11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU landed one of the top prospects in the college baseball transfer portal in Notre Dame outfielder Bino Watters. The lefty batter hit .362 with 10 home runs and 18 doubles as a sophomore last season and was named First-Team All-ACC. He joins a transfer class with Gonzaga pitcher Landon Hood and Texas State infielder Dawson Park.

A little league team in the north suburbs of Pittsburgh got a surprise visit from the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Monday evening. Paul Skenes was driving by Ingomar Franklin Park when he saw the lights on for a little league practice and decided to check it out. Eddie Dubis, a coach in the league and father of two of the kids, says it wasn’t long before 6-6 superstar was noticed. He says Skenes stayed to take pictures, sign autographs and play catch for two hours and made a lifelong memory for his kids.

Cut 4 (09) “…about it.”

Skenes followed the visit with a start against the Dodgers last night where he allowed just six hits and two runs in six innings and struck out seven in one of his best outings in nearly a month. The Pirates lost 12-3.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species.

Cut 13 (06) “…next four years.”

Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

Loyola University in New Orleans is making the move from NAIA to Division Two in the fall of 2027. The Wolfpack will compete in the Gulf South Conference. Vice president of the GSC board Daniel Ennis says Loyola is joining the SEC of D-II.

Cut 17 (12) “…accomplish both.”)

Loyola men’s basketball won a national championship in 2022 and it’s baseball team was in the NAIA World Series last spring.

10:30 LRN Newscast

She faced up to 17 years in prison; instead, she got 90 days. That was the sentence Judge Kent Savoie handed to former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, who was convicted back in March of having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution was not happy with the lenient sentence.

Cut 10 (11) “…for these crimes.”

The man convicted of killing a Covington priest and his caretaker in 2022 has been sentenced to life. St. Tammany Parish DA Collin Sims says Antonio Tyson will serve his sentence on Angola’s death row, but will not be executed because of his mental health issues…

Cut 8 (13) “….so we did”

 

LDWF will hold a special black-bellied whistling duck season that will run from October third to the 11th. Hunters can target black-bellied whistling ducks during the regular duck hunting season that runs from November into January, but Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says surveys indicate there is also an opportunity to harvest black bellied whistling ducks in early October…

Cut 14 (08) “…earlier in the year”

Sportsmen are not allowed to hunt Black-bellied whistling ducks during the September teal season, so now they have that opportunity in early October.

A little league team in the north suburbs of Pittsburgh got a surprise visit from the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Monday evening. Paul Skenes was driving by Ingomar Franklin Park when he saw the lights on for a little league practice and decided to check it out. Eddie Dubis, a coach in the league and father of two of the kids, says it only took a few minutes for the 6-6 superstar to be noticed.

Cut 3 (10) “…two hours.”

Skenes pitched well last night against the Dodgers, but the Pirates still lost to the two-time defending World Series champions.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts has been sentenced to 90 days in prison for having sex with a teenage boy during a pool party. The prosecution was looking for the max sentence, 17 years, because the illegal act occurred while she was mayor. Pamela Sleezer covered the trial for the American Press and says Judge Kent Savoie did not her elected position into consideration…

Cut 12 (07) “…this occurred”

Louisiana Radio Network distributed information to its affiliates that misidentified the former Mayor as Misti Cordell. LRN regrets the error.

Antonio Tyson will live the rest of his life on death row for the 2022 brutal murders of Father Otis Young of Covington and his caretaker Ruth Prats. ST. Tammany D-A Collin Sims says Tyson committed the murders after serving 30 years for charges of forcible rape, armed robbery and burglary…

Cut 9 (07) “….Department of Corrections”

Tyson will serve his life sentence on death row, but will not be put to death, because of his mental health issues.

