LRN AM Newscall

John Fleming and Julia Letlow each made the case during a debate on the Moon Griffon Show that he or she is the most conservative candidate in the U.S. Senate Republican primary. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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2025 was a big year of tourism for Louisiana, but it could have been better. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The House Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that increase the salaries of statewide elected officials. Joe Gallinaro reports the bill heads to the House floor for further debate.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A lot of allegations have been tossed around in the US Senate Republican primary. Two of the candidates in the race had to address those during a 90-minute debate on the Moon Griffon Show. Congresswoman Julia Letlow is accused of breaking the law for failing to disclose more than 200 stock trades. Letlow says she did not break federal law as her stocks are handled by a second pary…

Cut 4 (11) “…that’s absolutely ludicrous.”

Letlow and John Fleming are challenging two-term incumbent Bill Cassidy. President Trump has endorsed Letlow, but Fleming, who served in Trump’s administration during his first presidency, says he also has the president’s backing…

Cut 5 (13) “…his very words.”

Cassidy did not participate in the debate. Fleming and Letlow spent much of the debate trying to prove to voters they are the true conservative in the race. Fleming says Letlow is not a fiscal conservative…

Cut 6 (10) “…cut back spending.”

Letlow accused Fleming of being pro carbon capture and sequestration…

Cut 7 (14) “…time in Congress.”

Fleming says Letlow is not telling the truth as his Congressional record shows he stoon strong against carbon capture and sequestration.

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2025 was another big year for tourism in Louisiana, with 45-million people visiting the state. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says those visitors spent big while in the state, generating very valuable tax revenue.

Cut 8 (11) “…have to pay.”

While New Orleans is obviously the runaway leader in terms of cities, Nungesser says the state has been very aggressive in marketing the entire state as a great place to visit.

Cut 9 (13)  “…to big cities.”

Louisiana’s tourism numbers in 2025 were bolstered by domestic visitors. Nungesser says foreign travel to Louisiana was down last year, particularly from Canada, which has historically been Louisiana’s largest market for foreign visitors. Nungesser says travel agents in Canada have expressed serious concerns to him on behalf of travelers from their country.

Cut 10 (10) “…over so well.”

Nungesser says he expects a rebound in foreign travel starting next year, when New Orleans hosts the IPW Convention, which is the travel industry’s biggest convention.

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With May having some of the best weather of the year in Louisiana, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is urging you to make an extra effort to watch for motorcycles on the roadway. Spokesman Greg Fischer says motorcycles are more difficult to see on the road than other vehicles.

Cut 11 (10) “…road user here.”

Fischer says when motorcycle riders are involved in crashes, the results are almost always more devastating than if they’re in cars or SUVs, since there’s nothing around them to protect them. And while progress is being made, 2024 was still a deadly year for motorcycle riders.

Cut 12 (09) “…lost 93 riders.”

Of course, motorcycle riders need to do their part as well in staying safe. That includes not speeding, not riding in a foolish manner, and complying with Louisiana law by wearing DOT-approved helmets, which Fischer says are proven to save lives, based on numbers from 2017.

Cut 13 (13)  “…wearing a helmet.”

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A bill that would significantly increase the salaries of the governor and other statewide elected officials received pushback, but the House Appropriations Committee approved the proposal. The measure would increase the governor’s salary from 130-thousand dollars to 182-thousand dollars starting in 2028. Bruce Reilly, the deputy director of “VOTE,” told committee members that’s a huge raise for a state that has a lot of problems.

Cut 14 (11) “…to your governor.”

Actually the raise would be 52-thousand dollars, and the other statewide elected officials would also see their pay increase by 41-thousand dollars to an annual salary of 156-thousand dollars.

The bill also provides legislators with additional per diem and the ability to collect a 178-dollar daily stipend when performing legislative duties on days outside of the session. This money would be on top of the 16,800 dollars state lawmakers receive annually.

Rosepine Representative Charles Owen admits the pay is not great to be a legislator, but he can’t vote for this bill.

Cut 15 (06) “…face and explaining.”

Harahan Representative John Illg is the author of the legislation, and he says statewide elected officials haven’t seen a pay raise in 20 years.

Cut 16 (11) “…down the road.”

