16:45 LRN Sportscast

The SEC Baseball Tournament began on Tuesday, and third seeded LSU finally gets its opportunity to play tonight as the Tigers take on Texas A&M, who has won two games this week. LSU is the gold standard when it comes to competing in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers have a league-best 94-50 All-time record. And LSU has won a conference-high 12 tournament titles. Coach Jay Johnson would like to win another one…

Cut 20 (18) “…what’s ahead”

The NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket comes out on Monday. According to both Baseball America and D-1 Baseball, the Tigers will be a Top 8 National seed.

Saints quarterback Jake Haener is expected to miss the rest of the OTA sessions after suffering an oblique strain. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the injury will sideline Haener for multiple weeks, but he should be ready for training camp. Coach Kellen Moore was asked if the injury is a significant setback for Haener, who is competing for starting quarterback…

Cut 18 (17)  “…continue to build.”

 

The Louisiana House has approved a resolution that asks the SEC to no longer schedule LSU home football games in September before six PM. Harahan Representative John Illg was asked by Shreveport Representative Steven Jackson if he would add other Louisiana schools to the resolution…

Cut 5 (07) “…for everybody else”

The resolution carries no official weight; it is merely a formal request to the SEC and to the TV networks which establish the kickoff times.

4:30 PM Newscast

Another jailbreak – this one in Tangipahoa Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A week ago today, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail and five of the escapees remain at large. It’s been three days since authorities announced the capture of an escapee. New Orleans Police announced today the arrest of 30-year-old Casey Smith for aiding at least two of the escapees. She’s accused of driving them to multiple locations following their escape.

And in St. Martin Parish, a 2007 SEC football championship ring is missing. Deputies say it was stole from a home in the Cade area last week along with several other items. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says they’ve been able to recover nearly all of the stolen property, but the ring remains missing. Higgins says investigators have made arrests.

Cut 11 (06) “…with anything else.” (suspects are juveniles)

During Memorial Day Weekend, the “Click It or Ticket” campaign heats up increasing the likelihood of tickets for unbuckled drivers and passengers. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert says data shows more than 88-percent of Louisiana drivers wear a seat belt and nearly half of vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unbelted.

Cut 7 (12) “…getting seriously injured”

3:30 PM Newscast

As of Friday afternoon, five of the 10 escapees from the Orleans Justice Center are still at large and another suspected accomplice has been arrested. NOPD arrested 30-year-old Casey Smith who they say admitted transporting some of the escapees. Three others were previously arrested by the State Police. 32-year-old Cortnie Harris, accused of transporting escapees. 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste accused of helping an escapee get food. 59-year-old Connie Weeden accused of providing cash to an escapee through a cell phone app. Maintenance worker at the jail, 33-year-old Sterling Williams allegedly turned off the water in a cell allowing inmates to escape through a hole behind a toilet.

And in Tangipahoa Parish, a manhunt is underway for 19-year-old Tra’Von Johnson, who escaped from the jail Thursday afternoon – and this is not the first time he’s escaped from that jail.  Sheriff Gerald Sticker says inmates flooded a cell and while jail employees were pushing the water out, both the cell door and an exterior door were open simultaneously for less than a minute, enough time for Johnson and another inmate to get out of the building – only Johnson left the property.

Cut 12 (09) “…the back fence.”

Johnson previously escaped jail with three other inmates in May of 2024.

An LSU SEC championship ring was among many items stolen from a home on May 13th and Martin Parish, sheriff’s investigators are looking to recover it. Major Ginny Higgins…

Cut 10 (07) “…bragging about it.”

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this ring is asked to call St. Martin Parish Crime Stoppers.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon. The temperature at kickoff was 94 degrees with a heat index of 100

Cut 3 (05) “…factor into it.”

 

The resolution if passed is only a formal request to the SEC and to the TV networks.

LRN PM Newscall May 23

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is holding another Click It or Ticket it campaign.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

___________________________________________________

Another jailbreak – this one in Tangipahoa Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon.

Cut 3 (05) “…factor into it.” 

The temperature at kickoff was 94 degrees with a heat index of 100, and Illg says that was too much for many fans to overcome. 

Cut 4 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

Shreveport Democrat Steven Jackson asked Illg whether he’d be open to including all schools in this non-binding resolution.

Cut 5 (07) “…for everybody else.”

The House passed Illg’s resolution unanimously. The resolution now goes to the Senate. It carries no official weight; it is merely a formal request to the SEC and to the TV networks which establish the kickoff times.

