2:30 PM Newscast

Six people have been arrested in connection with last weekend’s shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Laryisson says tips from community members helped their investigation

Cut 12 (10) “…good old detective work”

Those arrested were between 18 and 21 years old. Camryn Finley and Dealvin Davis are charged with attempted second-degree murder and terrorizing. Courtney McGee, Markus Dokes, Quentrel Smith, and Quenton Smith are charged with terrorizing.

In St. Mary Parish, anonymous tips led to the arrest of a Patterson man, arrested Friday morning for cruelty to animals-aggravated. St. Mary Sheriff’s Office says 44-year-old Gerard Harris shot and severely wounded a dog. The dog was found severely malnourished and tied to a tree with multiple injuries.  Sheriff Gary Driskell said, “Animal abuse is a crime against the defenseless. Those who commit these horrific acts will be arrested and prosecuted.”

LSU’s quest to repeat as national champions in gymnastics ended Thursday night as they failed to get past the semifinals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Easter Weekend is typically the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low but she doesn’t expect them to be the lowest they will be this year.

Cut 8 (06) “…month of May.”

LRN PM Newscall April 18

It’s the biggest crawfish weekend of the year; and as Andrew Greenstein reports, those tasty tiny crustaceans can be had for relatively cheap.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU’s quest to repeat as national champions in gymnastics ended Thursday night as they failed to get past the semifinals. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year” 

Although the Super Bowl in New Orleans is expected to boost tourism this year, the state has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, Louisiana welcomed over 53 million visitors, but Nungesser says because of tariffs, tourism this year will suffer.

Cu 4 (11) “…reach that record.” 

Nungesser says he is seeing cancellations all over the state from Canada and has talked with Canadian mayors.  He says Canada still love Louisiana, they can’t convince them to visit America this year. Nungesser hopes it gets worked out quickly…

Cut 5 (10) “…here in Louisiana greatly.”

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If ever there was a weekend to enjoy some tasty tiny crustaceans, this is it. This is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low this Easter weekend.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

King says crawfish is so popular this weekend that some stores are sold out, so you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 7 (09) “…do that now.”

King says while this is certainly the peak of crawfish season, the prices are not the lowest they will be this year.

Cut 8 (06) “…month of May.”

King says live crawfish are averaging $3.10 a pound this weekend and boiled crawfish is going for about $5.50 a pound at your favorite restaurant.

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The top ranked LSU gymnastics team falls short of reaching the NCAA Championships as they struggled to hit on many of their routines in the semifinals and will not have a chance at defending its title. Coach Jay Clark says a great season ends in disappointment

Cut 9 (14)  “…this year.”

LSU freshman Kailin Chio (KAY-lin Chee-oh) is a champion as she won the vault title with a score of 9.975. Thursday night turned out to be the final meet for Haleigh Bryant, who goes down as the best gymnast in the history of LSU. The five-time SEC champion and national all-around champion in 2024 says it’s hard to say good-bye

Cut 10 (05) “…five years.”

LSU won its first national championship in gymnastics last year. The enter this year’s national championships as the favorites to win it after winning the Southeastern Conference regular season title, the SEC championship meet and their NCAA regional. But Clark says it’s different being the hunted than the hunter…

Cut 11 (13) “…future is bright.”

Not only is Bryant out of eligibility, but so is social media star Olivia Dunne, Sierra Ballard and 2024 Olympian Aleah Finnegan.

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The Ponchatoula Police Department issued arrest warrants for six men following a shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival that injured two teens. Police Chief Bry Layrisson says they received tips from the community.

Cut 12 (10) “…good old detective work”

Last Saturday, multiple law enforcement agencies searched five homes tied to the incident. Layrisson says those arrested were all between 18 and 21 years old. Camryn Finley and Dealvin Davis, both charged with attempted second-degree murder and terrorizing, and Courtney McGee, Markus Dokes, Quentrel Smith, and Quenton Smith, who were charged with terrorizing.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these six individuals.”

Layrisson confirmed that all gunshot victims are expected to recover, and he is meeting with the Mayor and Chairman-elect of the Strawberry Festival next week.

Cut 14 (08) “…2026 Strawberry Festival.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is predicting international tourism to Louisiana will be down this year because of tariffs. Nungesser says Canadians make up 40-percent of Louisiana’s international tourists clientele and he is seeing cancellations from Canadian residents. Nungesser hopes the trade war gets resolved soon…

Cut 5 (10) …greatly”

For people not visiting Louisiana this week, they are missing out on some great crawfish. Laney King co-founder of the Crawfish app says crawfish is so popular this weekend that some stores are sold out, so you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 7 (09) “…do that now.”