According to the Louisiana Emergency Response Network, ATV and UTV wrecks cause 500 hospital trips a year, 100 of those are ICU visits, between nine and 14 result in deaths. That’s why the state is launching a Statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force Initiative. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission, says Louisiana 4-H has a nationally recognized training program, which they plan to promote…

Cut 5 (12) “…of these tragedies”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is providing a special black-bellied whistling duck hunting season. It will run from October 3rd to the 11th with a possession limit of 12. LDWF Waterfowl Program manager Jason Olszak says there’s been a growing abundance of this species…

Cut 15 (08) “…end of January”

08:30 LRN Newscast

Outrage in Beauregard Parish as a judge goes easy on a former mayor. Andrew Greenstein reports…:
Cut 2 (35) “I’m Andrew Greenstein”

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson received a prestigious national award Tuesday in Washington, D.C., recognizing her philanthropy, community service, and humanitarian efforts. Benson was named the 2026 recipient of the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award, presented by the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation.

Louisiana is launching a statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says hundreds of children and teens are hospitalized from ATV/UTV wrecks. He says parents often buy their kids a vehicle they can grow into…:
Cut 6 (09) “operating the vehicle”
Cripple says common causes of youth injury include reckless speeds and lack of proper safety equipment.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species…:
Cut 13 (06) “next four years”
Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

07:30 LRN Newscast

Citizens in Beauregard Parish are expressing disappointment in the 90 day sentence of former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts who had sex with a 16 year old while in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution sought 17 years…:
Cut 10 (11) “for these crimes”
Roberts also must pay a $5,000 fine, attend therapy and is ordered to stay away from the victim and his family.

4 years after killing a Covington priest and parishioner, Antonio Tyson pleaded guilty and was formally sentenced to spend the rest of his life on death row. St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims says they originally sought the death penalty but then medical records were disclosed showing Tyson had intellectual disabilities..:
Cut 7 (10) “resolve the case”
Tyson was charged in connection with the murders of Rev. Otis Young and his friend Ruth Prats.

The Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force is uniting law enforcement, education and healthcare professionals to protect young people across the state. Kace Kieschnick reports…:
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kace Kieschnick”

North Carolina State is reportedly investigating whether LSU violated state unfair trade practices laws during its hiring of men’s basketball coach Will Wade. School officials reportedly believe LSU may have helped Wade avoid a larger buyout payment. Wade paid a $4 million buyout to leave NC State, though his contract called for a $5 million buyout if he departed before April 1, and LSU announced his hiring on March 26.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Good outing for former LSU star Paul Skenes versus the two-time defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers last night. Skenes allowed two runs in six innings and struck out seven, but the Pirates bullpen was awful, and L-A won 12 to 3. The night before, Skenes did a really cool thing by spending two hours at a Pittsburgh Little League field playing catch and signing autographs and providing the thrill of a lifetime for the kids.

WRAL News in Raleigh is reporting that North Carolina State is investigating whether LSU violated the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act in its hiring of men’s basketball coach Will Wade. N-C State believes LSU may have worked to help Wade avoid a larger buyout fee. Wade paid a four-million dollar buyout. His contract called for him to pay a five-million dollar buyout if he left before April 1st. Wade was announced as LSU’s coach on March 26th.

___________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a special black-bellied whistling duck season that will run from October third to the 11th. Hunters can target black-bellied whistling ducks during the regular duck hunting season that runs from November into January, but LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says surveys indicate there is also an opportunity to harvest black bellied whistling ducks in early October…

Cut 14 (08) “…earlier in the year”

Hunters see Black-bellied whistling ducks during the September teal season and their numbers decline in the fall because they migrate to Mexico and Central America by early to mid-fall.

Loyola University in New Orleans is moving from N-A-I-A to Division Two and will compete in the Gulf South Conference starting in the Fall of 2027. The  move to Division Two will attract better athletes. Men’s basketball won an NAIA championship in 2022 and baseball was in the NAIA World Series last spring.