________________________________________________

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign ramps up seat belt law enforcement, increasing the likelihood of tickets for unbuckled drivers and passengers. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert says this high-visibility initiative stresses buckling up to avoid a 50-dollar fine and reminds driver’s seat belt safety to reduce crash fatalities.

Cut 6 (06) “…event of a crash.”

Lambert says data shows more than 88-percent of Louisiana drivers wear a seat belt, and nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unbelted.

Cut 7 (12) “…getting seriously injured”

Lambert says by combining strict enforcement with public awareness, the campaign aims to wearing seat belts every trip, every time.

Cut 8 (12) “…happy Memorial Day.”

________________________________________________

In St. Martin Parish, sheriff’s investigators are looking for an LSU SEC championship ring that was stolen earlier this month. Major Ginny Higgins says the ring was among many items stolen from a home on May 13th.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of this ring.”

Major Higgins says there are things that you can be on the lookout for as deputies look for the stolen ring. 

Cut 10 (07) “…bragging about it.”

Higgins says investigators have made arrests in this case. 

Cut 11 (06) “…with anything else.” (suspects are juveniles)

If you have any information on the whereabouts of this ring, call St. Martin Parish Crime Stoppers.

_______________________________________________________

Another jail break – this one in Tangipahoa Parish. A manhunt is underway for 19-year-old Tra’Von Johnson, who escaped from the jail Thursday afternoon – and this is not the first time he’s escaped from that jail.  Sheriff Gerald Sticker says at around 4:15 p-m, inmates had flooded one of the cells. At some point when jail employees were pushing the water out of the jail, the cell door and the exterior door were open simultaneously for less than a minute – plenty of time for Johnson and another inmate to escape. Sticker says they didn’t realize that Johnson was missing for more than five hours.

Cut 12 (09) “…the back fence.”

Sheriff Sticker says a deputy found someone Thursday night who matched that description, but an hours-long search that involved several departments, drones and search dogs came up empty.

Cut 13 (08)  “…on the loose.”

Johnson was being held at the jail for his alleged role in a deadly home invasion in 2022. Sticker apologized to Johnson’s victims.

Cut 14 (13) “…back into custody.”

The inmate who helped Johnson scale the fence is charged with accessory and simple escape, even though he never left jail grounds. At least four jail employees have been placed on administrative leave. Johnson had previously escaped the jail with three other inmates in May of 2024. The sheriff’s office says Johnson may be in the Tickfaw or Hammond-Pumpkin Center areas, since those are the areas that he had frequented.

2:30 PM Newscast

Another suspected accomplice has been arrested for allegedly helping the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last week. NOPD arrested 30-year-old Casey Smith who they say admitted transporting some of the escapees. Three others were previously arrested by State Police. 32-year-old Cortnie Harris is also accused of transporting escapees. 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste allegedly helped one of the escapees get food. 59-year-old Connie Weeden allegedly sent cash to an escapee through a cell phone app.  Maintenance worker at the jail, 33-year-old Sterling Williams, was the first arrested after he allegedly turned off the water in a cell allowing inmates to escape through a hole behind a toilet. As of Friday afternoon, five of the 10 escapees are still at large.

St. Martin Parish sheriff’s investigators are looking for an LSU SEC championship ring that was stolen earlier this month. Major Ginny Higgins says the ring was among many items stolen from a home on May 13th.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of this ring.”

Anyone with information about the ring is asked to call St. Martin Parish Crime Stoppers.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC to not schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after a a 2:30 September kickoff temperature was 94 degrees. Shreveport Democrat Steven Jackson asked Illg whether he’d be open to including all schools in this non-binding resolution.

Cut 5 (07) “…for everybody else.”

The House passed Illg’s resolution unanimously, but it is only a formal request to the SEC and to the TV networks which establish the kickoff times.

With increased travel beginning Memorial Day Weekend, The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is heating up. LHSC spokesperson Mark Lambert says by combining strict enforcement with public awareness, the campaign aims to encourage wearing seat belts every trip, every time.

Cut 8 (12) “…happy Memorial Day.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A week ago today, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail and five of the escapees remain at large. It’s been three days since authorities announced the capture of an escapee. New Orleans Police announced today the arrest of 30-year-old Casey Smith for aiding at least two of the escapees. She’s accused of driving them to multiple locations following their escape.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is holding another “Click it or Ticket” campaign.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

Two college baseball teams from Louisiana are in Lewiston, Idaho for the NAIA World Series. LSU-Shreveport is the top seed as the Pilots are a remarkable 54-0 and Loyola of New Orleans is making its first appearance in the NAIA World Series. Wolfpack Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team has persevered all season long…

Cut 13 (07) “….the job done”

Cole Romero from Acadiana High School is Loyola’s top hitter as he’s hitting .342 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs.

