4:45 LRN Sportscast

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is in Austin tonight for a top-five matchup against fourth-ranked Texas. It’s a rematch of the game played in the PMAC on January 11th, won by LSU 70 to 65.  Cory Diaz covers LSU women’s hoops for the USA Today Network, and he expects Texas coach Vic Schaefer to instruct his team to get the ball to six-foot-six center Kyla Oldacre.

Cut 17 (14)  “…in this game.”

Tip-off is at 8 PM.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading point guard Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks in exchange for guard Dalen Terry and two second-round picks.

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has been selected as the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year, which is voted on by the fans. Shough looks to bring home another trophy tonight as he awaits the announcement of the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

When it comes to recruiting, LSU football coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane in an effort to secure a pledge from both. Kiffin says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”

Louisiana Tech announced a reconstructed three-year contract for head football coach Sonny Cumbie today. Cumbie’s original five-year contract signed in January of 2022 was worth 1 million dollars per year. Cumbie’s reconstructed deal will be worth $760,000 per year, which also includes performance-based incentives. The remaining salary of $150,000 per year will be reallocated towards revenue-sharing and assistant coaches’ salary pools.

The Brooklyn Nets are waiving former LSU guard Cam Thomas, allowing him to find a new home.

4:30 LRN Newscast

State Senator Blake Miguez of New Iberia has received President Trump’s endorsement in the race for the District Five U.S. House seat. Miguez is running to represent a Congressional district in which he does not live in, which current law allows. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says this will be a major issue in the race…

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

One of Miguez’s opponents, Misti Cordell of Ouachita Parish, says she lives in the district and understands the needs of the district.

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place tomorrow in Ascension Parish on the River Parish Community College’s Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this 30-million dollar facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that’s being built nearby…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer”

 

Legendary Saints quarterback Drew Brees is expected to be announced tonight as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Cut 14  (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana Tech has announced a new three-year contract for football coach Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie’s base salary is reduced, freeing up 155-thousand dollars a year that can be used to pay the players more money as part of revenue sharing deals. Cumbie can make that money back by reaching several different on and off field performance-based incentives.

LRN PM Newscall February 5

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Tomorrow afternoon officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville….

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

Construction on the Hyundai Steel Mill is expected to be completed by 2029. It will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

Nelson says the RPCC Donaldsonville campus will expand technical training opportunities, strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support future workforce needs of industry partners in the River Parishes…

Cut 4 (06) “…these jobs.”

Nelson says construction of the RPCC Donaldsonville campus will cost the state 30-million dollars…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer.”

Hyundai  is making a nearly six-billion dollar investment in the construction of this steel mill in Ascension Parish

____________________________________________

President Trump has endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race, just one day after Miguez announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race to run for the House. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says when he heard that, his jaw dropped to the ground.

Cut 6 (09) “…crowded Republican field.”

Stockley says Trump’s endorsement of Miguez will almost certainly make that crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Miguez lives in New Iberia, which is quite a distance from the Fifth District boundary. By law, candidates do not have to live in the district they run in; they just need to live in the state. Still, Stockley says it’s in their best interest if they do.

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

Other Republicans who have confirmed their intention to enter the race include state senators Stewart Cathey of Monroe and Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge State Representative Dixon McMakin and Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe. Religious scholar Larry Foy, who has never held elected office, announced his candidacy as a Democrat before Julia Letlow launched her Senate run, abandoning her House re-election bid.

______________________________________

The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11)  “…designation.”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

The ice storm knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Today there are still hundreds without power. Ellis says once the power is fully restored, they will begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid…

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

Despite the lengthy power outages, the cleanup and the cold weather last week, Ellis says the people of Monroe have kept a positive attitude….

Cut 11 (09) “…spirits are up.”

_______________________________________________________

LSU’s football roster has undergone a massive turnover. 38 football players from the 2025 football team entered the transfer portal and coach Lane Kiffin says after a 7-6 season, the personnel needed to change.

Cut 12 (14) “…needed to be changes.”

When it comes to recruiting, Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane in an effort to secure a pledge from both. Kiffin says he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11)  “…designation.”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

Tomorrow afternoon officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville….

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

Construction on the Hyundai Steel Mill is expected to be completed by 2029. It will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

When it comes to recruiting, LSU Football Coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t like to take no for an answer. When top transfers Sam Leavitt and Jordan Seaton left Baton Rouge without committing, Kiffin hopped on a plane. Kiffin told the media yesterday that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cut 13 (13) “…how I work.”

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

A groundbreaking tomorrow for the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill which when complete will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year. The college also will expand other technical training opportunities, strengthen the regional talent pipeline and support future workforce needs of industry partners in the River Parishes…

Cut 4 (06) “…these jobs.”

President Trump has endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race, just one day after Miguez announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race to run for the House. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says when he heard that, his jaw dropped to the ground.

Cut 6 (09) “…crowded Republican field.”

Ouachita Parish and the city of Monroe took a heavy blow in the recent ice storms. More than 45-thousand customers were without power across the parish and hundreds are still without power but Monroe Mayor, Friday Ellis, says despite the lengthy power outages, the cleanup and the cold weather last week, the people of Monroe have kept a positive attitude….

Cut 11 (09) “…spirits are up.”

LSU football’s roster underwent a massive turnover after this last season. 38 football players from the 2025 football team entered the transfer portal. Speaking to the media yesterday, Coach Lane Kiffin says after a 7-6 season, the personnel needed to change.

Cut 12 (14) “…needed to be changes.”

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

State Senator Blake Miguez has received President Trump’s endorsement in the race for the District Five U.S. House seat but Miguez lives in New Iberia, which is not in the 5th district. Interestingly, candidates do not have to live in the district they represent as long as they live somewhere in the state. But ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says…

Cut 8 (10) “…in that district?”

