6:45 LRN Sportscast

Many doubted that LSU football could contend for the SEC Championship this year, but now they are 3-and-0 in the SEC after victories over Ole Miss and Arkansas. Coach Brian  Kelly says he wants the players to focus on their preparation, not what the press is saying…

Cut 18 (19)   “…usually happen” .

The Tigers are preparing to face 14th ranked Texas A-and-M, who has one of the best rushing attack in the country.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen says if Derek Carr is not ready to play this Sunday against the Chargers, rookie Spencer Rattler will make his third consecutive start. Allen is hopeful Taysom Hill can return from fractured ribs and there’s a chance interior offensive linemen Lucas Patrick and Cesar Ruiz will return this weekend. The Chargers lost last night to the Cardinals 17 to 15.

Louisiana Tech hosts a football game tonight as the Bulldogs will battle UTEP at 7 PM at Joe Aillet Stadium. Tech enters the game with a 2-4 record, 1-and-2 in Conference USA. Senior defensive lineman Mykol Clark says they are hungry for a win after a bad loss last week at New Mexico State…

Cut 20 (20) “…to go, man.”

The Pelicans have signed shooting guard Trey Murphy to a four-year, 112-million dollar contract extension. Coach Willie Green says it was a goal to get Murphy signed before the start of the season…

Cut 21  (19) “…our team”

The Pelicans season opener is tomorrow night against Chicago.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A comprehensive study of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan finds that the proposed changes to income and sales taxes would lead to a vast majority of Louisiana citizens seeing a tax cut, almost all-in double-digit percentages. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the income tax becomes modestly more progressive, and the sales tax becomes slightly less regressive…

Cut 5 (08) “…of comfort”

Governor Landry will ask lawmakers to approve his tax plan during a special session that’s expected to be held next month.

WalletHub released its 2024 report ranking the safest states in America, with Louisiana identified as the least safe. WalletHub.com Analyst Chip Lupo say the ranking looked at five key safety factors

Cut 10 (12) “…emergency preparedness.”

A Baton Rouge mother has been sentenced to life in prison as a result of her two-year-old son dying from a Fentanyl overdose in 2022.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Ruston Police say a 20-year-old Shreveport woman’s blood alcohol content was more than twice Louisiana’s legal limit when she hit two men with her car over the weekend on South Service Road. Abby Sterling will face vehicle homicide charges. One of the two men hit, died at a hospital, 21-year-old Jack Mitcham of Ruston, who was also a Louisiana Tech student.

LRN AM Newscall October 22

A new study illustrates the impact on income tax and sales tax reforms on individuals. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A mother was found guilty of Second-Degree murder in the death of her two-year-old son from a Fentanyl overdose and sentenced to life in prison.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Taylor Swift is about to provide a huge economic boost to New Orleans. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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What impact will potential changes to sales taxes and personal income taxes have on taxpayers? RESET Louisiana did a comprehensive study on that issue as lawmakers get set to debate Governor Landry’s tax reform proposal. Steven Procopio with PAR says the study made connections between income levels and changes in tax burdens.

Cut 4 (13) “…slightly less regressive.”

However, Procopio says the difference in tax burden changes is not that much different between income levels.

Cut 5 (08) “…lot of comfort.”

Procopio says in the final analysis, nearly everyone will see their income taxes go down, but they will pay more in sales taxes.

Cut 6 (13) “…by wealthier individuals.”

Lawmakers will convene in a special session next month to consider the sweeping proposals.

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A Baton Rouge mother is sentenced to life in prison after her two-year-old son died from a Fentanyl overdose. Five weeks ago, 31-year-old Whitney Ard was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2022 death of Mitchell Robinson the Third. Ard’s attorneys argued their client should have been tried for negligent homicide instead of murder. But East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says a mother should never allow her child to be exposed to such dangerous drugs.

Cut 7 (12) “…child have access.”

Despite Ard’s defense claiming negligence rather than intent, the jury’s decision underscores a growing recognition of the severe consequences of drug abuse, particularly in environments involving children. The case has also prompted scrutiny of the Department of Children and Family Services, which faced criticism for its handling of the situation, leading to the resignation of a supervising official.  Moore says DCFS is not under criminal investigation.

Cut 8 (11) “…for his death.”