Illg says it’s very difficult to hold down a full-time job, plus perform your duties as a state legislator. He’s worried the low pay that state legislators currently receive will keep younger people from wanting to be a state lawmaker.

Cut 17 (07)  “…don’t address this.”

The measure passed on an 18-to-4 vote and heads to the House floor for more discussion.

5:30 LRN Newscast

A bill that would significantly increase the salaries of the governor and other statewide elected officials receives pushback, but the House Appropriations Committee advanced it. The author, Harahan representative John Illg, says statewide elected officials haven’t seen a pay raise in 20 years

Cut 16 (11) “…down the road.”

The measure would increase the governor’s salary from 130-thousand dollars to 182-thousand dollars starting in 2028. Bruce Reilly, the deputy director of “VOTE,” told committee members that’s a huge raise for a state that has a lot of problems.

Cut 14 (12) “…your governor.”

Actually the raise would be 52-thousand dollars.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will begin public discussion on a new congressional map Friday after the Supreme Court declared the current one an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Tyler Bridges, a political reporter with The Advocate, says whatever new map is adopted will likely lead to the ouster of Cleo Fields, Troy Carter – or both.

Cut 4 (09) “…Black Democratic seats.”

That Supreme Court decision led Governor Landry to suspend the U.S. House primaries, and that in turn led two Baton Rouge residents to launch a recall campaign against him. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says they have until October 31st to collect more than 500-thousand signatures from voters throughout the state, accounting for 20-percent of the state’s registered voters.

Cut 11 (11) “…are very low.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team seeks its fifth straight win tonight when they take on Tulane. The Tigers swept South Carolina last weekend. Koki Riley, who covers LSU baseball for the Advocate and Nola-dot-com, says LSU took advantage of a weak hitting Gamecocks team…

Cut 27 (12) “…they did”

LSU has looked better offensively the last two weeks. Freshman Mason Braun has been really good as a lead-off man. He had six walks against South Carolina and his on base percentage is a team high .474.

In other action tonight…Louisiana Tech hosts Northwestern State. Nicholls is at 11th ranked Mississippi State and ULM hosts Mississippi Valley State.

ULM Softball Coach Molly Fichtner has been named Sun Belt Softball Coach of the Year. The Warhawks are the number one seed in the Sun Belt tourney that begins tomorrow in Lafayette.

 

The Ragin Cajuns have won five in a row heading into tonight’s game against UNO. Coach Matt Deggs likes how his team is playing and he’s trying to stay out of their way…

Cut 22 (12) “….good job of that”

First pitch tonight is at 6 PM>

It’s been reported that La Tech paid at least eight-million dollars to end its relationship with Conference USA. Financial terms have not been released, but Bulldogs athletics director Ryan Ivey says financially it’s a good move, as travel costs will be reduced.

Cut 20 (18) “…a net positive.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Julia Letlow and John Fleming went head-to-head in a 90-minute debate on the Moon Griffon Show this morning. Letlow has been accused of being in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The congresswoman says she has actually spent the last five years working against the D-E-I movement.

Cut 9 (15)  “…holding people down.”

While early voting in the Senate primary is going on right now, the House primaries are on hold following the Supreme Court ruling on the congressional map. Tyler Bridges, a political reporter for The Advocate, says it all started with a lawsuit filed by a group of voters who didn’t like the current map.

Cut 3 (10) “…with that view.”

Two Baton Rouge residents launch a recall effort against Governor Landry in the wake of his suspension of the U.S. House primaries. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

A 15-year-old girl who had been missing for two years has been found. Police in St. Gabriel say they found the girl inside a vehicle after they made contact with Lionel Moore for urinating in a street. DCFS was contacted to assist the girl. Moore was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of East Baton Rouge Parish.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry is facing a recall petition for suspending the U-S House elections. Two residents in Baton Rouge filed the recall petition because they believe the governor has a pattern of undermining fair representation. The petitioners need about 500-thousand signatures by October 31st to force a recall vote and LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says the chances of the recall effort being successful are very slim…

Cut 12 (11) “…his redistricting efforts”

State Treasurer John Fleming used today’s US Senate Republican Primary debate on the Moon Griffon show to set the record straight on his record when it comes border security…

Cut 8 (14) “…65-percent”

Julia Letlow said accusations that she supports D-E-I initiatives is completely false. Bill Cassidy did not participate in the debate.

