11:40 LRN Sportscast

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died last night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. She and Skip were married for 63 years, raising four daughters, one of whom succumbed to cancer in 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending.

After breezing through the pre-conference schedule with a 17-and-1 record, the LSU Tigers open up SEC play this afternoon against the Missouri Tigers. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is ready for the 30-game SEC grind…

Cut 16 (19″….businesses as usual.”

LSU catches a break with their first opponent in SEC play. Missouri is just 8-and-8 on the season and could finish in last place in the league. First pitch has been moved up to 4:30 to avoid the potential for rain later tonight.

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The season came to end last night for the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team as the Bulldogs lost in double overtime 77 to 75 to Middle Tennessee in the Conference USA Tournament. Daniel Batcho only played 16 minutes last night as he suffered an injury in the first half. The Bulldogs were also just 1-of-15 from three-point range.

Grambling plays Alabama State in the SWAC semifinals today at 1 PM.

The championship round begins today in the boys high school basketball tournament. Five champions will be crowned today. The first game is Pleasant Hill against Plainview. Southern Lab will face Hamilton Christian. Calvary Baptist will take on Country Day, Franklin will try to repeat as state champs as the Hornets take on Vinton and Avoyelles Public Charter will place Lacassine in the Class B state final. Lacassine is in the state championship game for the first tine since 1976. All the games can be seen on the LHSAA Network.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Severe weather is on the way this weekend, causing St. Patrick’s Day Parades to be rescheduled. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Schools and students nationwide are celebrating Pi Day today. Karen Dartez, a math teacher at St. Thomas More school in Baton Rouge, says as a nod to the day’s namesake, she will be treating her students to pie.

Cut 14 (06) “…pi day.”

The most complex amendment on the constitutional amendment ballot is Amendment 2, which essentially rewrites Article 7 of the state Constitution. One of the most talked-about provisions is a permanent pay raise for teachers. PAR President Steven Procopio says it would in fact make a stipend that’s been renewed every year permanent.

Cut 5 (14) “…three-billion dollars.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is urging his colleagues to pass his HALT Fentanyl Act. In a Senate floor speech yesterday, Cassidy said among other things, the act closes a loophole that people use to slightly alter the fentanyl to the point that it’s no longer fentanyl – something that’s called a “fentanyl analog.”

Cut 10 (08) “…not actually fentanyl.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Much of South Louisiana from New Orleans to Baton Rouge is at a moderate risk — level 4 out of 5 — for severe weather this weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes:

Cut 7 (10) “…evening hours.”

Alexandria and Lafayette, meanwhile, are at a level 3 risk for storms. Primary threats include high winds and an increased tornado risk. The forecast is forcing organizers of St. Patrick’s Day parades to reschedule them to Sunday.

Early voting in the constitutional amendment election opens tomorrow. Easily the most complex amendment on the ballot is Amendment 2. That’s the one that essentially rewrites Article 7 of the state Constitution. PAR President Steven Procopio says among many other things, there would be a government growth limit put in place.

Cut 4 (11) “…colleges and universities.”

It’s Pi Day in schools across the country celebrating the most famous irrational number that inspires students in mathematics. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The wife of legendary LSU baseball coach and athletic director Skip Bertman has passed away. Sandy Bertman died last night in Baton Rouge at the age of 87. She and Skip were married for 63 years, raising four daughters, one of whom succumbed to cancer in 2012. Funeral arrangements are pending.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Much of South Louisiana is at a moderate risk for severe weather this weekend. Areas from New Orleans to Baton Rouge are at a level four out of five for severe storms, while Alexandria and Lafayette are at three out of five. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the forecast has forced organizers to reschedule St. Patrick’s Day parades.

Cut 9 (10)  “…avoid that significant weather.”

Of the four amendments on the constitutional amendment ballot, Amendment 2 is easily the most complex. It essentially would rewrite Article 7 of the state Constitution in light of the new tax law. PAR President Steven Procopio says it has provisions regarding the inventory tax that Governor Landry says has been stifling business growth in the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…make over time.”

Among many other things, Amendment 2 would also turn an annual stipend for teachers into a permanent pay raise. Early voting starts tomorrow.

The New Orleans City Council is considering extending the city’s travel ban. Currently, all non-essential travel is prohibited as the city deals with financial troubles. As of right now, that’s set to expire April 30th. However, in light of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s trip to Washington, DC – which she says was planned before the ban went into effect – council president J.P. Morrell says the council is looking at extending it to the end of the next budget cycle.

Schools and students nationwide are celebrating Pi Day today, an annual event dedicated to the mathematical constant pi — 3.-point-1-4. Karen Dartez, a math teacher at St. Thomas More school in Baton Rouge, says this special day recognizes the significance of pi in mathematics.