Stockley believes Trump’s endorsement of Miguez will thin the crowd of candidates.

The recent ice storm knocked out power to more than 45-thousand customers in Ouachita Parish. Today there are still hundreds without power. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis once the power is fully restored, they will begin talking with utility providers about a more resilient power grid…

Cut 10 (12) “…start there.”

A groundbreaking ceremony takes place tomorrow in Ascension Parish for the construction of the River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be introduced during tonight’s NFL Honors program. And beloved former Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame tonight. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says it would be shocking if Brees is not a first ballot hall of famer.

Cut 13 (05)  “…Drew Brees’ name.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump makes another endorsement, and one analyst says this one’s a jaw-dropper. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Attorney General Liz Murrill is planning to sue New York and California as she’s looking to extradite doctors in those two states to Louisiana to face charges in the mailing of abortion drugs to people in Louisiana. California and New York have passed laws to prevent anti-abortion states from pursuing legal action against their residents over reproductive rights.

 

The city of Monroe, which has debris all over the place from the ice storm, is waiting to see if the disaster will be classified as Category A Emergency Work. This designation would mean Monroe and other communities will be reimbursed by the federal government at a higher rate for debris removal. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis is confident this disaster will receive the Category A designation…

Cut 9 (11) “…designation”

Ellis estimates the cost of debris removal for Monroe is 15-million dollars.

Groundbreaking ceremonies take place tomorrow in Ascension on the River Parish Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical School president Richard Nelson says this 30-million dollar facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that’s being built nearby…

Cut 5 (10) “…game changer”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Today could be a big day for the Saints franchise as former quarterback Drew Brees and offensive guard Jahri Evans are finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brees is expected to get in, while Evans may have to wait another year.

Veteran Saints linebacker Demario Davis is up for the NFL Man of the Year Award. And quarterback Tyler Shough is up for the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says it’s impressive Shough is a finalist when you consider he only started a little more than half the season…

Cut 15 (09) “….these overwhelming stats”

The fans believe Shough is the Rookie of the Year. Shough was named the Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rooke of the Year today. The winner is decided by fan voting at nfl.com.  In a statement, Shough says he’s truly humbled and honored to be chosen.

 

ULM men’s basketball won its first game in Sun Belt action last night as the Warhawks downed Old Dominion 85-79. Three ULM players scored more than 20 points, led by Krystian Lewis who had 28.

The Ragin Cajuns won their third straight as Dorian Finister drained a three-pointer with one second left to give U-L Lafayette a 64-61 win over James Madison. U-L Lafayette is now 6-and-6 in Sun Belt play.

La Tech men, Northwestern State and Grambling all lost last night.

Big game in women’s college basketball tonight as fifth-ranked LSU visits fourth-ranked Texas. It’s a rematch of the game played in the PMAC on January 11th, won by LSU 70 to 65. The Longhorns have one of the best defenses in the country, allowing only 55 points per game. Cory Diaz of the USA Today Network says handling Texas’ pressure will be a key for LSU…

Cut 16 (09) “…of this game.”

Tip off is at 8 PM.

11:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump’s endorsement of State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race will certainly have a huge impact. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says that will make the crowded field significantly less so.

Cut 7 (07) “…to some degree.”

Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and Misti Cordell have also announced their intentions to seek the GOP nomination.

Tomorrow afternoon, officials will break ground on the new River Parishes Community College Donaldsonville campus. Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Richard Nelson says this facility will train workers for the Hyundai Steel mill that will be built over the next few years on the Westbank of the Mississippi River in Donaldsonville.

Cut 3 (04) “…advanced manufacturing.”

The Hyundai Steel mill will employ 13-hundred workers with an average salary of 95-thousand dollars a year.

Delta Utilities customers facing financial hardship can get some help paying their natural gas bills, thanks to a venture the company has launched with the United Way. Sarah McLaughlin Porteous (PORT-ee-uhs) with Delta Utilities says the assistance is meant to be limited in nature.

Cut 5 (04) “…12-month period.”

There is an application process, and there are eligibility requirements, including income relative to household size.

Lane Kiffin touted the quarterbacks he and his staff recruited to LSU in his first remarks to the media since his introductory news conference. Kiffin brought in Sam Leavitt of Arizona State, Husan (HOO-sahn) Longstreet of USC and Landen Clark of Elon. Kiffin says he’s most proud of his staff’s ability to build one of the best quarterback rooms in the country through the portal.

Cut 11 (13) “…about their competitiveness.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Last night, President Trump endorsed State Senator Blake Miguez in the District Five U.S. House race, just one day after Miguez announced his withdrawal from the U.S. Senate race to run for the House. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says when he heard that, his jaw dropped to the ground.

Cut 6 (12) “…crowded Republican field.”

Miguez is one of four state lawmakers running for the 5th district seat. The other candidates are legislators Stewart Cathey, Rick Edmonds, Dixon McMakin and the fifth announced candidate is Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell.

Four people have now been arrested for their roles in a fatal fire in Shreveport last October that killed two sisters, an eight-year-old and a five-year-old. We learned earlier this week that the grandmother of the young girls was arrested. Investigators say Rita Montgomery allegedly used a makeshift explosive device. The latest people arrested were the young girls aunt and uncle.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis gives us an update on the recovery from the ice storm….

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin spoke yesterday about the turnover of the roster that has taken place over the last few weeks. Kiffin on getting incoming freshmen defensive linemen Lamar Brown and Richardson Anderson to sign with LSU on his first week on the job…

Cut 10 (15) “….knew it was LSU”