King says live crawfish are averaging $3.10 a pound this weekend and boiled crawfish is going for about $5.50 a pound at your favorite restaurant.

 

Six people have been arrested for their role in last Saturday’s shooting at the Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival. Chief Bry Layrisson says the suspects arrested range from 18 to 21…

Cut 13 (08) “…these six individuals”

Layrisson says the two people shot are expected to make a full recovery.

LSU gymnastics will not repeat as national champs, as they failed to advance out of the NCAA Championship semifinals. The Tigers could not consistently hit on their routines. Coach Jay Clark says it’s different being the hunted than the hunter…

Cut 11 (13) “…future is bright.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Ponchatoula police announce the arrest of six individuals, between the ages of 18 and 21 years-old in a shooting last Saturday that wounded two teenagers at the Strawberry Festival. The alleged gunman is 18-year-old Camryn Finley as he’s charged with attempted second-degree murder and terrorizing. The victims are expected to recover and Police Chief Bry Layrisson says the goal is to make sure a shooting at the Strawberry Fest never happens again…

Cut 14 (08) “…Strawberry Fest”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser does not expect to break a record this year for visitors to Bayou State. Nungesser says tariff talk will keep some international visitors away…

Cut 4 (11) “…that record”

In 2019, Louisiana welcomed over 53 million visitors.

 

It’s the biggest crawfish weekend of the year; and as Andrew Greenstein reports, those tasty tiny crustaceans can be had for relatively cheap.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The ninth ranked LSU baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit last night to beat Alabama 11 to six. Ashton Larson sparked the rally with a pinch-hit three-run home run…

Cut 26 (10) “…part of”

La Tech and U-L Lafayette also had come from behind victories last night.-

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Three Louisiana baseball teams had great come from behind victories last night. The Fighting Tigers trailed five to one to Alabama, but Ashton Larson and Steven Milam each hit three-run home runs and the Tigers won 11 to 6 at Alex Box Stadium.

Louisiana Tech blew a four-to nothing lead, but scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat Liberty seven to six. Coach Lane Burroughs on the thrilling win…

Cut 18 (09) “…for us”

Big win for the Cajuns last night as well as U-L scored two runs in the ninth and one in the tenth to beat Old Dominion six to five. Game 2 is at 2 PM today.

The ULM softball team improved to 20-0 at home with a 1 to nothing win over Georgia Southern.

The top ranked LSU gymnastics team falls short of reaching the NCAA Championships as they struggled to hit on many of their routines in the semifinals and will not have a chance at defending its title. Coach Jay Clark says a great season ends in disappointment

Cut 9 (14)  “…this year.”

LSU freshman Kailin Chio (KAY-lin Chee-oh) is a champion as she won the vault title with a score of 9.975.

LSU running back Kaleb Jackson is entering his junior season and he’s hoping 2025 will be a break out year as he’s lowering his body weight to 225 after playing at 235 pounds last season…

Cut 17 (17) “…by now”

11:30 LRN Newscast

If ever there was a weekend to enjoy some tasty tiny crustaceans, this is it. This is the biggest weekend of the year for crawfish – and Laney King, the founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices are very low this Easter weekend.

Cut 6 (13) “…dollars a pound.”

Six people are under arrest in connection with last weekend’s shooting at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Laryisson says witnesses were instrumental in bringing these six to justice.

Cut 23 (12) “…ol’ detective work.”

The alleged gunman is 18-year-old Camryn Finley; he’s charged with attempted second degree murder and terrorizing. Another 18-year-old, Dealvon Davis, is charged with being a principal to those two charges.

Tariffs on Canada could harm Louisiana’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser notes that Canada is the state’s largest international tourism market. However, he says President Trump’s tariffs have discouraged travel, leading some Canadian officials to cancel upcoming visits.

Cut 3 (11) “…cancel this year” 

The top ranked LSU gymnastics team falls short of reaching the NCAA Championships as they struggled to hit on many of their routines in the semifinals and will not have a chance at defending its title. Coach Jay Clark says a great season ends in disappointment

Cut 9 (14)  “…this year.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The LA GATOR scholarship program has proven to be so popular that it’s unlikely that the state can accommodate all applicants. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says it’s unlikely that anyone outside the primary eligible applicants will be able to secure one of those scholarships.

Cut 8 (07) “…the poverty level.”

The funeral for former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy will be held one week from tomorrow – April 26th – at 11 a.m. at the David Stopher Gymnasium in Thibodaux; it will follow a two-hour visitation. Meanwhile, we’re getting more insight into his final moments. Jacques Doucet (doo-SAY), the sports director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, says Lacy’s family called police after he started acting erratically.

Cut 11 (10) “…into the ground.”