This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective measures to protect vulnerable children and address the broader opioid epidemic. Moore says Ard will likely appeal

Cut 9 (10)  “…which it is.”

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WalletHub released its 2024 report ranking the safest states in America, with Louisiana identified as the least safe. WalletHub.com Analyst Chip Lupo say the ranking evaluated all 50 states based on five key safety factors across several categories…

Cut 10 (12) “…emergency prepairdness.”

Some of the criteria used for assessment included the number of law enforcement personnel per capita, bullying rates, assault rates, and unemployment rates.  Lupo says Louisiana and Mississippi ranked lowest, are facing challenges related to crime rates, financial security, and emergency readiness.

Cut 11 (12) …just for starters (laughing).”

Lupo sys the report stresses the importance of considering multiple factors that influence the overall safety of residents in each state including a financial safety dimension where Louisiana ranks 49th

Cut 12 (13) “…would be lower.”

Lupo says Louisiana has ranked near the bottom of this list multiple times with our neighbors Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas ranking 47, 48, and 49 on average.

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New Orleans is about to get a huge economic boost with a trio of Taylor Swift concerts in the Superdome. Dr. Diego Bufquin (BUFF-quin), the director of the hospitality unit at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business, says Swift’s concerts will bring as much as 300-million dollars to the city.

Cut 13 (07)  “…that she’s bringing.”

Dr. Bufquin says Taylor Swift’s concerts will continue to have an impact, even after her last show on Sunday wraps up.

Cut 14 (07) “…more money here.”

Because of this economic windfall, Dr. Bufquin says a guest speaker in one of his classes who works at the convention center says New Orleans will be all the way back from the great economic downturn of 2020.

Cut 15 (09) “…the pandemic started.”

All hotel rooms in the city are booked all weekend long, and tickets on the secondary market are going for a minimum of one-thousand dollars apiece, not including fees.

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Eight ranked LSU and 14th ranked Texas A-and-M will battle for first place in the SEC on Saturday night. Both teams have won six straight since losing their season opener. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says the LSU defense will prepare for a strong rushing attack

Cut 16 (16)   “…weapons.”

LSU is 6-and-1 and they’ve put themselves in the discussion to be one of the 12 teams in the college football playoff. Kelly says he’s more worried about being consistent…

Cut 17 (17) “…to that.”

Many doubted that LSU could contend for the SEC Championship, but now they are 4-and-0 and many are now believing in them. Kelly says he wants the players to focus on their preparation, not what the press is saying…

Cut 18 (19)   “…usually happen” .

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Louisiana Tech takes on UTEP tonight in Conference USA action. The Miners lead the league in tackles for loss so Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie says it will be important for quarterback Evan Bullock to get rid of the ball quickly…

Cut 19 (24) “….create pressure”  

Tech enters the game with a 2-4 record, 1-and-2 in Conference USA. Senior defensive lineman Mykol Clark says they are hungry for a win after a bad loss last week at New Mexico State…

Cut 20 (20) “…to go, man.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

More than 170-thousand people showed up at the polls for early voting Friday and Saturday. Normally, more Democrats turn out for early voting than Republicans, but John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling says that’s not the case this time around.

Cut 4 (15) “…2020 and 2024.”

When mail-in ballots are factored in, the total number of early votes through the end of the weekend approaches 260-thousand.

LSP Class 105 started its accelerated 14-week POST class. Lieutenant Jared Sandifer says the timeline is rigorous, pushing students to excel and adapt quickly.

Cut 10 (07) “…to be a Trooper.”

Many are remembering Charles Baglio, a longtime LSU staffer and a Hall of Fame high school football coach, who died at the age of 81. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saints Coach Dennis Allen said today that it’s still too early to know if quarterback Derek Carr will be healthy enough to play in this Sunday’s game against the Chargers. He’s hopeful Taysom Hill will be back from fractured ribs, while receiver Chris Olave remains in concussion protocol. Former Bills, Chiefs and Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling worked out for the team today.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The eighth ranked LSU Tigers were big winners on Saturday night beating Arkansas 34 to 10. LSU started fast in Fayetteville with a touchdown on its opening drive. When Arkansas got back into the game, Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks had a huge interception to set up a Caden Durham touchdown. LSU finished the scoring with a 14-play, 80 yard drive late in the fourth quarter. Coach Brian Kelly says the Tigers played well from start to finish…

Cut 17 (17) “…this point.”

