4:30 LRN Newscast

The Senate approves a bill to boost the online betting tax from 15-percent to 21 and a half percent. Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser says one-quarter of the revenue generated will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state. While that represents a drop in the bucket for LSU, it will go a long way at other schools.

Cut 10 (07) “…year from this.”

Should the mandatory retirement age of judges be raised from 70 to 75? Looks like you’ll get to decide that next April. This after the Senate approved the proposed constitutional amendment by exactly the requisite two-thirds majority. Norco Republican Gregory Miller says Louisiana is an outlier when it comes to this issue.

Cut 8 (09) “…retirement age.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened this morning. Located off I-10 in Pass Christian, the massive 74-thousand-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…New Orleans and Mobile.”

For the 20th time, LSU is in the College World Series. The Tigers will play Arkansas on Saturday in its first game in Omaha. Tigers left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson says how Jay Johnson prepares the team during the regular season, prepares them for what they’ll also experience at the College World Series.

Cut 14 (13) “…play there.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. The Louisiana Senate has approved the proposed constitutional amendment. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says 70 years old is too young to force a judge into retirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

The House and Senate have not agreed on the exact language of the proposal, so it is in a conference committee. Details still have to be ironed before the session ends on Thursday.

LSU baseball is heading to the College World Series for the 20th time in program history. The Tigers swept their super regional series against West Virginia. Senior Josh Pearson from West Monroe says a lot of work went into getting back to Omaha…

Cut 13 (11( “…what we can do”

LSU will play Arkansas on Saturday in its first game at the College World Series.

St. Tammany Parish deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours. Deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

The first-ever Mississippi Gulf Coast Buc-ee’s opened today on I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

Should the mandatory retirement age of judges be raised from 70 to 75? Looks like you’ll get to decide that next April. This after the Senate approved the proposed constitutional amendment by exactly the requisite two-thirds majority. Norco Republican Gregory Miller says Louisiana is an outlier when it comes to this issue.

Cut 8 (09) “…retirement age.”

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, which will raise the tax from 15-percent to 21 and a half percent. One-quarter of the revenue generated will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state, and Riser says that’s a big reason why his bill made it across the finish line.

Cut 11 (03) “…getting this passed.”

Those of you coming back to Louisiana from Mississippi can now stop at a Buc-ee’s on the way back. Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened this morning off I-10. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says  the 80-million-dollar project will provide a major economic boost to the region.

Cut 5 (08) “…for the future.”

The LSU Tigers are headed to the College World Series again after sweeping their Super Regional series over West Virginia. Josh Pearson was one of the heroes in game one as he hit a grand slam. The senior from West Monroe says it’s the most unselfish team he’s ever been a part of.

Cut 12 (12) “…they are doing.” 

LSU plays its first game Saturday against Arkansas, who it beat two out of three times at Alex Box Stadium this season.

LRN PM Newscall June 9

The first-ever Mississippi Gulf Coast Buc-ee’s is open off I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

___________________________________________________

Louisiana voters might have the opportunity to decide in April whether the retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened today at 6 AM. Located off I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian, the massive 74-thousand-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana

Cut 3 (08) “…New Orleans and Mobile.”

To get to Buc-ee’s from downtown New Orleans, drivers can take I-10 east through Slidell and across the Mississippi border, exiting at Menge Avenue. Lavers says a newly expanded five-lane bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion around the site.

Cut 4 (12) “…just the beginning.”

Lavers says the 80-million-dollar project is expected to create over 200 jobs, offering 20 dollars per hour pay, benefits, and 401(k) matching, while providing a major economic boost to the region with Buc-ee’s visitors.

Cut 5 (08) “…for the future.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. The Louisiana Senate has approved the proposed constitutional amendment. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says 70 years old is too young to force a judge into retirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

The measure needed a two-thirds vote to pass and it got exactly that as it passed on a 26-13 vote. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh questioned why put this measure on the ballot again, when voters recently rejected a similar constitutional amendment.