06:30 LRN Newscast

Several state agencies will come together today to officially launch the Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force, a statewide effort aimed at protecting young riders through education, awareness, and collaboration. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says ATV and UTV crashes send approximately 500 children and teenagers to the hospital each year…:
Cut 4 (08) “fatalities a year”
He says the task force aims to promote safe riding and increase awareness.

The former Mayor of Deridder, Misty Roberts, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. American Press Reporter Pamela Sleezer has been covering the trial and says the judge was swayed by the defense argument that Roberts was low risk for re-offense…:
Cut 11 (10) “sentencing and everything”
The prosecution argued for the maximum sentence of 17 years and are disappointed the judge showed leniency for a sex crime against a teenager.

Duck hunters can enjoy a special black-bellied whistling duck season beginning this year. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

NC State is reportedly investigating whether LSU improperly persuaded basketball coach Will Wade to break his contract with the Wolfpack and return to Baton Rouge. WRAL News in Raleigh says the school is also refusing to release LSU from potential legal action as it examines whether any state laws were violated in Wade’s departure. They say NC State believes LSU may have helped Wade avoid a larger buyout payment, based on correspondence between the two universities.

LRN AM Newscall June 10 ###Correction on the last name of the DeRidder story###

The Louisiana Youth ATV/UTV Safety Task Force is uniting law enforcement, education and healthcare professionals to protect young people across the state. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

Outrage in Beauregard Parish as a judge goes easy on a former mayor. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Duck hunters can enjoy a special black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________________

Louisiana is launching a statewide Youth ATV-UTV Safety Task Force. Jay Cripple with the New Orleans Regional Safety Commission says ATV and UTV wrecks result in 500 hospital trips per year and the most injured group is 10 to 19-year-olds.

Cut 4 (08) “…fatalities a year.”

The task force will be a collaboration between law enforcement, state, safety, education and healthcare officials with the goal of spreading awareness to Louisiana families. Cripple says one effort will be promoting the nationally-recognized training program offered by Louisiana 4-H.

Cut 5 (12) “…of these tragedies.”

Cripple says common causes of youth injury include reckless speeds, lack of proper safety equipment, and vehicles with size and power kids are unable to control. He says parents often buy their kids a vehicle they can grow into, which is not a good idea.

Cut 6 (09) “…operating the vehicle.”

___________________________________________________

A man who killed a Covington priest and his caretaker shortly after being released from prison will spend the rest of his natural life on death row. 49-year-old Antonio Tyson had pleaded guilty to first degree murder in the 2022 killings of Father Otis Young and Ruth Prats. St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims says he and the victims’ families had originally sought the death penalty; however, late disclosures regarding Tyson’s low IQ forced a change of direction.

Cut 7 (10) “…resolve the case.”

So Sims secured a plea deal which calls for Tyson to serve his life prison sentence on death row. He says it’s essentially a death sentence without the execution.

Cut 8 (13) “…so we did.”

Sims says what makes this case all the more tragic is that just months before killing Young and Prats, Tyson had been released from the Rayburn Correctional Facility after serving 30 years of a 40-year sentence for forcible rape, armed robbery and burglary.

Cut 9 (07)  “…Department of Corrections.”

As part of his plea deal, Tyson has agreed to waive all rights to pursue sentence reductions, judicial reviews or release mechanisms.

___________________________________________________

She faced up to 17 years in prison; instead, she got 90 days. That was the sentence Judge Kent Savoie handed to former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, who was convicted back in March of having sex with a 16-year-old boy while she was in office. Pamela Sleezer, who’s been covering the trial for the American Press, says the prosecution was not happy with the lenient sentence.

Cut 10 (11) “…for these crimes.”

The victim’s mother called the 44-year-old a predator with hair extensions in high heels during her impact statement. Sleezer says while Savoie acknowledged the mother’s statement, he considered other factors as well.

Cut 11 (10) “…sentencing and everything.”

During the sentencing, the prosecution implored Judge Savoie to be mindful of the fact that Roberts committed this crime while she was serving as mayor. Sleezer says Savoie was unfazed by that.