And in St. Martin Parish, a 2007 SEC football championship ring is missing. Deputies say it was stole from a home in the Cade area last week along with several other items. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says they’ve been able to recover nearly all of the stolen property, but the ring remains missing. Higgins says investigators have made arrests.

Cut 11 (06) “…with anything else.” (suspects are juveniles)

12:30 LRN Newscast

Memorial Day weekend is officially underway, and Triple-A says more than 45-million Americans will be traveling domestically. Don Redman with Triple A says the vast majority of people will be traveling by car, with gas prices 45 cents cheaper than last year. He says, however, that gas prices alone usually don’t determine whether people travel.

Cut 9 (12)  “…industry this summer.”

The “Click It or Ticket” campaign ramps up seat belt law enforcement, increasing the likelihood of tickets for unbuckled drivers and passengers. LHSC spokesman Mark Lambert says this high-visibility initiative stresses buckling up to avoid fines and reminds drivers of seat belt safety to reduce crash fatalities.

Cut 6 (06) “…event of a crash.”

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon. The temperature at kickoff was 94 degrees with a heat index of 100, and Illg says that was too much for many fans to overcome. 

Cut 4 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

The NAIA World Series begins today; and while all the talk is about the 54-and-0 Pilots of LSU Shreveport, they’re not the only Louisiana team playing. Loyola New Orleans is in the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history. The eighth seed faces third-seeded Tennessee Wesleyan. Wolfpack Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The number one ranked LSU baseball team begins play tonight in the SEC Tournament as the Tigers will face 13th seeded Texas A&M. Right fielder Jake Brown says they’ve been waiting all year for this event…

Cut 19 (11) “…this year”

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech are still alive in their respective conference tournaments. The Bulldogs defeated Liberty five to two. Luke Cooley was excellent in relief and won his seventh game. Blake Hooks earned his ninth save. Tech takes on Jacksonville State tonight.

The Cajuns rallied from a two-run deficit to beat Georgia Southern five to four. Lee Amdee’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning snapped a four-four tie. The Cajuns face Marshall tonight.

Tulane advanced to the semifinal round of the AAC Championship as the Green Wave defeated top seeded UTSA ten to six. UNO lost game one of the Southland Tournament championship series to Houston Christian eight to three.

The NAIA World Series starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. The Pilots take on Grand View, out of Iowa, at 1:30 this afternoon. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

Loyola New Orleans, meanwhile, is in the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history and is the eighth seed. They face Tennessee Wesleyan at five this afternoon central time.

11:30 LRN Newscast

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring.  Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

It was one week ago today, ten inmates from the Orleans Parish Jail executed one of the largest jail breaks in the state’s history. Five of them are still at large. State Police have arrested three people for allegedly helping the escapees stay on the run.

 

More good news in Louisiana education as the school year wraps up. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the latest Reading Screener shows that grade-level reading proficiency among kids kindergarten through third grade increased by 17-percent.

Cut 14 (07) “…at 64-percent.”

But 23-percent of third graders scored well below target reading levels and because of a new state law, they could be forced to re-take third grade again. Nearly 12-thousand third graders will have two more opportunities to score higher on the literacy test in order to advance to the fourth grade.

The House has passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games before six p-m in the month of September. Harahan Republican John Illg drafted the resolution after ESPN scheduled LSU’s September 21st home game against UCLA for 2:30 in the afternoon.

Cut 3 (05) “…factor into it.”

Numerous fans needed medical attention because of heat exhaustion.

10:30 LRN Newscast

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and Triple-A is projecting a busy one. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

On the heels of a 139-million-dollar increase in available funds for fiscal year 2026, an effort is now underway to restore 30-million dollars for high-dosage tutoring. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says it’s important for student success.

Cut 5 (07) “…those results continue.”

As LSU continues its march towards Omaha and the College World Series, two Louisiana teams will be competing in the NAIA World Series, which starts today in Lewiston, Idaho. The big story has been LSU Shreveport – 54 games, 54 wins. That’s the longest winning streak in all levels of college baseball among four-year schools. The Pilots take on Grand View, out of Iowa, at 11:30 this morning. Head Coach Brad Neffendorf says the way to beat them is not to worry about their opponent’s game, but rather to play their own game.

Cut 11 (07) “…done all year.”

Loyola New Orleans, meanwhile, is in the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history and is the eighth seed. They face Tennessee Wesleyan at three this afternoon, and Coach Jeremy Kennedy says his team will have its work cut out for itself.

Cut 12 (06) “…juggernaut as well.”