1:30 LRN Newscast

State Senators are fed up and want solutions on how the Department of Children and Family Services can be more effective in preventing serious injuries of deaths after the state agency gets involved in child abuse cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says there have been 12 child deaths this year after 53 child deaths in 2025…

Cut 9 (10)  “…that child.”

Barrow has a bill to abolish the Department of Children and Family Services and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is so upset, he’s ready to vote for it…

Cut 13 (09) “…do it.”

Lawmakers have asked Secretary Rebecca Harris to present a plan in two weeks on how to improve DCFS.

 

We are about two weeks away from the May 16th primary and the three main candidates in the Senate Republican Primary have yet to agree on a date to hold a televised debate. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says John Fleming seems eager to debate…

Cut 7 (8) “…out there”

And Bill Cassidy keeps criticizing Julia Letlow for not committing to a TV debate.

The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could result in prison time if you lie about serving in the military. It’s known as stolen valor and Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says this is a way of protecting the integrity of the military service of Louisiana’s veterans, including himself.

Cut 5 (07) “…service means something (2x).”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Almost two weeks ago, Bill Cassidy challenged Julia Letlow to three debates ahead of the May 16th primary. So far, Letlow hasn’t committed to any one of them. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says with Letlow being the endorsed candidate of President Trump, what she’s doing is not uncommon.

Cut 6 (07) “…to disrupt things.”

A bill making what’s known as stolen valor a crime in Louisiana cleared the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House. While stolen valor is a federal offense, there is currently no stolen valor law in Louisiana. And Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley says bringing a federal complaint against someone misrepresenting military service can be a waste of time.

Cut 4 (07) “…types of cases.”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

Tomorrow’s hearing in the U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA in Lincoln Parish is off. Andre Champagne reports on the latest in Louisiana Tech’s quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season.

Cut (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A recent increase in the use of vape products has led to an increase in police presence at one high school in central Louisiana. This is happening at Natchitoches Central High School, where the sheriff’s office is using K9 units to search the campus.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team started a nine-game homestand with a seven to one win over Grambling State. Omaar Serna had a couple of hits, including his second home run of the season. Several relievers looked good for the Tigers, including left-hander Cooper Williams who struck out three of the four hitters he faced for his second good outing in a row. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 28 (09) “…proud of him”

Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan made some notable comments regarding free agency on Terron Armstead’s “The Set” podcast. Matt Paras, who covers the Saints for The Baton Rouge Advocate, says Jordan sounds open to leaving the Saints.

Cut 16 (14) “…of it all.”

And Paras says Jordan also wants to make sure he’ll get enough sacks to have another double-digit sack season.

 

The Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team will participate in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament after missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Even though the Lady Techsters didn’t make the big dance, head coach Brooke Stoehr (“store”) doesn’t want her players to forget the special things they were able to do this season.

Cut 19 (20) “…what they’ve accomplished.”

The Lady Techsters won the regular season Conference USA Championship It’s La Tech’s first outright title in 15 years.

Louisiana Tech baseball had a walk-off win last night as the Bulldogs defeated Central five to four. Trey Hawsey had the game winning hit.

And Southeastern Louisiana shutout eighth ranked Oklahoma three to nothing. The Sooners are in Baton Rouge on Thursday to begin a three game series against LSU.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that many public universities and colleges are struggling financially. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Are you having trouble accessing the official OMV website. It’s still expresslane-dot-la, but the domain extension changed this week from dot-org to dot-gov. OMV says the change strengthens cybersecurity protections.

 

Louisiana is the third best state to be a doctor says a report by Wallet Hub. The states were ranked on 19 metrics, including average annual salaries, the number of hospitals per capita and the quality of public hospital systems. Another metric is projected supply of physicians by 2032.

Cut 11 (10) “…in rural areas.”

If you lie about serving in the military, you could end up behind bars. A bill making what’s known as stolen valor a crime in Louisiana cleared the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House. It’s sponsored by Caleb Kleinpeter of Port Allen and backed by Louisiana V-A Secretary Charlton Meginley, who told the Senate Judiciary C Committee that stolen valor is not a victimless crime.

Cut 3 (11) “…gain to it.”

Depending on the severity, penalties range from small fines to five years in prison.

10:30 LRN Newscast

When it comes to the best states for doctors, Louisiana ranks surprisingly high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Health Secretary Doctor Bruce Greenstein says an estimated 21-thousand people in Louisiana will lose Medicaid coverage when new work requirements for the program take effect next year. The new rule is the result of federal legislation that calls for certain Medicaid recipients to prove they are working in school, job training or volunteering.

 

The May 16th primary is about two months away, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation on their voter registration. Landry says the May 16th primary is closed, which means only registered Republican voters or no-party voters can vote in the Republican primary, and only registered Democrats or no-party voters can vote in the Democratic primary.

Cut 7 (10) “…be affiliated with.”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com

In the UL System’s lawsuit against Conference USA, a hearing in Lincoln Parish is cancelled after Conference USA filed a motion to move the case to Federal Court. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, believes Conference USA is trying to extract as much money from Louisiana Tech as possible before its inevitable exit.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed is asking lawmakers to provide at least an additional 119-million dollars in state funding for higher ed. She says higher ed is 869-million dollars short of being fully funded because of inflation, enrollment dips and Reed says institutions are also feeling the pressure because athletic expenses are increasing.

Cut 6 (11) “…of the institution.”