 

The U-S Supreme Court says its ruling that Louisiana’s Congressional map is unconstitutional is effective immediately, bypassing the standard 32-day waiting period. But as Andrew Greenstein reports there are still lawsuits pending that are seeking to reinstate the U-S House elections that have been suspended by the governor….

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Secretary of State’s office says 42-thousand Louisianans voted absentee before Governor Landry suspended the U-S House primaries. The votes made in the U-S House races will not be counted.

LRN PM Newscall May 5

While the Supreme Court expedited the release of its ruling that declared Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional, a lawsuit seeking to reinstate the current U.S. House elections is still pending in federal court. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two Baton Rouge residents launch a recall effort against Governor Landry in the wake of his suspension of the U.S. House primaries. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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While the Supreme Court expedited the release of its ruling that declared Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional, a lawsuit seeking to reinstate the U.S. House primaries on the grounds of the process already being underway is still pending. How did we get to this point? Tyler Bridges, a political report for The Advocate, says it all started with a lawsuit filed by a group of voters who didn’t like the current map.

Cut 3 (10) “…with that view.”

In fact, even though Governor Landry cancelled the House primary last Thursday, the races still appear on voting machines.

Meanwhile, bills had previously been filed to address the state’s congressional map in case a Supreme Court ruling came down during the session, and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will begin public discussion Friday. Bridges says whatever new map is adopted will likely lead to the ouster of Cleo Fields, Troy Carter – or both.

Cut 4 (09) “…Black Democratic seats.”

Bridges says once a new map is adopted, the U.S. House election process would start all over again, and time will be of the essence.

Cut 5 (13) “…be in December.”

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Two of the main candidates in the U.S. Senate Republican primary faced off in a 90-minute debate during the Moon Griffon Show. Congresswoman Julia Letlow immediately went after Senator Bill Cassidy, who was not at the debate. She says it was a horrible decision by Cassidy to vote in 2021 to convict then-former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Cut 6 (13) “…to convict him.”

State Treasurer John Fleming used this opportunity to criticize Letlow for not coming out publicly and questioning the result of the 2020 Presidential race.

Cut 7 (14) “…disagree with that.”

Fleming has been on the receiving end of a third-party attack ad associated with Governor Jeff Landry that accuses the former congressman of being weak on border security. The attack ad has video of Fleming saying there are not enough illegal aliens in the U.S. when talking about the need for migrant workers. Fleming used today’s debate to say he’s all for secure borders.

Cut 8 (14) “…dismal 65-percent.”

Letlow has been accused of being in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The congresswoman says she has actually spent the last five years working against the D-E-I movement.

Cut 9 (15)  “…holding people down.”

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After Governor Landry suspended the U.S. House primary elections following last Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling, two Baton Rouge residents have launched a recall campaign against him. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Louisiana is one of 19 states which permit the recall of governors.

Cut 10 (10) “…them from office.”

Marian Hills and Kaitlyn Stepter filed the petition following what supporters say is a pattern of actions and statements that undermine fair representation. Hogan says they now have until October 31st to collect more than 500-thousand signatures from voters throughout the state, accounting for 20-percent of all registered voters in the state.

Cut 11 (11) “…are very low.”

If they’re able to get enough signatures, local election officials must verify the signatures; and if the number of verified signatures reaches the required number, a recall election against Landry will be triggered. Hogan says even if it gets to that point, it’s unlikely that it will be successful.

Cut 12 (11) “…his redistricting efforts.”

In the history of the U.S., only four gubernatorial recall efforts have ever made it to the voters. North Dakota voters ousted Lynn Frazier in 2021, and California voters kicked Gray Davis out of office in 2003. Nine years later, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker survived a recall effort against him; and in 2021, California voters kept Gavin Newsom in office.

 

2:30 LRN Newscast

Two of the main candidates in the U-S Senate Republican Primary faced off in a 90-minute debate during the Moon Griffon Show. Congresswoman Julia Letlow immediately went after Senator Bill Cassidy, who was not at the debate. She says it was a horrible decision by Cassidy to vote in 2021 to convict at that time former President Donald Trump for his role in the January sixth attack on the U-S Capitol.