Cut 7 (12) “…you are correct.”

Miller says Louisiana is an outlier when it comes to this issue.

Cut 8 (09) “…retirement age.”

Under Louisiana law, a judge can serve after the age of 70 if their term extends past their 70th birthday or if they are appointed as an ad hoc judge by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The House and Senate have not agreed on the exact language of the proposal, so it is in a conference committee. Details still have to be ironed before it ends up on the ballot in April of 2026.

________________________________________________

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, who says the amount of the tax that the legislature zeroed in on was a little lower than what he had originally proposed.

Cut 9 (11)  “…we agreed to.”

That 21 and a half percent is an increase from the current 15-percent, and Riser says one-quarter of the tax revenue generated from online betting will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state. While that represents a drop in the bucket for LSU, it will go a long way at other schools.

Cut 10 (07) “…year from this.”

Riser says the money that goes to the schools is a big reason why his bill made it across the finish line.

Cut 11 (03) “…getting this passed.”

_________________________________________________________

The LSU Tigers are headed to the College World Series again after sweeping their Super Regional series over West Virginia. Josh Pearson was one of the heroes in game one as he hit a grand slam. The senior from West Monroe says it’s the most unselfish team he’s ever been a part of.

Cut 12 (12) “…they are doing.” 

Pearson says a lot of work went into getting back to Omaha.

Cut 13 (11)  “…what we can do.”

LSU will play Arkansas on Saturday in its first game at the College World Series. Tigers left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson says how Jay Johnson prepares the team during the regular season, prepares them for what they’ll also experience at the College World Series.

Cut 14 (13) “…play there.”

Anderson will likely start LSU’s first game at the College World Series.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. The measure needed a two-thirds vote to pass, and it got exactly that as it passed the Senate 26-13. Shreveport Republican Alan Seabaugh questioned why put this measure on the ballot again, when voters recently rejected a similar amendment.

Cut 7 (12) “…you are correct.”

The Senate approves a bill to boost the online betting tax from 15-percent to 21 and a half percent. Columbia Republican Representative Neil Riser says one-quarter of the revenue generated will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state.

Cut 10 (07) “…year from this.”

The first-ever Mississippi Gulf Coast Buc-ee’s is open off I-10 at the Menge (MEN-jee) Avenue exit in Pass Christian.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A new report by the Legislative Auditor’s Office finds that the Department of Children and Families is understaffed. The report says child welfare offices were short at least 129 workers in the 2024 fiscal year and reported almost 150-million dollars in personal expenditures.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, who says the amount of the tax that the legislature zeroed in on was a little lower than what he had originally proposed.

Cut 9 (11)  “…we agreed to.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened today at 6 AM. Located off I-10 at the Menge Avenue exit in Pass Christian, the massive 74,000-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets.  To get to Buc-ee’s from downtown New Orleans, drivers can take I-10 east through Slidell and across the Mississippi border, exiting at Menge Avenue. Harrison County Economic Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says a newly expanded five-lane bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion around the site.

Cut 4 (12) “…just the beginning.”

Louisiana voters might have the opportunity to decide in April whether the retirement age of judges should be raised from 70 to 75 years old. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers are headed to the College World Series again after sweeping their Super Regional series over West Virginia. Josh Pearson was one of the heroes in game one as he hit a grand slam. The senior from West Monroe says it’s the most unselfish team he’s ever been a part of…

Cut 12 (12) “….loving what they are doing.

Pearson was on the 2023 national championship team and so was slugging Tigers first baseman Jared Jones. The Bear understands what it will take to bring home an eighth national championship …

Cut 17 (10)  “…get ready for Game 1.”

Game one will be Saturday against Arkansas.

 

LSU Coach Jay Johnson was also working the transfer portal while the Tigers were defeating West Virginia in the Super Regional Series. Seth Dardar, who played at Holy Cross in New Orleans, is returning to Louisiana to play for the Tigers. DarDar had a good season at Kansas State, leading the team with a .326 batting average, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. He hit a home run against LSU when the two teams met in Frisco, Texas.

