3:30 LRN Newscast

With another weekend of football ahead, all eyes are on the weather. That’s because thunderstorms could cause delays throughout the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says any thunderstorms that develop this evening should move out pretty quickly. However, tomorrow could be a different story.

Cut 3 (11) “…bit more prolonged.”

As far as rainfall totals go, Grymes says those numbers have come down from the original forecast, with the heaviest amounts being in southeast Louisiana.

Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. The others are Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Ohio; and Valdosta, Georgia – none of which, according to Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, could compete with Baton Rouge.

Cut 13 (07) “…put on festivities.”

The attorneys for an LSU football player accused of rape say in a statement that their client is maintaining his innocence and will fully cooperate with the investigation. An LSU student has accused second-year defensive end Damien Shanklin of raping her last year. His punishment was reduced this fall from a two-semester suspension to probation.

Shanklin and his teammates host McNeese tomorrow, but the big question is: will starting quarterback Sam Leavitt play? Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

Mother nature could be a factor on the gridiron this weekend. Thunderstorms aren’t expected to be much of a factor tonight, but they could delay a kickoff or two tomorrow. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says rainfall amounts have come down from the original forecast, with the heaviest amounts being in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 5 (14) “…come down markedly.”

The best public high school teachers in the country can be found at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches. The 2027 Niche rankings also rank the school as the best public high school in the country for STEM. But LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Jason Anderson says there’s more to the school than academics.

Cut 7 (09) “…young people grow.”

Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. It’s competing with Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Ohio; and Valdosta, Georgia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says landing the National High School Football Hall of Fame would be a huge win for Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

Cut 14 (06) “…year after year.”

As LSU gets set to take on McNeese, the big question is whether quarterback Sam Leavitt will play, as he nurses a hamstring injury. WAFB Sports Director Jacques Doucet says the situation reminds him of Garrett Nussmeier starting against Southeastern last season while he dealt with nagging injuries. He thinks LSU should keep Leavitt on the sideline, but he says that adds another risk.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing wrong.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

We are about a month away from the November 3rd election and in the U-S Senate race, Democrat Jamie Davis has released two polls that show he’s only trailing Republican Julia Letlow by a few percentage points. Davis told Louisiana Radio Network he’s actually leading Letlow when respondents were told of the candidates’ backgrounds.

Cut 15 (07) “…a plus-nine.”

Earlier this week on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Letlow called it a bogus poll.

Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. It would honor the best high school players, coaches, teams and contributors and would preserve high school football history through exhibits and memorabilia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser nominated Baton Rouge…

Cut 12 (06) “…in Baton Rouge.”

An official announcement could be made later this month or in November.

 

The ex-finance of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, Ken Urker, has been found dead in his Raceland home and Lafourche Parish authorities say it appears it was an overdose death. Blanchard told People magazine Urker was not in a good state of mind lately. Blanchard is know for killing her mother Dee Dee Blanchard, after her mother tricked her into thinking she had serious diseases in order to receive community support and money.

There are several college football games in the state tomorrow, will the weather cooperate? Andrew Greenstein reports….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

LRN PM Newscall October 2

There are several college football games in the state tomorrow, will the weather cooperate? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow, but the big question is: will starting quarterback Sam Leavitt play? Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

With another weekend of football ahead, all eyes are on the weather. That’s because thunderstorms could cause delays throughout the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says any thunderstorms that develop this evening should move out pretty quickly. However, tomorrow could be a different story.

Cut 3 (11) “…bit more prolonged.”

There are several college football games scheduled for Saturday evening, and Grymes says if thunderstorms delay any kickoff times, the delays shouldn’t be too significant…

Cut 4 (11) “…way it looks.”

As far as rainfall totals go, Grymes says those numbers have come down from the original forecast, with the heaviest amounts being in southeast Louisiana.

Cut 5 (14) “…come down markedly.”

Grymes says north Louisiana, where the worst of the drought currently is, will be lucky to get an inch of rain by the time the system pushes out of the state at the end of the weekend.

____________________________________________

The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches is ranked number one in the country for the best public high school teachers, according to the 2027 Niche rankings. LSMSA Executive Director Doctor Jason Anderson says students are challenged to pursue excellence, while learning from faculty who model those same values…

Cut 6 (08) “…every day.”

LSMSA was founded in 1983 as a residential high school for high-achieving students. Niche also ranks it as the nation’s best public high school for STEM. But Anderson says there’s more to the school than academics…

Cut 7 (09) “..young people.”