Cut 6 (13) “…to convict him.”

State Treasurer John Fleming used this opportunity to criticize Letlow for not coming out publicly and questioning the result of the 2020 presidential race.

Cut 7 (14) “…with it.”

After Governor Landry suspended the U.S. House primary elections following last Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling, two Baton Rouge residents have launched a recall campaign against him. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Louisiana is one of 19 states which permit the recall of governors.

Cut 10 (10) “…them from office.”

Organizers have until October 31st to collect just over 500-thousand signatures from registered voters throughout the state.

As for the House primary, Tyler Bridges, a political reporter with The Advocate, says once the legislature adopts a new congressional map, the U.S. House election process will start all over again from square one, and time will be of the essence.

Cut 5 (13) “…be in December.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Before the start of the legislative session, bills had been filed to address the state’s congressional map in case a Supreme Court ruling came down during the session, and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will begin public discussion Friday. Tyler Bridges, a political reporter with The Advocate, says whatever new map is adopted will likely lead to the ouster of Cleo Fields, Troy Carter – or both.

Cut 4 (09) “…Black Democratic seats.”

John Fleming and Julia Letlow held a 90-minute debate this morning on the Moon Griffon Show. Fleming, who’s been accused of being weak on border security in a third-party attack ad connected with Governor Landry, used the occasion to say he’s all for secure borders.

Cut 8 (14) “…65-percent.”

Two Baton Rouge residents launch a recall effort against Governor Landry in the wake of his suspension of the U.S. House primaries. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Gas prices jumped again overnight. Triple-A says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.92. That’s up 2 cents from yesterday, and nearly 20 cents higher than a week ago.

Jazz Fest organizers announced the attendance for the 2026 Festival over the 8 days topped 475-thousand.

12:30 LRN Newscast

After Governor Landry suspended the U.S. House primary elections following last Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling, two Baton Rouge residents have launched a recall campaign against him. Marian Hills and Kaitlyn Stepter filed the petition following what supporters say is a pattern of actions and statements that undermine fair representation. ULM political science professor Robert Hogan says they have 180 days to collect more than 500-thousand signatures.

Cut 10 (11) “…are very low.”

Today’s debate on the Moon Griffon Show involving two of the candidates in the U-S Senate Republican primary was an opportunity for them to respond to the negative campaigning against them. Both Bill Cassidy and John Fleming have described Julia Letlow as some who supports diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The Congresswoman says she has actually spent the last five years working against the D-E-I movement…

Cut 9 (15) “…people down”

 

While the Supreme Court expedited the release of its ruling that declared Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional, a lawsuit seeking to reinstate the current U.S. House elections is still pending in federal court. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Secretary of State’s office received 42-thousand absentee ballots from voters for the May 16th election before Governor Landry suspended the primaries for the state’s six U-S House races. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says votes for the U-S House races will not be counted.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Tonight the LSU baseball team will host Tulane for its final midweek game of the season. The Tigers have seven regular season games left and Coach Jay Johnson said on his radio show last night that they need to win at least five of those games for a chance at making the NCAA Tournament.

ULM is in a four-way tie for tenth place in the Sun Belt and the top ten teams make the Sun Belt Tournament. Coach Ford Pemberton’s team has just two conference wins over the last three weekends, despite some good performances on the mound.

Cut 16 (14) “…into this thing.”

ULM baseball will host Mississippi Valley State tonight.

 

Also in north Louisiana tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts ULM.

 

The Ragin Cajuns have won five in a row heading into tonight’s game against UNO. Coach Matt Deggs likes how his team is playing and he’s trying to stay out of their way…

Cut 22 (12) “….good job of that”

First pitch tonight is at 6 PM>

It’s been reported that La Tech paid at least eight-million dollars to end its relationship with Conference USA. Financial terms have not been released, but Bulldogs athletics director Ryan Ivey says financially it’s a good move, as travel costs will be reduced.

Cut 20 (18) “…a net positive.”

In October, Tech will play all of its football games in northeast Louisiana and no more games on Tuesday and Wednesday night.