LRN AM Newscall June 26

If you didn’t cast a ballot in early voting in the U.S. Senate runoffs, you have one more chance tomorrow. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Calvary Baptist Lady Cavaliers are officially high school softball national champions. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Tomorrow is the day when we will find out who will be advancing to the general election for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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If you haven’t voted in the U.S. Senate runoffs, tomorrow is your last chance to do so. Overall turnout in early and absentee voting was just under 165-thousand, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects the turnout tomorrow to be low as well.

Cut 4 (06) “…percent for Saturday.”

If you’re a no-party voter and you cast either a Republican or Democratic ballot last month, that’s the ballot you will cast this time around, unless you registered with the opposite party before the deadline. Landry says no-party voters who either cast a no-party ballot or didn’t cast a ballot at all will still have the option.

Cut 5 (13) “…May and June.”

Landry says depending on where you live, you may find some other items on your ballot to vote on.

Cut 6 (10) “…party primary items.”

You can view your sample ballot on GeauxVote-dot-com or on the GeauxVote app.

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The Calvary Baptist softball team was named this year’s national champion by MaxPreps-dot-com. The Lady Cavaliers went 37-and-1 this season and earned their sixth straight state title. They become the first Louisiana high school team to be named national champions by MaxPreps. Coach Tiffany Frazier Wood says the feeling is hard to describe.

Cut 7 (11) “…it’s been exciting.”

Calvary finished in the top five in MaxPreps’ final ranking last year and spent most of this season in the top spot. The Lady Cavaliers dropped out of first after their lone loss of the season. Wood says the team that replaced them as number-one lost in their playoffs.

Cut 8 (11) “…their final poll.”

Wood and her team waited 51 days for the official announcement as schools across the country wrapped up their playoffs.

This Calvary team was led by seniors Kynzee Anderson and Abby Sims, who have been with the program since seventh grade and were a part of all six state championships. Wood says the program wouldn’t be what it is today without the teas that laid the foundation.

Cut 9 (11)  “…number-one spot.”

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Governor Jeff Landry signs an executive order that he says will ensure that residents and local businesses are not paying for the massive amount of energy needed to power A-I data centers. Landry says the order will require data center companies to follow a new set of guidelines in order to qualify for tax breaks.

Cut 10 (09) “…on the ratepayer.”

Data Center companies will be required to submit evidence to the Louisiana Department of Economic Development that they are able to pay for their own electricity needs.

There are four data center campuses under construction in Louisiana, and Landry says more artificial intelligence centers could be on the way, but not at the expense of the ratepayer.

Cut 11 (10) “…meet those demands.”

The governor signed the Louisiana Ratepayer and Community Protection Initiative a week after an Advocate newspaper report that said Entergy was planning to purchase a power plant in Texas to help power the Meta data center in Richland Parish. The acquisition would cost the average Entergy residential ratepayer eight dollars a month.

Landry says data centers can do business in Louisiana, but they cannot pass along costs to customers and that’s what his executive order ensures.

Cut 12 (10) “…the East Coast.”

Entergy says its plan to purchase the Texas power plant was part of its supply plan before Meta was a potential customer. Entergy Louisiana also says it’s committed to delivering an estimated 2.8-billion dollars in customer savings over the next two decades.

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By the end of the day tomorrow, we will know exactly who will advance to the general election for U.S. Senate. On the Republican side, a runoff that had all the makings for a runaway is now anything but. Recent polls show John Fleming either closing the gap or catching Julia Letlow. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says he feels that Letlow may have counted her chickens before they hatched.

Cut 13 (07)  “…race of it.”

Whereas Fleming was the first candidate to launch a challenge against Bill Cassidy, Letlow was the last to enter the GOP race after getting President Trump’s endorsement. Cross says while that endorsement cleared out the field of challengers, that may actually end up working against Letlow.

Cut 14 (10) “…the establishment candidate.”

Cross says while the race between Fleming and Letlow appears to be coming down to the wire, the same cannot be said for Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett as they vie for the Democratic nomination.