LSU will need to play well again this Saturday as the Tigers go back on the road this Saturday to face 14th ranked Texas A-and-M.

Louisiana Tech will host UTEP tomorrow night. The Miners are 1-and-6 and that victory came last Wednesday against FIU.

Saints Coach Dennis Allen said today that it’s still too early to know if quarterback Derek Carr will be healthy enough to play in this Sunday’s game against the Chargers. He’s hopeful Taysom Hill will be back from fractured ribs, while receiver Chris Olave remains in concussion protocol. Former Bills, Chiefs and Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling worked out for the team today.

Southeastern Louisiana receiver Darius Lewis has been named Southland offensive player of the week as he caught the winning touchdown pass in the Lions heart stopping win over Stephen F Austin. Nicholls linebacker Jake Dalmado has been named the Southland Defensive player of the week as he had three sacks in the Colonels shutout win over Northwestern State.

The Pelicans have reportedly signed forward Trey Murphy to a four-year, 112-million dollar contract extension. The former first round pick averaged a career high 15 points last year. He has a hamstring injury, so he will not be on the floor when New Orleans tips off the season on Wednesday against the Bulls.

4:30 PM Newscast Oct 21

State Police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a 35 year old man walking on Interstate 20 Sunday night. Investigators say the hit and run that claimed the life of Jared Osbon of West Monroe happened around 10 pm when Osbon was walking in the left eastbound lane of I-20 near Highway 133. They say the 2021 or newer Ford Super Duty truck they believe hit Osbon will have damages to its left front headlight assembly and grill. Anyone with information is asked to call LSP Troop F at 318-345-0000.

SP Class 105 started its accelerated 14-week POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) class, designed to prepare 56 students for careers in law enforcement.  By the end of the program, graduates will be well-prepared to take on the challenges of law enforcement, ready to serve and protect their communities. Lt. Jared Sandifer noted the benefits that come with becoming an LSP Trooper…

Cut 11 (11) “…equipment for free.”

The first two days of early voting in Louisiana broke records. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans is getting ready for the invasion of the Swifties. Taylor Swift will perform three shows at the Superdome Friday through Sunday. Kelly Schulz with New Orleans and Company says there are very few hotel rooms in the Big Easy this weekend.

Cut 13 (09)  “…going very quickly.”

LRN PM Newscall October 21

The first two days of early voting in Louisiana broke records. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Many are remembering Charles Baglio, a longtime LSU staffer and a Hall of Fame high school football coach, who died at the age of 81. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Voters turned out in droves during the first two days of early voting. The secretary of state’s office says more than 170-thousand people showed up at the polls Friday and Saturday. John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling says the actual number is even higher.

Cut 3 (11) “…to 259,512 statewide.”

Normally, more Democrats turn out for early voting than Republicans, but Couvillon says that’s not the case this time around.

Cut 4 (15) “…2020 and 2024.”

And at least on Saturday, Black voters didn’t turn out in the numbers that the state saw four years ago.

Cut 5 (09) “…had in 2020.”

Couvillon says a couple reasons for the huge Republican turnout are that they’re enthusiastic about this year’s election, and the fact that since Louisiana doesn’t have a single competitive race on the ballot in terms of federal offices, people wanted to get their voting out of the way early.

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Longtime LSU football staffer Charles Baglio died Friday night when he was hit by a car on U-S Highway 51 in Tangipahoa Parish. Baglio was just involved in a wreck himself and checking on another vehicle when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist. Baglio was also a successful high school football coach at Independence. Former Independence Coach Keith Carona says Baglio made high school sports fun

Cut 6 (07) “…fun doing it.”

Baglio won 205 games as a high school football coach and took Independence to the state championship game twice. Carona says former LSU coach Nick Saban hired Baglio as a staffer in in 2002 and he was part of three national championship teams…

Cut 7 (11) “…at LSU.”

Baglio was 81-years-old and Corona says the Independence native served as a mentor for many high school football coaches…

Cut 8 (08) “…other plans.”