LSMSA faculty members are required to have at least a master’s degree in the subjects they teach, and 85-percent have a Ph.D., M-F-A or another terminal degree in their field. Anderson says that level of expertise makes the faculty…

Cut 8 (09) “…remarkable.”

LSMSA has 287 students from across Louisiana.

Anderson says students looking to take the next step in their academic journey should consider whether LSMSA is the right fit for them.

____________________________________________

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played through a hamstring injury against Texas A&M last week, but coach Lane Kiffin said that he would be cautious playing him against McNeese tomorrow. With the Tigers favored by over 50 points, LSU Radio sideline reporter Gordy Rush says he shouldn’t play at all.

Cut 9 (14)  “…next week.”

WAFB Sports Director Jacques Doucet says the situation reminds him of Garrett Nussmeier starting against Southeastern last season while he dealt with nagging injuries. He thinks LSU should keep Leavitt on the sideline but says that adds another risk.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing wrong.” 

Leavitt could get the start but be pulled shortly after. That is what Zach Nagy with 247Sports thinks. He says the Tigers need to be especially careful with their starting quarterback for the long term.

Cut 11 (13) “…ramps up more.”

____________________________________________

Baton Rouge is among the finalists to become the permanent home of the National High School Football Hall of Fame. It would honor the best high school players, coaches, teams and contributors and would preserve high school football history through exhibits and memorabilia. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser nominated Baton Rouge…

Cut 12 (06) “…in Baton Rouge.” 

The other finalists are Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Ohio; and Valdosta, Georgia – none of which, according to Nungesser, could compete with Baton Rouge.

Cut 13 (07) “…put on festivities.”

Nungesser says landing the National High School Football Hall of Fame would be a huge win for Baton Rouge and Louisiana.

Cut 14 (06) “…year after year.”

An official announcement could be made later this month or in November.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The weather forecast calls for a wet weekend, especially for south Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through Sunday with the potential for flash flooding beginning on Saturday and lasting through Monday. Grymes says if you are going to a game in Lafayette or Baton Rouge on Saturday night, here’s what to expect…

Cut 4 (11) “…it looks”

The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches is ranked number one in the country for the best public high school teachers, according to the 2027 Niche rankings. LSMSA Executive Director Doctor Jason Anderson says students are challenged to pursue excellence, while learning from faculty who model those same values…

Cut 6 (08) “…every day.”

 

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played through a hamstring injury against Texas A&M last week, but coach Lane Kiffin said that he would be cautious playing him against McNeese tomorrow. With the Tigers favored by over 50 points, LSU Radio sideline reporter Gordy Rush says he shouldn’t play at all.

Cut 9 (12)  “…next week.”

The Saints are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the “Domecoming” against the Falcons on Monday. Although kickoff is not until 7:15, the celebration begins at 4:00 in Champions Square, where Steve Gleason’s new music album, “Rebirth,” will debut. Shirin Braden, the VP of brand strategy for the Saints, says Irma Thomas will sing the national anthem, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will headline a halftime show featuring Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile and Cyril and Ivan Neville.

Cut 30 (08) “…to the dome.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU hosts McNeese tomorrow at 6. A lot of young talent could make appearances against the Cowboys, as coach Lane Kiffin expressed concerns about keeping the starters healthy. Redshirt freshman safety Jhase Thomas made his first start last week and says he was able to get advice from a lot of veterans on the LSU defense as he prepared to face the Aggies.

Cut 18 (16) “…get myself prepared.”

The Tigers and Cowboys are scheduled to kick off at 6:45 in Tiger Stadium.

The Saints will be without running back Travis Etienne for at least the next four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve. Head coach Kellen Moore says the team will turn to Lavin Kamara and Kendre Miller.

Cut 21 (10) “…these guys.”

New Orleans signed former Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley to the practice squad.

Former LSU Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for the Commanders’ matchup with the Colts on Sunday. It is the second straight week Daniels will be sidelined with a dislocated left elbow. He chose not to have surgery on the elbow and plans to wear a brace so he can come back as soon as possible.

Louisiana Tech returns from the bye week with a home game against Army. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie did not confirm whether starting quarterback Blake Baker would be back from a fractured throwing hand he suffered against LSU. Trey Kukuk started against Baylor, and Cumbie says the offense is the same no matter who is under center.

Cut 20 (15) “…of the football.”

Kickoff in Joe Aillet Stadium is at 6:30.

UL Lafayette and ULM both open Sun Belt play tomorrow. The Warhawks head to South Alabama to face the Jaguars at 6, and the Ragin’ Cajuns host Arkansas State at 7.

In the Southland, Northwestern State goes on the road to face Lamar, and Nicholls visits Houston Christian at 6.