Cut 12 (11) “…that this occurred.”

Roberts must also pay a five-thousand-dollar fine, undergo regular drug screenings and psychological therapy, and register as a sex offender.

___________________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species.

Cut 13 (06)  “…next four years.”

Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

Olszak says the black-bellied whistling duck population has shown it can support more harvesting opportunities over the last two decades.

Cut 14 (08) “…in the year.”

The season will run later in the year than teal season due to the species’ late nesting. Olszak says historically, black-bellied whistling ducks left the state or gravitated towards urban areas, but recent research shows that’s changing.

Cut 15 (08) “…end of January.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Office of Motor Vehicle locations had to shut down today because of network outages. Thomas Mule’ (myoo-LAY) with the Office of Technology Services says connectivity issues began while installing new network equipment….

Cut 12 (08) “…started going out.”

But Mule says they have the connectivity issues ironed out and OMV offices are expected to be open tomorrow.

The Chairman of the Louisiana House Insurance Committee is considering a run for Congress. Gabe Firment from Grant Parish would run for the seat that fellow Republican Julia Letlow is leaving….

Cut 8 (10) “…sense to me.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols is planning on running in the fifth district. Qualifying is in the first week of August.

 

Meta announced the launch of America’s Workforce Academy, a nationwide AI infrastructure jobs training program with an academy in Baton Rouge. Meta Director of U.S. Policy Diana Doukas says the program will pay participants to train in a variety of jobs..

Cut 3 (09) “…next decade.”

The academy requires no prior experience and provides tuition, airfare and lodging. For more information go to meta-dot-com-backslash Americas-Workforce Academy.

The Louisiana America 250 commission is hosting a free Fourth of July concert in downtown Baton Rouge. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says there will be live music in Repentance Park starting at 2 p.m. and culminating with a big fireworks show over the Mississippi River…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to America.”

The concert will feature performances from local stars Amanda Shaw, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., John Schneider and Wayne Toups

4:45 LRN Sportscast

We’re a week away from mandatory veteran mandatory minicamp, and defensive end Cameron Jordan is still a free agent. The Saints allowed the 36-year-old to hit the open market for the first time in his fifteen-year career this offseason. Jordan led the team with ten-and-a-half sacks last season, and his pass rush partner Chase Young told NFL Network he’s a difference maker on and off the field.

Cut 16 (13) “…in the building.”

Young is expected to join seventh-year edge rusher Carl Granderson as the week one starters.

UL Lafayette welcomed another round of recruiting commitments after hosting visits this weekend. Three-star University Lab defensive lineman Maison Smith and St. Thomas Moore Safety Landen Ortte decided to stay in-state. The Cajuns added Texas-native Caleb White at corner. UL’s 2027 class now features 7 commits and ranks second in the Sun Belt.

Vandebilt Catholic swept the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 4A awards. Sophomore Corey Bourgeois was baseball’s Most Outstanding Player, hitting. 547 with 43 RBIs, 13 doubles, three triples and four home runs. He was also 6-and-3 as a pitcher with a 2.60 ERA and 45 strikeouts. The Most Outstanding Player in softball was senior Lauren Baudoin. The Nicholls State signee was 20-and-1 in the circle with 172 strikeouts and a 1.28 ERA in 125 innings. She also hit .402 with six home runs and led the Terriers to their third straight state title.

Ex-LSU star Joe Burrow restructured his contract to clear up ten-million-dollars in cap space for the Bengals. The move is partially due to the trade Cincinnati made for Giants All-Pro D-tackle Dexter Lawrence before the draft.

Former Louisiana Tech star L’Jarius Sneed is returning to Kansas City on a one-year five-million-dollar deal. The corner was drafted in the fourth round by the Chiefs in 2020 and played a pivotal role in their two Super Bowls. He was traded to the Titans in 2024 and inked a four-year deal that was cut short due to injuries.