2:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says CMS eventually agreed to an increase of nearly two and a half percent.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. While health experts say it’s safe, the bill’s author, Mike Fesi, says research keeps coming out on how fluoride impacts your body, including parts of your brain.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights at night from now through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

LSU baseball is getting more revenue share dollars next season. In an interview with Tiger Rag Magazine in February, Head Coach Jay Johnson expressed concern that not enough financial resources were being put into the program. Athletic Director Verge Ausberry tells ESPN Radio Baton Rouge they want to make sure Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

LRN PM Newscall April 10

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to do your part in keeping birds safe during their journey up north. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The LSU baseball program will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

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This is the time of year when birds pass through the Gulf Coast region for their annual migration up north. As such, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

Williams says that especially goes for landscape lighting.

Cut 4 (12) “…disorient the birds.”

Williams says whether you’re in a high-rise building or even in a single-story home, you should especially turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is monitoring the migration forecasting tool BirdCast to provide timely alerts.

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Louisiana seniors on the Medicare Advantage plan can rest easier, knowing that federal funding is getting a significant bump for 2027. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

Grubb says CMS eventually agreed to increase funding by 2.48-percent for next year.

Cut 7 (09) “…the following year.”

Grubb says this is not a seasonal issue, and policymakers need to always be mindful of the challenges that seniors face when it comes to being able to access quality healthcare.

Cut 8 (11) “…they need them.”

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The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill; he says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain.

Cut 9 (11)  “…into the water.”

The measure passed on a 26-7 vote. Some Democrats voted for the legislation, like Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide if they do not want fluoride in their water.

Cut 10 (10) “… of the people.”

Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s as a way to prevent tooth decay. Health experts say it’s safe. But Fesi says more research keeps coming out on how fluoride impacts your body, including parts of your brain.

Cut 11 (11) “…night to sleep?”

This measure still needs House approval.

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LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio.

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

This season, LSU baseball was sharing a five-percent allotment of revenue share dollars with softball, gymnastics and the Olympic sports. But Ausberry says for the 2026-27 athletic season, baseball will receive five-percent of the revenue sharing dollars to match what women’s basketball receives.

In an interview with Tiger Rag Magazine in February, Johnson expressed concerned that not enough financial resources was being put into the LSU baseball program. Ausberry says they want to make sure Johnson has what he needs to win.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the country.”

Ausberry says seven sports will receive revenue share dollars. Sports like track and field and swimming will receive more scholarship money. And he’s re-organized the athletic department to put more of emphasis on fundraising and securing NIL dollars.

Cut 14 (08) “…coaches daily.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. It passed on a 26-7 vote. Some Democrats voted in favor of the bill, including Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux, who is fine with giving Louisiana voters an opportunity to decide if they do not want fluoride in their water.

Cut 10 (11) “…vote of the people.”

The Medicare Advantage plan is getting an increase in federal funding of nearly two and a half percent. Darren Grubb with the advocacy group Medicare Advantage Majority says the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had originally proposed a funding increase of just nine-hundredths of one-percent, and that was not going to be nearly enough.

Cut 6 (09) “…an affordability crisis..”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says whether you’re in a high-rise building or even in a single-story home, you should especially turn off all lights that are visible from the outside.

Cut 5 (08) “…deaths as well.”

LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio…

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches.”

This season LSU baseball was sharing a five-percent allotment of revenue share dollars with softball, gymnastics and the Olympic sports.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would allow local governments to hold a vote to see if their residents want to have fluoride removed from their drinking water. Houma Republican Mike Fesi is the author of the bill. He says fluoride is bad for your body and your brain…

Cut 9 (11) “….the water”

Local governments began adding fluoride to public water systems in the mid-1900s as a way to prevent tooth decay. Health experts say its safe. This measure still needs House approval.

Birds are migrating back north and passing over Louisiana. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights on your property at 11 p-m each night through the end of May and that especially goes for landscape lighting…

Cut 4 (12) “…disorient brids.”

 

LSU baseball will receive more revenue sharing dollars to help the program keep winning championships. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro”

LSU is a special place to Johnny Jones. The 65-year-old DeRidder native led the men’s basketball team to the Final Four as a player, he was an assistant coach and he spent five seasons as a head coach at LSU. After an eight-year run as the head coach at Texas Southern, Jones is returning to LSU as an assistant coach for Will Wade.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Ole Miss. The Tigers are 6-and-6 in the SEC, while the Rebels are 5-and-7. The Rebels strength is their starting pitching. Hunter Elliott is tonight’s starter. He was on the 2022 national championship team. Sophomore Cade Townsend has an ERA of 1.82 and on Sunday, sophomore Taylor Rabe will start. He’s 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA.

LSU athletics director Verge Ausberry has announced that the LSU baseball program will receive more revenue share dollars next season. Ausberry made the announcement during an interview with Matt Moscona on ESPN Baton Rouge radio…

Cut 12 (11) “…with my coaches”

This season LSU baseball was sharing a five-percent allotment of revenue share dollars with softball, gymnastics and the Olympic sports. But Ausberry says for the 2026-27 athletic season, baseball will receive 5-percent of the revenue sharing dollars, to match what women’s basketball receives.

