11:40 LRN Sportscast

In a one-on-one interview with WAFB-TV sports director Jacques Doucet, football coach Brian Kelly says LSU is not in the market of buying players. Kelly’s comments come after the school missed out on signing two of the top defensive tackles in the transfer portal.

It’s believed Damonic Williams and Simeon Barrow received lucrative NIL deals in their decisions to commit to Oklahoma and Miami respectively.

Kelly says unfortunately there are some guys who are looking to be bought and they are not going to go out and buy players. The coach says there are very generous NIL opportunities through their collective, but they are interested in developing players for the NFL like they did with Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, and  Malik Nabers, who all went in the first round of the NFL draft this year.

Kelly also points out three LSU defensive lineman were drafted this year.

11:30 Newscast May 8

A bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s near total abortion ban in Louisiana for minors fails along party lines to advance from House Criminal Justice. New Orleans Democrat Representative Alonzo Knox supports the bill and says forcing a child to give birth to a rapist’s baby is unthinkable…

Cut 10 (11) “…disgusting way.”

Opponents say pregnancies should be carried to term no matter what led to conception.

The Louisiana House approves a bill calling for a constitutional convention. It would begin on August 1st instead of May 20th as originally proposed, so there’s more time to discuss how the constitution will be updated. But Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is skeptical…
cut 14 (12) “….not true”
The measure heads to the Senate.

Since Louisiana’s latest congressional map was thrown out by a three-judge-panel, they’ve given the legislature until June 3rd to draw a new one or they will impose their own map for the November election. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

In baseball LSU made a huge comeback to beat Northwestern State six to five. The Tigers were down five to two in the 5th inning and U-L Lafayette shutout Jackson State 5-0.

10:30 LRN Newscast May 8

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s near-total abortion ban failed to get out of a House committee. It’s a personal issue for bill author and New Orleans Democratic Representative Delisha Boyd. Boyd whose mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (07) “…these children.” 

The bill was amended to only add exceptions if the victim is under the age of 17.

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

The bill failed along party lines seven to four to advance from  House Governmental Affairs.

A three-judge federal panel that rejected the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year has ordered the legislature to come up with a new map by June 3rd or the courts will draw the map. But Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they need a map by May 15th for the November election. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the federal court system has put the state in a tough position…
cut 16 (06) “….more and more bizarre”

A Senate-approved bill requiring public school students to either turn off or stow away their cell phones during instructional time receives approval from House Education. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says during an active shooter situation, students should be focusing on hiding and being quiet…

Cut 7 (07) “…safety protocol.”

Her bill now heads to the House floor, if it passes it would go in effect next school year.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has voted to hold a Constitutional Convention to make significant changes to the state’s constitution. The start date of the proposed convention has been pushed back from May 20th to August 1st. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu explains why…
Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.”
The measure heads to the Senate and the Senate is not entirely on board with having a convention this year.

A Senate-approved bill to require public school students to either turn off or stow away their cell phones during instructional time receives approval from the House Education Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell wants to eliminate what is sometimes a major distraction from the classroom…
Cut 4 (07) “…go learn”
The measure heads to the House floor. It’s already passed the Senate so it’s close to reaching the governor’s desk. If signed into law, it will go into effect for the next school year.

A bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban when the victim is under the age of 17 fails in committee after emotional debate. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Baton Rouge porn star Stormy Daniels took to the witness stand yesterday in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Prosecutors allege Trump paid Daniels 130-thousand dollars to keep quiet about a sexual encounter. Trump denies having sex with her. But Daniels said they did have sex after meeting at a celebrity golf tournament in 2006. Daniels kept quiet about the incident until Trump’s 2016 presidential bid and that’s when she says she negotiated a payment with Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has signed a property insurance reform package into law, but there is skepticism over whether they’ll help bring down rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the bills will rebalance the regulatory and legal environment of the insurance market, which will spur more competition, driving rates down…
cut 28 (10) “…other states’ \
But opponents of the bills say the legislation will only allow insurance companies to improve their profit margin.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that calls for a constitutional convention. It would begin on August 1st instead of May 20th as originally proposed, so there’s more time to discuss how the constitution will be reorganized. But Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is skeptical that this is just a refresh of the constitution…
cut 14 (12) “….not true”
The measure heads to the Senate.