A new era in college athletics is coming as a federal judge has approved a landmark two-point-eight-billion-dollar NCAA settlement with athletes. Starting July 1st, schools will be allowed to pay players directly, NIL deals will now have to go through a clearing house, and there will be roster limitations, 105 for football, 15 for basketball, and 34 for baseball.

And WWE has announced WrestleMania 42 will be in Las Vegas next year. It was originally scheduled for New Orleans, but the Big Easy will have to wait for another year.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Voters will likely have the opportunity in April to decide whether the mandatory retirement age of judges should be raised to 75 years old, after the Louisiana Senate approved the proposed constitutional amendment. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says 70 is too young to force a judge into retirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…of Louisiana.”

Mississippi’s first-ever Buc-ee’s opened this morning. Located off I-10 in Pass Christian, the massive 74-thousand-square-foot convenience store includes 126 gas pumps, 24 EV charging stations, and 165 toilets. Harrison County Development Commission Executive Director Bill Lavers says this new location will draw visitors from nearby states, especially Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…New Orleans and Mobile.”

AARP Louisiana is urging Governor Landry to veto Senate Bill 134, which would cap malpractice damages against nursing homes at 500-thousand dollars. The organization says it would effectively eliminate people’s ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice. Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”) says nursing homes in Louisiana rank among the nation’s worst. 

Cut 10 (12) “…them even worse.”

The bill’s author, Shreveport Republican Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes.

Cut 12 (14) “…or on site.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The LSU baseball team is headed to the College World Series for a 20th time. The Tigers swept the Super Regional series against West Virginia, winning last night 12 to 5 over the Mountaineers for their 48th win on the season. Coach Jay Johnson says the players put in the work to punch their ticket to Omaha…

Cut 14 (09) “…with them.”

A bill to largely ban speed cameras across the state – well, most of it, at least – is on Governor Landry’s desk. This is not the first effort of its kind. This version allows speed cameras to operate in school zones. Monroe Republican Senator Stewart Cathey says that’s a reasonable compromise.

Cut 8 (12) “…school zone’s operational.”

The House, however, added an amendment to exempt the City of Opelousas from the ban.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for overall child well-being according to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book. Jeanne Burns on why Louisiana ranks so low.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Congressman Clay Higgins is making another push to subject members of Congress to random drug testing. The Southwest Louisiana Republican has reintroduced the Exposing Congressional Drug Abuse Act, which would require members of Congress to take a random drug test once per term. Higgins made a similar effort back in 2018.

9:30 AM Newscast

AARP Louisiana says Senate Bill 134 would effectively eliminate the ability to hold nursing homes accountable for malpractice with a cap on malpractice damage and they’re urging Governor Landry to veto it.  Bill author, Senator Thomas Pressly, says his bill clarifies the Medical Malpractice Act, which was always intended to include nursing homes. AARP Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl (“mull”)….

Cut 11 (11) “…is held to.”

Lawmakers passed a bill to mostly outlaw speed cameras with exceptions for school zones and one town that says their police department doesn’t have the resources to run radar. The House amended Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill to exempt Opelousas. Cathey says it’s a slippery slope.

Cut 9 (12)  “…across our state.”

The LSU Baseball is heading to Omaha. It’s the Tigers 20th trip to the College World Series. They punched their ticket by sweeping West Virginia in the Super Regional with last night’s 12 to 5 win. Shortstop Stevan Milam was the offensive star of the series with a grand slam in game one and four more runs on Sunday night. Milam struggled with the bat in SEC play, but he’s been a Monster at the plate in the NCAA Tournament….

Cut 16 (09) “…to LSU.”

Louisiana ranks 49th in the country for overall child well-being according to the Kids Count Data Book Director of Data and Research at Agenda for Children, Tereasa Falgoust says s 30 percent of Louisiana children and teen deaths were due to homicide, double the national rate…

Cut 5 (14) “…the solution.”