If you drive a pickup truck, police are currently paying close attention to see whether you’re wearing your seatbelt. Through April 27th, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is sponsoring “Buckle Up In Your Truck.” Spokesman Greg Fischer says if you’re caught, expect to make a little donation to your local municipality.

Cut 14 (05) “…a subsequent offense.”

Easter wouldn’t be complete for generations in Louisiana without Elmer Chocolate’s Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs, seasonal treats produced at its Ponchatoula factory. Though Tangipahoa Parish is famed for strawberries, Elmer’s has added sweetness to the town’s legacy for decades. CEO Rob Nelson says a major transformation came in 2016.

Cut 4 (10) “…in the United States.”

Despite high-tech advances, Elmer’s still makes its iconic Easter treats by hand to preserve tradition.

9:30 AM Newscast

If you drive a pickup truck, police will be paying close attention to see whether you’re wearing your seatbelt. Through April 27th, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is sponsoring “Buckle Up In Your Truck.” Spokesman Greg Fischer:

Cut 13 (10)  “…drivers and passengers.”

We’re learning more about Kyrn Lacy’s tragic death as final arrangements are set for remembering his life. Jacques Doucet (doo-SAY), the sports director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, says Lacy’s family became concerned for his well-being following his involvement in that fatal crash in November. They say he began acting erratically last Saturday, started, grabbed a gun and left the house. His family was worried about him and called police.

Cut 12 (10) “…the car crashed.”
The celebration of life for Kyren Lacy will be held next Friday morning at 11 at the David Stopher Gymnasium in Thibodaux

———————–

Elmer’s Chocolate has been a Louisiana Easter tradition for generations, and this year is no different. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU gymnastics will not repeat as national champs, as they failed to advance out of the NCAA Championship semifinals. Meanwhile, the ninth-ranked LSU baseball Tigers rallied from a four-run deficit last night to beat Alabama 11 to six.  Louisiana Tech beat Liberty with a dramatic seven to six victory.  The Cajuns beat Old Dominion six to five. ULM lost to 20th ranked Troy. Grambling, Nicholls, and McNeese all won, while Northwestern lost.

8:30 AM Newscast

Funeral arrangements are announced for former LSU receiver Kyren Lacy. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The LA GATOR scholarship program has proven to be bit hit in its first year, so much so it’s unlikely the state will be able to accommodate all the applicants.  Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the state may need to scramble to come up with the money allotted to the program when it passed it last year.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that right now.”

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If you drive a pickup truck, make sure you’re wearing your seatbelt as “Buckle Up in Your Truck” is underway.  Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesman Greg Fischer says officers will be on the lookout and if you’re caught without yourseatbelt, you will face fines.  But why single out pickup trucks?

Cut 15 (12) “…their belt on.”

The campaign will run through April 27th.

If Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs are on your list for the Easter Bunny, please know Elmer’s Chocolate in Pontchatoula has been churning out the Easter candy since right after Christmas, as usual.  CEO Rob Nelson says despite high-tech advances, Elmer’s still hand-makes its iconic Easter treats.  As for tariffs, he says they have been impacted since they import cocoa from South Africa.

Cut 6 (12) “…aren’t helping us.”

7:30 AM Newscast

We’re learning more about Kyrn Lacy’s tragic death as final arrangements are set for remembering his life. Jacques Doucet (doo-SAY), the sports director at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, says Lacy’s family became concerned for his well-being following his involvement in that fatal crash in November. They say he began acting erratically last Saturday, started, grabbed a gun and left the house. His family was worried about him and called police.

Cut 12 (10) “…the car crashed.”
The celebration of life for Kyren Lacy will be held next Friday morning at 11 at the David Stopher Gymnasium in Thibodaux

If you drive a pickup truck, police will be paying close attention to see whether you’re wearing your seatbelt. Through April 27th, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is sponsoring “Buckle Up In Your Truck.” Spokesman Greg Fischer says if an officer catches you without your seatbelt on, expect to make a little donation to your local municipality.

Cut 14 (05) “…a subsequent offense.”

———————————-

In its first year, the LA GATOR scholarship program has proven to be a hit – maybe a little too much of a hit. So much so that it’s unlikely that the state can accommodate all applicants. Barry Erwin, the chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says 40-thousand students registered for the program during the now-closed registration period.

Cut 7 (08) “…on what happens.”

For many in Louisiana it just wouldn’t BE Easter without Elmer Chocolate’s Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs. Yes, though Tangipahoa Parish is famed for strawberries, Elmer’s has produced the seasonal treats at its Ponchatoula factory for decades.  CEO Rob Nelson says they start making Easter candy after Christmas.

Cut 5 (11) “…and Mobile, Alabama.”