A bill to provide exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban failed to receive approval from a House committee. Greenwell Springs Republican, Representative Lauren Ventrella questioned Delisha Boyd on the enforcement of the bill, asking how you would know if someone was telling the truth that they were raped. Boyd responded by asking how would you know if a nine-year-old was raped?
Cut 11 (12) “…you know?”
The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

A bill that would require public school students to have their phones off or stowed away during instructional time is nearing final legislative passage. The House Education Committee approved this bill that’s received Senate approval. Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine did express concern about students not having a phone during an emergency…
cut 6 (11) “….active shooter situation”
But supporters of the legislation says adults will be the ones contacting police.

7:30 LRN Newscast

On a 75-27 vote, the Louisiana House approves legislation that calls for a constitutional convention so lawmakers and delegates chosen by the governor can make several changes to the state constitution. The bill was amended to change the start date from May 20th to August 1st and New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says there will be convention committee hearings in June and July…
cut 13 (10) “….have protected”
The measure heads to the Senate.

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s near total abortion ban failed to get out of a House committee. It’s a personal issue for bill author and New Orleans Democratic Representative Delisha Boyd. Boyd says her mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.
Cut 8 (07) “…these children.”
But opponents of Boyd’s bill say pregnancies should be carried to term no matter what led to the conception of that child.

A bill closing in on final legislative passage says public schools would no longer allow children to have access to their phone during instructional time. It would have to be either turned off or stowed away. House Education approved the measure on a ten to one vote. The lone no vote came from Gray Representative Beryl Amedee…
cut 5 (13) “….we have an avenue”
Supporters say phones have become a big distraction in the classroom.

A three-judge federal panel that rejected the Congressional map approved by lawmakers earlier this year have ordered the Legislature to come up with a new map by June 3rd or the courts will draw the map. But Secretary of State Nancy Landry says it needs a new map by May 15th in order to run a proper federal election in November. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the federal court system has put the state in a tough position…
cut 16 (06) “….more and more bizarre”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

A huge come from behind win for the LSU baseball team last night as the Tigers rallied back from a three-run deficit to beat Northwestern State six to five. LSU was down 5 to 2 in the fifth inning and Coach Jay Johnson told his team they had to win this game. Jared Jones slugged a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth and Gavin Guidry pitched four shutout innings out of the pen. Johnson says it was a great victory…
cut 19 (14) “…good baseball game tonight”
LSU now heads to Alabama for a three-game series starting on Friday. The Demons return to Natchitoches to host UNO.

The 22nd ranked U-L Lafayette baseball team shutout Jackson State five to nothing. J-T Etheridge and four relievers combined on a three-hit shutout. Trey LaFleur and Jose Torres each drove in two runs.

McNeese run-ruled Southern 14 to four. Conner Westenburg drove in three runs for the Pokes. Houston scored in the bottom of the ninth to beat Nicholls five to four.

LSU football coach Brian Kelly told WAFB-TV’s Jacques Doucet that LSU is not in the market of buying players. That was Kelly’s response in failing to land their top two defensive tackle targets in the transfer portal. Kelly says some guys are looking to be bought. B-K also says they have plenty of N-I-L opportunities and LSU has a reputation of developing NFL players.

LSU women’s basketball will play Grambling State in December at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City. It will give Lady Tigers star Mikalya Williams a chance to play at home.

U-L Lafayette softball oach Gerry Glasco and La Tech softball coach Josh Taylor were named coaches of the year in their respective conferences. Cajuns outfielder Mihyia Davis was named Sun Belt Player of the year.

At the Southland softball tournament….Alexa Poche hit a walk off homer as the Colonels defeated Houston Christian five to four. Nicholls takes on Southeastern Louisiana this afternoon.

6:30 LRN Newscast May 9

The full House has approved legislation enabling the state to hold a Constitutional Convention. An amendment was added to the measure that pushes the start date of the convention back from May 20th to August 1st. New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says this was done to alleviate concerns that the state was rushing into a convention
Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.”
The measure still needs the Senate to approve and they are not as excited about the need for a constitutional convention as the House.

Federal judges have ordered Louisiana lawmakers to try again and draw up a Congressional map that can be used for the 2024 federal elections. The three-judge panel gave lawmakers until June 3rd to approve a new map or they’ll draw one for them. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this would be the Legislature’s third try…
Cut 15 (05) “…Supreme Court.”
Secretary of State Nancy Landry has said they need to have a map in place by May 15th to adequately prepare for the November Congressional races.

