6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU coach Brian Kelly says running back Caden Durham is questionable for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss after suffering an ankle injury against Southeastern. Kelly says the staff will continue to monitor how Durham practices before upgrading or downgrading his status.

Cut 18 (14) “…during practice.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin made his first public comments about the romantic relationship between LSU star linebacker Whit Weeks and his daughter, Landry Kiffin, which became public on Monday. Kiffin says he’s happy for his daughter and called Weeks an awesome guy…

Cut 17 (14) “….the family”

_________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns will host Marshall on Saturday night in a rematch of last year’s Sun Belt Championship game. U-L Lafayette can’t shake the injury bug. One of the Cajuns’ top receivers, Shelton Sampson, will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, and injuries have also decimated their offensive line. Coach Michael Desormeaux…

Cut 20 (14) “…thin there”

Kick-off is at 7 PM at Our Lady of the Lourdes Stadium.

 

The Saints are off to a rough 0-and-3 start, but Coach Kellen Moore says there is still a lot of the season left…

Cut 22 (11) “…getting better”

Owner Gaye Benson was spotted at yesterday’s practice. New Orleans is at Buffalo this Sunday.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Cleanup continues in Tangipahoa Parish more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland that spewed oil and other toxic substances into the Tangipahoa River. Adam Adams, a federal on-scene coordinator with the EPA, says the EPA has set up a website to keep the public updated on the cleanup progress.

Cut 4 (12) “…waste we’ve recovered.”

North Louisiana has a new area code today. All new numbers will be given the area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says no existing phone numbers will change.

Cut 10 (08) “…into the area.”

The new code became necessary since North Louisiana ran out of telephone numbers.

It’s a new take on an old classic – the return of the Rice Bowl. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Northwestern State is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being one of the best public schools among regional universities in the South. Chief Marketing Officer Cole Young says it’s a testament to how the school is committed to student success.

Cut 13 (08)  “…in the workforce.”

Young says Northwestern has long made a commitment to individual student attention

LRN AM Newscall September 25

Cleanup continues more than a month after the massive chemical explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

It’s a new take on an old classic – the return of the Rice Bowl. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

____________________________________________

Ole Miss head football coach Lake Kiffin calls LSU linebacker Whit Weeks an awesome kid. Jeff Palermo reports he’d better – Weeks could end up being his son-in-law.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Cleanup continues in Tangipahoa Parish more than a month after the explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland that spewed oil and other toxic substances into the Tangipahoa River. Adam Adams, a federal on-scene coordinator with the EPA, says the EPA has set up a website to keep the public updated on the cleanup progress.

Cut 4 (12) “…waste we’ve recovered.”

Crews have contained the waste so that it does not get into the community; and so far, they have recovered more than five and a half million gallons of waste from the Tangipahoa River and affected ponds, and Adams says that represents more than half of the overall waste to be recovered. Adams says you can definitely see the progress in the ponds.

Cut 5 (08) “…products on there.”

Adams says yesterday, they started SCAT – Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques. He says that’s the final step in the cleanup of the river.

Cut 6 (13) “…a soft flush?”

To visit the site, go to response.epa.gov, click on the region containing Louisiana, and the Smitty’s Supply Fire is the first incident on the list. Scroll down slightly to the image containing a huge link for the hub site.

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A new take on a longtime college football rivalry game, as the Rice Bowl is making a comeback this year. The first edition is being held this Saturday between ULM and Arkansas State. Brice Jones with ULM says the resurrection of the game was the brainchild of the school’s new president, Dr. Carrie Castille.

Cut 7 (11) “…the same conference.”

Jones notes that Arkansas is the largest rice-producing state in the country, and Louisiana is not far behind at number-three. He says the two schools are using the occasion of the Rice Bowl not only athletically, but also academically.

Cut 8 (12) “…with our industry.”

Jones says the Rice Bowl is a great way to promote the rice industry in the two states.

Cut 9 (10)  “…in our backyard.”

Jones says it’s fitting that the game will be played the last Saturday of September, which happens to be National Rice Month.

___________________________________________

A new area code comes to North Louisiana today, as new numbers will be given the area code 457. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says no existing phone numbers will change.

Cut 10 (08) “…into the area.”

Campbell says the Public Service Commission made the move, because North Louisiana simply ran out of telephone numbers.

Cut 11 (04) “…to do something.”

Part of the introduction of the new area code involves a requirement to dial ten numbers to make all calls, including local calls. For a while, there was a getting-used-to period. But Campbell says that expired one month ago; so if you omit the area code, you’ll get nowhere.

Cut 12 (02) “…dial the 318.”

______________________________________________________

Northwestern State is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being one of the best public schools among regional universities in the South. Chief Marketing Officer Cole Young says it’s a testament to how the school is committed to student success.

Cut 13 (08)  “…in the workforce.”

Young says Northwestern has long made a commitment to individual student attention – something that large universities may not be equipped to do as easily.