Cut 13 (17)  “…same value.”

8:30 AM Newscast

Much of South Louisiana is at a moderate risk for severe weather throughout much of Saturday.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says areas along the I-12 corridor from Baton Rouge to Hammond and over to Slidell will be under a level 4 out of 5 threat, with a slightly lower risk for Alexandria and Lafayette. Grymes says primary threats include high winds and an increased tornado risk.

Cut 8 (15) “…serious damage.”

Senator Bill Cassidy;s  HALT Fentanyl Act could see a vote in the Senate as early as today. In 2023, more than 74-thousand people died from fentanyl use, accounting for almost 70-percent of all drug overdose deaths that year. Senator Cassidy says time is of the essence.

Cut 12 (10) “…exploit our communities.”

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Of the four amendments on the constitutional amendment ballot, Amendment 2 is easily the most complex. Andrew Greenstein breaks it down.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Schools and students nationwide are celebrating Pi Day today, celebrating the mathematical constant.  St. Thomas More Math Teacher Karen Dartez says many schools mark the occasion with pi recitation contests, math games, and…

Cut 14 (08) “…pi day.”

 

7:30 AM Newscast

The most complex amendment on the constitutional amendment election is Amendment number 2, which basically rewrites Article 7 of the state Constitution. One of the most talked-about provisions is a permanent pay raise for teachers. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says the amendment would make a stipend that’s been renewed every year permanent.

Cut 5 (14) “…three-billion dollars.”
Early voting in that constitutional amendment election begins tomorrow.

Senator Bill Cassidy is urging his colleagues to pass his HALT Fentanyl Act. On the Senate floor yesterday, Cassidy said among other things, the act closes a loophole that people use to slightly alter the fentanyl to the point that it’s no longer fentanyl – something that’s called a “fentanyl analog.”

Cut 10 (15) “…the actual thing.”

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Severe weather is on the way in South Louisiana this weekend, causing St. Patrick’s Day Parades to be moved to Sunday with possible tornadoes tomorrow.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Today is Pi Day and schools across the country will be celebrating the day dedicated to the mathematical constant with students.  St. Thomas More Math Teacher Karen Dartez says this Pi Day continues to inspire young …

Cut 15 (07) “…share with the kids.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The top-ranked LSU baseball team opens SEC play today by hosting Missouri. The game has been moved up to 4:30 to avoid the potential for severe weather later tonight. The Tigers are 17-and-1, and several players have emerged, including catcher Luis Hernandez. Coach Jay Johnson says Hernandez has done a good job handling the pitchers…

Cut 17 (22) “…we needed”

LSU has a chance to get off to a good start in SEC play as Missouri is expected to finish near the bottom.

Sun Belt play begins this weekend. The Ragin Cajuns host 21st-ranked Troy, while ULM is at James Madison.

Tough ending to the season for Louisiana Tech men’s basketball. The Bulldogs lost in double overtime to Middle Tennessee 77 to 75. Tech rallied back from 10 points down in the second half to force overtime. Sean Newman missed a three-pointer to win the game in the first overtime. And the Blue Raiders won the game in the second overtime on a tip in.

At the high school boys basketball tournament…St. Thomas More’s John Luke Bourque short baseline jumper at the buzzer gave the Cougars a 46 to 44 win over John Curtis in the Division one select semifinals. S-T-M also won its quarterfinals game on a last-second, three-pointer at the buzzer. The Cougars will play St. Aug in the Division one select finals.

In the Division One non-select finals…it will be Central versus Zachary. The Broncos pulled away in the second half to beat Natchitoches Central 65 to 45 and  the Wildcats defeated Denham Springs 62-56.

6:30 AM Newscast

Its Pi Day in schools across the country celebrating the most famous irrational number. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Much of South Louisiana is at a moderate risk — level 4 out of 5 — for severe weather this weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes:

Cut 7 (10) “…evening hours.”

The weather event has forced organizers to reschedule many St. Patrick’s Day parades and events to Sunday.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is urging his colleagues to pass his HALT Fentanyl Act. It would  permanently make Fentanyl a Schedule One drug, meaning it has no legitimate medical use, making it illegal to use or possess. Cassidy said in 2023, almost 70-percent of all drug overdose deaths that year were due to fentanyl…That’s 74 thousand people.

Cut 11 (13) “…New Orleans Superdome.”

With early voting in the constitutional amendment election opening tomorrow, the most complex amendment on the ballot is Amendment 2. PAR President Steven Procopio says there’s a lot to unpack – but one of the the things it does is put a government growth limit in place.

Cut 4 (11) “…colleges and universities.”