Louisiana is the third best state to practice medicine, says a Wallet Hub report.  19 metrics were used including annual salaries, quality of public hospital systems, number of hospitals per capita, and projected supply of physicians by 2032. Wallet Hub analyst, Chip Lupo says Louisiana is doing a good job in retaining young doctors who had just completed their residencies.

Cut 12 (11) “…tend to stay.”

Saints veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan made some notable comments regarding free agency on Terron Armstead’s “The Set” podcast on Monday. Jordan said that just because he loves the city of New Orleans doesn’t mean the city or the organization has to love him back. Matt Paras, who covers the Saints for The Baton Rouge Advocate, says Jordan sounds open to leaving the Saints.

Cut 16 (14) “…of it all.”

The U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is stalled since the conference made a motion to move the suit to federal court. The lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech was filed in Tech’s quest to join the Sun Belt for the 2026 season. Both conferences include Tech on their 2026 football schedules. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, says even before it had issued its press release last week announcing that it plans on playing the 2026 Sun Belt schedule, Tech made it perfectly clear which direction it had planned on going.

Cut 15 (08) “…the Sun Belt.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

In the upcoming May 16th closed primary you can only vote for the party you’re registered with. If you have no party affiliation, you can choose either ballot but if there’s a run-off in June, Secretary of State Nancy Landry says if you vote in one party primary in May, you can’t switch to the other in June.

Cut 9 (12)  “…open general election.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says higher ed is 869-million dollars short of being fully funded. And that’s despite the closure of hundreds of programs. She says there are several reasons regional schools are struggling — inflation and enrollment dips can throw off their budgets.

Cut 5 (11) “…impact the institutions.”

Tomorrow’s hearing in the U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is cancelled. Here’s the latest in Louisiana Tech’s quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana is the third best state to be a doctor says a report by Wallet Hub. The states were ranked on 19 metrics, including average annual salaries, the number of hospitals per capita and the quality of public hospital systems. Another metric is projected supply of physicians by 2032.

Cut 11 (10) “…in rural areas.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that state funding for universities and colleges is not where it needs to be, as regional institutions in particular are struggling. Reed is calling on legislators to provide at least an additional 119-million dollars in state funding for higher ed.

Cut 4 (11) “…that are challenged.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation because in the upcoming May 16th primary you will only be allowed to vote on your registered party’s ballot. If you’re registered with no party affiliation, Landry says on voting day, you can declare which party’s primary you want to vote in.

Cut 8 (09) “…no party ballot?”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com.

When it comes to the best states for doctors, Louisiana ranks surprisingly high. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In the UL System’s lawsuit against Conference USA, a hearing in Lincoln Parish is cancelled after Conference USA filed a motion to move the case to Federal Court. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, believes Conference USA is trying to extract as much money from Louisiana Tech as possible before its inevitable exit.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Not the most exciting game, but the LSU Tigers beat Grambling seven to one last night. Just seven hits for the Tigers.  Omar Serna had two of the hits, including a solo home run that started a four-run eighth inning. Grant Fontenot and Mavrick Rizy each pitched two scoreless innings and struck out three. The Tigers begin a series at home against Oklahoma on Thursday.

The eighth-ranked Sooners were in Hammond last night, and Southeastern Louisiana shut out Oklahoma three to nothing. Five Lions pitchers held O-U to four hits and Nik Toups struck out five in three innings.

Elsewhere… 12th-ranked Southern Miss blanked Nicholls four to nothing and Trey Hawsey delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth as Louisiana Tech topped Central Arkansas five to four.

Tonight, the Cajuns are at Houston, ULM hosts UNO

And Venezuela beat the United States three to two to win the World Baseball Championship.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In a podcast hosted by former Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead, Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says the cents have to make sense for him to return. The Advocate and NOLA.com Saints reporter Matt Paras says Jordan also  wants the opportunity to get to double digit sacks again…

Cut 17 (13) “…fourth pass rusher”

 

The Lady Techsters will face Rice in the WBIT first round tomorrow at seven p.m. Coach Brooke Stoehr says that while it’s not the NCAA Tournament, she still believes there is value in continuing to compete in the postseason and extending the season with her team.

Cut 20 (10) “…pursue a championship.”

Last season, Tech reached the Final Four of the women’s NIT.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

The May 16th primary is about two months away, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry is urging voters to check their party affiliation on their voter registration. Landry says the May 16th primary is closed, which means only registered Republican voters or no-party voters can vote in the Republican primary, and only registered Democrats or no-party voters can vote in the Democratic primary.

Cut 7 (10) “…be affiliated with.”

The deadline to register for the May 16th primary election is April 15th in person or by mail. April 25th is the deadline to do it at geauxvote-dot-com.

Tomorrow’s hearing in Lincoln Parish in the U-L system’s lawsuit against Conference USA is cancelled. The U-L system filed the lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Tech in its quest to leave Conference USA for the Sun Belt for the 2026 football season. Matt Bellinson, a reporter with the Ruston Daily Leader, says Conference USA has filed a motion to move the case to federal court.

Cut 13 (08)  “…the federal level.”

Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed tells lawmakers that many public universities and colleges are struggling financially. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A WalletHub report says Louisiana is the third best place to be a doctor. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says one key reason is Louisiana’s relatively low cost of living, which makes it much more attractive for a young doctor saddled with mountains of student loan debt.

Cut 10 (12) “…Manhattan, New York.”