Cut 14 (05) “…to student ratio.”

Young says the quality of students that Northwestern is bringing in has greatly improved in recent years.

Cut 15 (11) “…at this point.”

______________________________________________________

LSU’s offense will face a very familiar face when it travels to Oxford on Saturday. Ole Miss senior safety Sage Ryan started his career at LSU, but he transferred to the Rebels in the offseason after a disappointing 2024 season with the Tigers. Head coach Lane Kiffin says Ryan brings valuable experience to the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…our team.”

It’s been nothing short of an eventful week for the Kiffin family. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s daughter, Landry Kiffin, launched her relationship with LSU junior linebacker Whit Weeks on Instagram earlier this week. Kiffin says that he is happy for his daughter and says that Weeks comes from a great family.

Cut 17 (14)  “…the family.”

Head coach Brian Kelly told the media that running back Caden Durham’s status for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss is still up in the air after suffering an ankle injury against Southeastern. Kelly says the staff will continue to monitor how Durham practices before upgrading or downgrading his status.

Cut 18 (14) “…during practice.”

__________________________________________________

UL-Lafayette’s football team has dug itself into a deep hole after starting the season 1-3 before entering conference play. The Cajuns will look to get back on track against Marshall this weekend in what will be a very different rematch of the 2024 Sun Belt Championship. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that his team has to continue working on fixing its issues.

Cut 19 (14) “…to work.”

The Cajuns have had some of the worst injury luck in all of college football this season. U-L’s offense will be without offensive linemen George Jackson and J’Marion Gooch for the rest of the season, which could hurt the offense’s production. Desormeaux says there is a possibility to get a key player back from injury this week.

Cut 20 (13) “…thin there.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh), the bishop of Metuchen (meh-TOOTCH-in), New Jersey, to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio noted the abundance of Catholic schools in New Orleans.

Cut 4 (10) “…blessing that’ll be.”

Aymond noted that Checchio had previously served as the chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he expressed confidence that he could switch his allegiance to the Saints.

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state. 

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website.

Governor Landry proclaims today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Jeff Palermo reports it’s a day southwest Louisiana will never forget…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Nick Saban’s old house in Baton Rouge can be yours if the price is right! The house that Saban sold in 2005 for 2.7 million dollars is back on the market for just under five-million dollars. It’s just under 65-hundred square feet, has six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

On3 is reporting Trinidad Chambliss will start for Ole Miss at quarterback this Saturday against fourth-ranked LSU. Austin Simmons continues to recover from an ankle injury and is still not available. Chambliss is a transfer from Ferris State and performed well against Arkansas and Tulane, but Coach Lane Kiffin says the Tigers’ defensive secondary is very good as a result of transfer portal additions…

Cut 16 (16) “…playing great”

LSU Coach Brian Kelly says running back Caden Durham is questionable for Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. Kelly says they’ll see how he performs at practice this week.

And the Ragin Cajuns will not have one of their top receivers for several weeks as Shelton Samson has a hamstring injury.

 

The Saints were back on the practice field this morning for the first time since Sunday’s embarrassing blowout loss to Seattle on Sunday. Spotted at practice was owner Gayle Benson and first year head coach Kellen Moore says he appreciates her support…

Cut 21 (21) “…which is awesome”

The Saints are expected to get blown out again this Sunday as they visit Buffalo. The Bills are a 15.5 point favorite.

Some good Saints news…Drew Brees has been nominated for the Pro Football of Fame. The NFL’s second all-time leading passer is expected to be selected for enshrinement in February. This is his first year of eligibility.

 

Former Saints players Jahri Evans, La’Roi Glover, John Kasay, Lorenzo Neal, and Jake Delhomme have also been nominated.

4:30 LRN Newscast

It was 20 years ago today when Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the days after Rita were very difficult – power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. Governor Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

`Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

 

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The remains of a U-S Army Servicemen from Sabine Parish who died as a prisoner of war during World War Two will be buried on Tuesday in Anacoco beside his parents with full military honors. U-S Army Private Blanchard Pruitt was 19 when he died in 1943 of a disease caused by severe malnutrition. His remains were in a grave in the Philippines for decades.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh) from New Jersey to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio says he will put his leadership skills to good use in his new role.

Cut 3 (08) “…effective parish priests.”

Checchio says he will help the Archdiocese recover from bankruptcy brought on by sexual abuse committed by local priests.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is touring the state to meet directly with local business leaders. Bourgeois’ first stop yesterday was in Monroe, where she met with small business owners about the impact of the upcoming Meta A-I Data Center. Governor Landry says Bourgeois will meet with hundreds of businesses over the next several months…

Cut 8 (07) “:…needs and opportunities”

It’s called the Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour.

 

20 years ago today was a day that Southwest Louisiana will never forget. On that date, Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, resulting in one of the most destructive storms in southwest Louisiana’s history. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Roach says a big part of the recovery was that the city was able to hold Mardi Gras festivities in February of 2006.

LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. The SEC has announced that next season, LSU will host Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A-and-M and Texas. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau is looking forward to the matchup with the Longhorns, as it will likely mark the return of New Orleans native Arch Manning to Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…Bo Jackson.”

Texas has not played in Tiger Stadium since 1953.

2:30 LRN Newscast

It was 20 years ago today when Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the days after Rita were very difficult – power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Come November, James Checchio will become the new Archbishop of New Orleans. Checchio says he will play an integral role in helping the Archdiocese recover from the bankruptcy brought on by the proposed 230-million-dollar settlement from the sex abuse scandal.

Cut 5 (09) “…have been hurt.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. It’s one of four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week to strengthen the business climate in Louisiana. Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. Looking ahead to 2027, LSU will not play Alabama in the regular season for the first time since 1963. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Glen Guilbeau says the LSU-Alabama game is one of the most highly anticipated games every season, so it’ll be strange to see a schedule that does not have those two teams facing one another.

Cut 14 (05) “…TV ratings.”

LRN PM Newscall September 24

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

___________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry proclaims today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Jeff Palermo reports it’s a day southwest Louisiana will never forget…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. He has tapped James Checchio (CHETCH-ee-oh), the bishop of Metuchen (meh-TOOTCH-in), New Jersey, to succeed Gregory Aymond when he retires on November 12th. Checchio says he will put his leadership skills to good use in his new role.

Cut 3 (08) “…effective parish priests.”

Checchio noted the abundance of Catholic schools in New Orleans.

Cut 4 (10) “…blessing that’ll be.”

Checchio says he will play an integral role in helping the Archdiocese recover from the bankruptcy brought on by the proposed 230-million-dollar settlement from the sex abuse scandal.

Cut 5 (09) “…have been hurt.”

Aymond noted that Checchio had previously served as the chaplain of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he expressed confidence that he could switch his allegiance to the Saints.

________________________________________________

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state.

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Cut 7 (09) “…this new economy.”

Bourgeois’ first stop yesterday was in Monroe, where she met with small business owners about the impact of the upcoming Meta Data Center. Landry said Bourgeois will meet with hundreds of businesses throughout the state throughout the fiscal year.

Cut 8 (07) “…needs and opportunities.”

________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry has proclaimed today as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day. Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on this day 20 years ago, bringing powerful storm surge that devasted Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says the Category Three storm also destroyed homes and businesses…

Cut 9 (10)  “…were replaced.”

Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering as many lives were changed, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Governor Landry has ordered the flags at the State Capitol, and all state buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor the victims and those who contributed to recovery efforts.

Roach remembers the days after Rita were very difficult, as power was out, a large of portion of Calcasieu Parish was flooded, many roads were impassable because of downed trees and if you did travel through the city there was a good chance you would get a flat because of all of the debris…

Cut 11 (10) “…vehicles.”

Roach says a big part of the recovery was that the city was able to hold a Mardi Gras parade in February of 2006. He says it brought a lot of joy to the city.

______________________________________________________________

LSU now knows which conference opponents they’ll play for the next four seasons. The SEC has announced next season LSU will host Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A-and-M and Texas. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau is looking forward to the matchup with the Longhorns as it will likely mark the return of New Orleans native Arch Manning to Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…Bo Jackson.”

Texas has not played in Tiger Stadium since 1953.

LSU’s road opponents next season will be Arkansas, Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Under the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule format, each school will play every school at least twice over a four-year period. Guilbeau believes the format is good for the players and the fans…

Cut 13 (08)  “…dozen years.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 schedule, LSU will not play Alabama in the regular season for the first time since 1963. Guilbeau says the LSU-Alabama game is one of the most highly anticipated games every college football season, so it will be strange to see a schedule where the Tigers and Tide are not scheduled to play that season…

Cut 14 (05) “…TV ratings.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

20 years ago today was a day that Southwest Louisiana will never forget. On that date, Hurricane Rita made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, bringing powerful storm surge that devasted Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Former Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach says Rita produced a lot of suffering as many lives were changed, but he will always remember the resiliency of the community…

Cut 10 (06) “…part of.”

Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois has started her statewide Driving Louisiana Opportunity Tour. The tour, in which Bourgeois will meet directly with business leaders, is one of the four initiatives Governor Landry announced last week aimed at strengthening the business climate in the state. 

Cut 6 (03) “…an action tour.”

Landry said the tour will help connect businesses to one another through the new SourceLouisiana-dot-com website to make it easier for contractors to find jobs.

Pope Leo the 14th appoints a new archbishop of the New Orleans diocese. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Don Molino.”

When the University of New Orleans rejoins the LSU system, it may also revert back to its old name. Interim LSU President Matt Lee tells the Board of Regents that in order for the transfer to succeed, UNO should once again be called LSU New Orleans – which the school went by from 1958 to 1974. UNO’s enrollment fell from 17-thousand before Hurricane Katrina to six-thousand and has never recovered.