Public school students may not be allowed to have their phone with them during instructional time. Sean Richardson reports on a bill nearing final legislative passage…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LRN AM Newscall May 8

Students may be turning off their phones and tucked away during the school day. Sean Richardson reports on a bill nearing final legislative passage that would require students to stow away their phones…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_______________________________________________

A bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban when the victim is under the age of 17 fails in committee after emotional debate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________________

Since Louisiana’s latest congressional map was thrown out by a three-judge-panel, they’ve given the legislature until June 3rd to draw a new one or they will impose their own map for the November elections. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

A Senate-approved bill to require public school students to either turn off or stow away their cell phones during instructional time receives approval from the House Education Committee. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says wants to eliminate what is sometimes a major distraction from the classroom…

Cut 4 (07) “…go learn”

House Education passed the measure on a ten-to-one vote. The lone no vote was from Gray Representative Beryl Amedee….

Cut 5 (13) “…we have an avenue.” 

Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine expressed concern about students not having a phone during an emergency…

Cut 6 (11) “…active shooter situation.”

Mizell says during an active shooter situation, students should be focusing on hiding and being quiet…

Cut 7 (07) “…safety protocol.”

___________________________________________________________

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd’s mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (07) “…these children.” 

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

New Orleans Democrat Representative Alonzo Knox supports adding exceptions and says when the victims are children, he says forcing a child to give birth to a rapist child is unthinkable…

Cut 10 (11) “…disgusting way.”

Greenwell Springs Republican, Representative Lauren Ventrella questioned Boyd on the enforcement of the bill, asking how you would know if someone was telling the truth that they were raped. Boyd responded by asking how would you know if a nine-year-old was raped?

Cut 11 (12) “…you know?”

The age of consent in Louisiana is 17.

The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

____________________________________________________

Legislation to hold a Constitutional Convention passes in the full House after amendments to change the start date from May 20th to August 1st. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu says the dates were altered over concerns that the process was hasty.

Cut 12 (07) “…be rushed.” 

Instead of holding committee meetings for the convention during the ongoing session, Beaullieu says they will be held in June and July. This will allow the public to testify about the proposed state constitution changes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…have protected.”

While Beaullieu stressed the convention will be a refresh, not a rewrite of the constitution, Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain expressed hesitation.

Cut 14 (12)  “…not true.”

The bill which needed a two-thirds majority passed on a 75 to 27 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee.

______________________________________________

Federal judges have ordered Louisiana lawmakers to try again and draw up a Congressional map that can be used for the 2024 federal elections. The three-judge federal panel gave lawmakers until June 3rd to approve a new map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if the Legislature accepts the order, this would be their third try…

Cut 15 (05)  “…Supreme Court.”

The three judge panel says if the Legislature can not approve a map by June third, the court will create one on June 4th. But Secretary of State Nancy Landry says it needs a new map by May 15th in order to run a proper federal election in November. Pinsonat says the federal court system has put the state in a tough position…

Cut 16 (06)  “…more and more bizarre.”

The federal judges are also not requiring a second majority Black district if the Legislature draws a new Congressional map. Attorney General Liz Murrill says they will bring this issue to the Supreme Court this week.

5:30 LRN Newscast May 7

Legislation to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban was amended for exceptions only to apply when the victim is under the age of 17. The bill, however, failed to advance from House Criminal Justice after emotional debate. Bill author New Orleans Democrat, Representative Delisha Boyd’s mother was raped in her teens and turned to drugs to cope with the trauma and died before she was 30.

Cut 8 (08) “…these children.” 

Haughton Republican, Representative Dodie Horton says while she agrees the rape of a child is horrific, she believes the life of the unborn child should be protected.

AM Cut 9 (07)  “…innocent child.”

The bill failed to advance along party lines in a seven to four-vote.

The legislature will have a third crack at drawing the state’s congressional map. The three-panel judge issued the decision Tuesday. The court also dismissed the Secretary of State’s May 15th deadline. Lawmakers are still in session but it’s unclear if a bill can be filed to draft a new map in this session. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she will still proceed with taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Governor Jeff Landry has signed four property insurance reform bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”