Cut 15 (08) “…the final election.”

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inducts its 2026 class tomorrow night. Former LSU basketball coach John Brady led LSU to four NCAA tournament appearances and two SEC regular season titles. In 2006, he became the third Tigers coach to lead a team to the Final Four. He says that team was a special group.

Cut 16 (14) “…one overall seed.”

Former UL-Lafayette catcher Jonathan Lucroy set records with 184 RBI, 54 doubles and 414 total bases. He hit 35 home runs with a .356 batting average and was a two-time All-Sun Belt selection. Lucroy was a two-time MLB All-Star in 12 seasons in the majors and says he owes it all to Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux.

Cut 17 (18) “…that includes him.”

Monroe native and former Wossman High star Pat Williams played 14 seasons in the NFL. The nose tackle was one of the league’s top run stoppers, earning three Pro Bowl selections. He signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent and says he learned from Hall of Famers like Bruce Smith.

Cut 18 (10) “…be great too.”

The induction ceremony will be held in Natchitoches and televised statewide on LPB.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Saturday is the day when we will find out who will be advancing to the general election for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has switched his position on Iran after meeting with Vice President J-D Vance. In a post on X, Cassidy thanked Vance and Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, for addressing his concerns. Cassidy then voted against a resolution urging an end to the war, after voting for a similar resolution the day before.

 

East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell faces a second-degree battery charge after video shows him punching his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. Spell claims the 20-year-old threatened to rape and kill his family and Spell’s attorney alleges the Central Police Department is working with the neighbors against the Reverend. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran denies the allegation…

Cut 14 (11) “…out here”

The criminal charge against Spell was filed by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

The massive rainfall in Avoyelles Parish one week ago is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service is among a team of meteorologists who have verified that reading.

Cut 10 (10) “…will become official.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Brother Martin five-star receiver Easton Royal took his final official visit to Texas this past weekend after trips to LSU and Florida. TigerBait-dot-com’s Preston Guy says Lane Kiffin will have to open up the LSU pocketbook if he wants to flip the nation’s top receiver.

Cut 17 (17) “…high school players.”

He believes LSU is starting to approach Texas’s NIL offer, and a flip is likely if the Tigers can remain competitive.

The SEC released the home and away schedule for LSU men’s basketball. The Tigers have home and away games against Auburn, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Will Wade’s squad will host Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vanderbilt take road trips to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Calvary Baptist was named the 2026 national high school champions by MaxPreps-dot-com. The Lady Cavaliers earned their sixth state title in a row with a 37-and-1 record this season.

The Shrine on Airline will undergo a 30-million-dollar transformation into a venue hosting high school football, soccer, concerts and more. Construction is scheduled to be completed June of next year.

Former Ragin’ Cajuns utility player Miki Watts is transferring to ULM. She appeared in 24 games this season, hitting .325 with 10 RBIS in only 40 at-bats. She’ll join a Warhawk team that went 38-and-20 this season and finished first in the Sun Belt with a 19-and-5 conference record.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its final World Cup group stage game tonight against Turkey. The U.S. has already clinched first in the group and will likely play Bosnia-Herzegovina in the round of 32. Manager Mauricio Pochettino likely won’t risk playing four starters with yellow cards. Kickoff in LA is scheduled for 9 p.m.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Last Thursday’s torrential rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service says there are indications that some areas got even more.

Cut 11 (07) “…around 30 inches.”

East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell said he had a right to defend his family and church by fighting a neighbor who he claims threatened to kill and rape his family. Spell and his attorney blamed the Central Police Department for a failure to respond to numerous complaints made about the family, but Police Chief Roger Corcoran says that’s news to him.

Cut 12 (11) “…back and look.”

A bipartisan trio of Louisiana congressmen is supporting a bill that would reclassify crawfish processors .By reclassifying them as agricultural workers, they would be eligible for the uncapped H-2A visa program instead of having to secure a capped H-2B visa. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says the current arrangement led to a shortage of crawfish peelers this year.