LRN AM Newscall March 14 (π)

Of the four amendments on the constitutional amendment ballot, Amendment 2 is easily the most complex. Andrew Greenstein breaks it down.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Severe weather is on the way in South Louisiana this weekend, causing St. Patrick’s Day Parades to be moved to Sunday with possible tornadoes tomorrow.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Its Pi Day in schools across the country celebrating the most famous irrational number that inspires students in mathematics.  Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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With early voting in the constitutional amendment election opening tomorrow, the most complex amendment on the ballot is Amendment 2. That’s the one that essentially rewrites Article 7 of the state Constitution. PAR President Steven Procopio says there’s a lot to unpack – so much so that it took the nonpartisan organization quite a while to break it all down in its voter guide. Procopio says there would be a government growth limit put in place.

Cut 4 (11) “…colleges and universities.”

One of the most talked-about provisions is a permanent pay raise for teachers. Procopio says it would in fact make a stipend that’s been renewed every year permanent.

Cut 5 (14) “…three-billion dollars.”

Procopio says Amendment 2 also has provisions regarding the inventory tax that Governor Landry says has been stifling business growth in the state.

Cut 6 (09) “…make over time.”

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Much of South Louisiana is at a moderate risk — level 4 out of 5 — for severe weather this weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes:

Cut 7 (10) “…evening hours.”

Alexandria and Lafayette, meanwhile, are at a level 3 risk for storms. Grymes warns that storms ahead of the front could become severe, rather than forming locally and intensifying elsewhere. Primary threats include high winds and an increased tornado risk.

Cut 8 (15) “…serious damage.”

Grymes says luckily, this weather event has forced organizers to reschedule St. Patrick’s Day parades and events to Sunday.

Cut 9 (10)  “…avoid that significant weather.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy is urging his colleagues to pass his HALT Fentanyl Act. In a Senate floor speech yesterday, Cassidy said among other things, the act closes a loophole that people use to slightly alter the fentanyl to the point that it’s no longer fentanyl – something that’s called a “fentanyl analog.”

Cut 10 (15) “…the actual thing.”

The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently make Fentanyl a Schedule One drug, meaning it has no legitimate medical use and, thus, would be illegal to use or possess. Cassidy said in 2023, more than 74-thousand people died of fentanyl, accounting for almost 70-percent of all drug overdose deaths that year.

Cut 11 (13) “…New Orleans Superdome.”

Cassidy says time is of the essence to get the bill passed and sent to President Trump’s desk.

Cut 12 (10) “…exploit our communities.”

The Senate is expected to vote on the bill as early as today.

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Schools and students nationwide are celebrating Pi Day today, an annual event dedicated to the mathematical constant pi — 3.-point-1-4. St. Thomas More Math Teacher Karen Dartez says this special day, observed on March 14th, recognizes the significance of pi in mathematics.

Cut 13 (17)  “…same value.”

Dartez notes that Pi Day is a highlight of the academic year for many students. Schools often mark the occasion with interactive activities such as pi recitation contests, math games, and even the tradition of enjoying actual pie as a tasty nod to the day’s namesake.

Cut 14 (08) “…pi day.”

Dartez says events like these help spark a love for mathematics, showing students that numbers can be both fascinating and enjoyable. Through creativity and hands-on learning, Pi Day continues to inspire young minds and deepen their appreciation for the beauty of math.

Cut 15 (07) “…share with the kids.”

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After breezing through the pre-conference schedule with a 17-and-1 record, the LSU Tigers open up SEC play this afternoon against the Missouri Tigers. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is ready for the 30-game SEC grind…

Cut 16 (19″….businesses as usual.”

Several roles were solidified during the pre-conference portion of the schedule. Luis Hernandez has nailed down the starting catcher duties and Johnson says he’s done a good job handling the pitchers…

Cut 17 (22)  “…what we have.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Early voting in the constitutional amendment election starts Saturday, and Sean Richardson has more on some of the amendments on the ballot.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A public memorial service will be held for Southern University student Caleb Wilson tomorrow. Wilson was killed last month in what police say was a hazing ritual as he was pledging to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Three suspects are facing charges.

With LSU’s men’s basketball season coming to a merciful end yesterday, Tigers fans are probably wondering why they can’t get a coach like Will Wade, who’s leading McNeese to the NCAA Tournament for a second year in a row. The fact is, Wade DID coach at LSU from 2017 until 2022, when he was unceremoniously let go. Wade signed a two-year contract with McNeese that expires at the end of this season, and he said it’s a commitment that was important for him to keep.

Cut 6 (09) “…my damn word.”

While Wade may be considering his future at the end of this season, he says his focus now is to lead the Cowboys to their first NCAA Tournament win in program history.

Severe weather forecast for tomorrow and Saturday is forcing changes to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The wicked weather is forcing organizers of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade to cancel Saturday’s event. In Baton Rouge, the Wearing of the Green parade has been rescheduled to Sunday at noon.