Baglio was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and part of this year’s National High School Athletics Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

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LSP Class 105 started its accelerated 14-week POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) class, designed to prepare the 56 students for careers in law enforcement. This intensive program will equip them with essential skills and knowledge, including legal principles, investigative techniques, and physical training.  LSP Lt. Jared Sandifer says cadets in the accelerated program have POST training going into the academy.

Cut 9 (11)  “…exposed to some of that.”

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on learning experiences and real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Sandifer says the 14-week timeline is rigorous, pushing students to excel and adapt quickly.

Cut 10 (07) “…to be a Trooper.”

By the end of the program, graduates will be well-prepared to take on the challenges of law enforcement, ready to serve and protect their communities. Sandifer noted the benefits that come with becoming an LSP Trooper…

Cut 11 (12) “…if you will.”

LSP is currently taking applications for Class 107 starting in the summer of 2025.

3:30 PM Newscast Oct 21

Louisiana’s new law to have the Ten Commandments posted in every public-school classroom goes before a federal judge in Baton Rouge today. Dane Ciolino, a professor of law at the Loyola University-New Orleans says the plaintiffs, which includes the ACLU, have Supreme Court precedent on their side.

Cut 8 (11) “…in public schools.”

Ciolino says this case will likely go before the U-S Supreme Court.

Voters turned out in droves during the first two days of early voting. The secretary of state’s office says more than 170-thousand people showed up at the polls Friday and Saturday. John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling says the actual number is even higher.

Cut 3 (10) “…to 259,512.”

Normally, more Democrats turn out for early voting than Republicans, but Couvillon says that’s not the case this time around.

Many are remembering Charles Baglio, a longtime LSU staffer and a Hall of Fame high school football coach, who died at the age of 81. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSP Class 105 started its accelerated 14-week POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) class, designed to prepare 56 students for careers in law enforcement. LSP Lt. Jared Sandifer…

Cut 9 (11)  “…exposed to some of that.”

2:30 PM Newscast Oct 21

The first two days of early voting showed a very healthy turn out. John Couvillon (COO-vee-ahn) with JMC Analytics and Polling says typically, more Democrats turn out for early voting than Republicans, but Couvillon says that’s not the case this time around and at least on Saturday, the turn out showed other differences compared to previous years…

Cut 5 (09) “…had in 2020.”

Just one constitutional amendment on the November 5th ballot. A vote for the amendment would send federal dollars from money received from offshore wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. LaRose Representative Joseph Orgeron explains why he authored the amendment…

Cut 26 (09) “….in 2031”

Opponents say dedicating this money restricts lawmakers’ ability to make budget decisions.

56 students are being prepared for careers in law enforcement in an accelerated 14-week POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) class, Lt. Jared Sandifer says cadets in LSP Class 105 accelerated program already have some POST knowledge. They’ll engage in hands-on learning experiences and real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and decision-making abilities. He says the shortened timeline is rigorous, pushing students to excel and adapt quickly.

Cut 10 (07) “…to be a Trooper.”

Longtime LSU football staffer Charles Baglio died Friday night when he was hit by a car on U-S Highway 51 in Tangipahoa Parish. Baglio had just been involved in a wreck and was returning to his vehicle after checking on another vehicle when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist. Baglio was also a successful high school football coach at Independence. Former Independence Coach Keith Carona remembers the fun Baglio brought to high school sports.

Cut 6 (04) “…fun doing it.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The first two days of early voting in Louisiana broke records. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

KALB-TV reports Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree submitted his resignation on Friday, which means the city council will appoint the next mayor, instead of voters with a special election.  Mayor Dupree’s resignation comes less than two months after news broke of an affair involving the mayor and a former staff member.

Longtime LSU football staffer Charles Baglio died Friday night when he was hit by a car on U-S Highway 51 in Tangipahoa Parish.  Baglio won 205 games as a high school football coach and took Independence to the state championship game twice.  Former Independence Coach Keith Carona says former LSU coach Nick Saban hired Baglio as a staffer in in 2002 and he was part of three national championship teams…

Cut 7 (11) “…at LSU.”

SP Class 105 started its accelerated 14-week POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) class, designed to prepare the 56 students for careers in law enforcement.  By the end of the program, graduates will be well-prepared to take on the challenges of law enforcement, ready to serve and protect their communities. Lt. Jared Sandifer noted the benefits that come with becoming an LSP Trooper…

Cut 11 (11) “…equipment for free.”