In SWAC play, Grambling hosts Alcorn State at 2:00, and Southern welcomes Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:00.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser returned this week from a nine-day visit to Japan as he’s trying to grow visitation from the Land of the Rising Sun….

Cut 6 (07) “…several years”

Japan is the second largest overseas visitor market to the United States. Japan is the tenth largest overseas market for travel to Louisiana, with about 10-thousand visitors from that country coming to the state in 2025.

With another weekend of football ahead, all eyes are on the weather. That’s because thunderstorms could cause delays throughout the state. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says any thunderstorms that develop this evening should move out pretty quickly. However, tomorrow could be a different story.

Cut 3 (11) “…bit more prolonged.”

 

Just over 20 years after Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt, the Saints and Falcons will return to the Superdome on Monday Night Football. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Saints running back Travis Etienne has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which means he will not play again until Week 9.

 

Will LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt play tomorrow? That’s the big question mark heading into the matchup against the McNeese Cowboys.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Election Day is one month from tomorrow, and Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis are in a mad dash to the finish line in the U.S. Senate race. Letlow tells Brian Haldane on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge that speaking directly with voters is more effective than the traditional rally and stump speech.

Cut 14 (08) “…and over again.”

Once the general election matchup was decided, political analysts had predicted a decisive Letlow victory.  As such, there have been only two publicly-released polls, both of which were commissioned by the Davis campaign. Both of them show only a four-point margin between the two. Davis says given the fact that he’s within striking distance of Letlow, he’s been busy traveling the state, trying to meet as many voters as he can.

Cut 16 (10) “…people of Louisiana.”

The ULM School of Construction Management gets a 229-thousand-dollar donation from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund. School Director Dr. Clint Martin says among other things, the money will come in handy for external events the school participates in every year, including a Mardi Gras parade, for which they have a float.

Cut 8 (07) “…over the years.”

The Saints will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their return to the Superdome Monday night against the Falcons. Steve Gleason, who made the single most famous play in the team’s regular season history, will be among those honored at the game. Saints VP of Brand Strategy Shirin Braden says Team Gleason has been very involved in ensuring Monday night is unforgettable.

Cut 12 (07) “…Who Dat chant.”

Also among those being honored will be Curtis Deloatch, who recovered Gleason’s blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is back from a trip to Japan, where he fed Japanese people gumbo and Tabasco ice cream.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Board of Regents member Wilbert Pryor made waves when he suggested that ULL, ULM and Louisiana Tech drop down from the FBS to the FCS to reduce athletics costs, as all three schools are 10s of millions in the red. He told KSLA-TV in Shreveport that he did not expect as much fan pushback as he has received for his comments in a closed budget meeting. Some fans have gone as far as to support an online petition asking for Pryor’s resignation from the board.

The Saints are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the “Domecoming” against the Falcons on Monday. Although kickoff is not until 7:15, the celebration begins at 4:00 in Champions Square, where Steve Gleason’s new music album, “Rebirth,” will debut. Shirin Braden, the VP of brand strategy for the Saints, says Irma Thomas will sing the national anthem, and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will headline a halftime show featuring Eric Church, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile and Cyril and Ivan Neville.

Cut 11 (08) “…to the dome.”

Just over a month away from the November 3rd election, the U.S. Senate race between Julia Letlow and Jamie Davis is in the final stretch. Letlow was believed to be the heavy favorite, but the only two opinion polls publicly released during the campaign show her leading by only four percentage points. Davis’s campaign commissioned both polls, and he says the margin in the latter poll was the response before respondents were told of the candidates’ backgrounds.

Cut 15 (07) “…a plus-nine.”

Letlow calls it a bogus poll

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

He’s back home from a nine-day trip to Japan and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser hopes the effort will mean more Japanese visitors to our state.  Conducted in partnership with Mississippi River Country, the trip included representatives from seven states. The Louisiana delegation participated in the Tourism EXPO Japan, where they gave out samples of Tabasco ice cream.

Cut 5 (13) “…coming to Louisiana.”

ULM School of Construction Management has received 229-thousand dollars from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund. School Director Dr. Clint Martin says the school gets similar donations from those two entities every year, and has a big impact on…

Cut 9 (12)  “…the licensing board.”

———————–

Just over 20 years after Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt, the Saints and Falcons will return to the Superdome on Monday Night Football. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LSU is back in action tomorrow night against McNeese. Coach Lane Kiffin said we could see a lot of backups in as the Tigers look to avoid any more injuries.  Kickoff for the Tigers versus the Cowboys is set for 6:45 in Tiger Stadium.