 

We are at the halfway point of LSU spring football and Coach Lane Kiffin said this week the defense is ahead of the offense. One of the key new additions to the defense is linebacker TJ Dottery, who lead the SEC in tackles last season at Ole Miss. Dottery believes LSU could have a special defense this season…

Cut 18 (14) “….part of it”

LSU is a special place to Johnny Jones. The 65-year-old DeRidder native led the men’s basketball team to the Final Four as a player, he was an assistant coach and he spent five seasons as a head coach at LSU. After an eight-year run as the head coach at Texas Southern, Jones is returning to LSU as an assistant coach for Will Wade.

On the women’s side, LSU’s starting point guard, Jada Richard, is reportedly entering the transfer portal. No reason given on why, but LSU is hosting a Laila Reynolds today. She was Florida’s point guard last season and averaged 12 points a game.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Among the constitutional amendments on next month’s ballot is one that would allow local governments to reduce or eliminate inventory taxes in exchange for a one-time payment. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says while the tax is universally disliked by the business community, getting rid of it is not that simple.

Cut 7 (14) “…they afford it?”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is urging you to turn off all unnecessary lights at night from now through the end of May. Board member Charles Williams, who founded the Lights Out Louisiana initiative, says excessive lighting can be very harmful to migrating birds.

Cut 3 (13) “…into those buildings.”

The House Labor Committee approves legislation that would protect a worker from disciplinary action if he or she does not use a co-worker’s preferred gender pronoun. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Police in Ruston arrest four people in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries. Police say the four, who range in age from 24 to 17, are responsible for breaking into 47 vehicles and one home. Police say the arrests come following a months-long operation of intelligence gathering and proactive patrol work, along with cooperation from the community.

10:30 LRN Newscast

If you misgender a co-worker in the workplace, you can’t be fired, under a bill heading to the House floor. Opponents of the legislation say some people who choose not to use the pronoun that a person wants to be identified as…is harassment. Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder says he will always use the birth-assigned pronouns based on his religious beliefs, and he shouldn’t lose his job over that.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to protect that.”

The measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

There are five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot. One of them is straightforward. Should Louisiana raise the mandatory retirement age of judges from 70 to 75 years-old. Steven Procopio of the Public Affairs Research Council…

Cut 8 (07) “….fresh or younger”

For a full breakdown of the five constitutional amendments. Go to PAR’s website.

About 300-thousand people are expected to attend the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Crawfish lovers will pay less for mudbugs this week, now that the Easter holiday is behind us. Laney King is the co-founder of the crawfish app…

Cut 14 (13) “…dollars a pound”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns. The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.

Shreveport Democratic Representative Tammy Phelps reminded the committee that as long as a business does not fire a worker based on race, sex, age, religion, natural origin or disability, it does not have to give a reason for the dismissal.

Cut 11 (06) “…why they’re firing.”

The discussion will continue on the House floor.

 

The 54th Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Fest begins today. It starts this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says they’ll be taking over Main Street tomorrow morning with a parade that begins at 9:30.

Cut 4 (08) “…off the weekend.”

About 300-thousand people are expected to attend the free festival and law enforcement from around the area will be on hand to make sure it’s a safe event.

And it will be an excellent weekend to boil crawfish. Laney King, co-founder of the Crawfish App, says there was a noticeable price drop following the Easter weekend, which is typical…

Cut 16 (06) “…nice price”

King says you can get a sack of live crawfish for under one-hundred dollars and $5.60 per pound for boiled crawfish.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Teacher pay raises won’t be the only thing voters will be deciding in next month’s constitutional amendment election. There are four other amendments on the ballot, including one on whether the mandatory retirement age for judges should be raised from 70 to 75 –.President and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, . Steven Procopio says this is the third time that this has been put to voters.

Cut 8 (08) “…fresh or younger?”

Big weekend in Ponchatoula as the annual Strawberry Festival gets underway this morning at eleven and runs through Sunday evening at six.  There’s a parade set for tomorrow morning at 9:30 and Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says this year’s strawberry crop is fantastic!

Cut 6 (12) “…them fast enough.”

One important change from last year – tonight and tomorrow night, the festival will close at eight o’clock, instead of ten.

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Ole Miss fifth-year senior transfer linebacker T.J. Dottery spoke about his decision to follow his coach to LSU. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

If you’ve been craving crawfish, now’s the time to get some as crawfish prices are down.   Crawfish App co-founder Lainey King says  now that Easter’s over,

Cut 15 (11) “…your favorite spot.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

There are several constitutional amendments to be decided in next months election.  Teacher pay is one.  But voters will also be deciding whether to authorize the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish.   Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council, says the only reason that this is going to voters statewide is because that’s what the rules say.

Cut 9 (07)  “…of the state.”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is happening this weekend.  It kicks off this morning at 11 and runs through Sunday evening at Memorial Park on North Sixth Street. Donald Lanier with the Strawberry Festival says there’s costs nothing to get in, and Lanier says there are strawberries everywhere.

Cut 5 (09) “…anything like that.”

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The House Labor Committee passes legislation that would prohibit a private or public employer from firing or taking retaliatory action against an employee for misgendering. Chairman Raymond Crews of Bossier City is the author of the legislation.

Cut 10 (09) “…is that proper?”

Crews is referring to Luke Ash, who was let go of his job last July after he refused to use someone’s preferred pronouns.

Peyton Rose Michelle, with Louisiana Trans Advocates, believes the legislation is unfair, because state law does not protect trans people from discrimination, yet this bill would protect someone who intentionally tries to disrespect a transgender individual.

Cut 12 (10) “…and be disrespectful.”

The measure is heading to the House floor after a six-to-four vote along party lines in House Labor.