Cut 4 (11) “…within that cap.”

The Shrine on Airline is getting a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the former baseball stadium into a multi-use venue. Jerry Bologna, the executive director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, says it will add visitor sideline seating, which is a must for high school football.

Cut 7 (11) “…view the games.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

Last Thursday’s torrential rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) is with the National Weather Service.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on the gauge.”

The previous state record for highest rainfall total in a 24-hour period was set in the Cameron Parish town of Hackberry in 1962.

The other big story in the state is Reverend Tony Spell. The controversial pastor in Central near Baton Rouge faces second-degree battery charge after a fistfight caught on video with his neighbor’s 20-year-son son. Spell says he’s reported his neighbors to the Central Police Department on numerous occasions, but Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says they only have one complaint on file…

Cut 13 (10) “…responds to that”

 

Construction is underway on a 30-million-dollar renovation to the Shrine on Airline. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Lott Oil Company has been named the 2026 NFIB Small Business Champion for Louisiana. The NFIB says Lott Oil began as a small fuel distributor with a single truck and two employees and it has grown into one of Louisiana’s largest family-owned fuel and lubricant providers.

2:30 LRN Newscast

East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell faces a second-degree battery charge after video shows him punching his neighbor’s 20-year-old son. Spell claims the 20-year-old threatened to rape and kill his family and Spell’s attorney alleges the Central Police Department is working with the neighbors against the Reverend. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran denies the allegation…

Cut 14 (11) “…out here”

The criminal charge against Spell was filed by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

 

Construction is underway to transform the Shrine on Airline from a baseball park to a venue that will have better seating for high school football games and also have the ability to host concerts and festivals. Director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission Jerry Bologna says an entertainment venue in the area has proven to be successful…

Cut 8 (08) “…help that”

 

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are joining forces on national legislation aimed at reclassifying crawfish processors.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has changed his position on Iran after meeting with Vice President J-D Vance. In a post on X, Cassidy thanked Vance and Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for addressing his concerns. Cassidy also voted against a resolution urging an end to the war, after voting for a similar resolution the day before.

LRN PM Newscall June 25

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are joining forces on national legislation aimed at reclassifying crawfish processors. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Construction is underway on a 30-million-dollar renovation to the Shrine on Airline. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Louisiana lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are sponsoring legislation that would reclassify those who work on crawfish farms. Congressmen Troy Carter, Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are joining forces in proposing what’s known as the CRAW Act. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says Congress had gotten it wrong by not classifying crawfish processors as agricultural workers.

Cut 3 (11) “…of the programs.”

By reclassifying them as agricultural workers, crawfish processors would be eligible for the uncapped H-2A visa program instead of having to secure a capped H-2B visa. Brown says the current arrangement could be detrimental to food security, as evidenced this year by the shortage of crawfish peelers.

Cut 4 (11) “…within that cap.”

Brown says these workers are not taking any jobs away from Americans, who he says on a whole simply do not find that work very a-peel-ing.

Cut 5 (14) “…off the job.”

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The Shrine on Airline is receiving a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the baseball stadium into a multi-use venue hosting football, soccer, concerts and more. Jefferson Parish is putting 15-million-dollars in pandemic relief funding towards the project. Executive Director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission Jerry Bologna says it’s an investment in the community.

Cut 6 (12) “…events like this.”

Construction is scheduled to be completed June of next year.

While the stadium has already received interest from minor league football and soccer teams, its primary function will be a home for high school sports. Bologna says the renovation will add visitor sideline seating for the first time, a must for high school football in the area.

Cut 7 (11) “…view the game.”

The transformation will also add a stage to host concerts and festivals. Bologna says an entertainment venue in the area has proven to be successful.

Cut 8 (08) “…help that.”

He hopes the investment in the Shrine will spur development along the Airline corridor.

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Last Thursday’s torrential rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service is among a team of meteorologists who are now verifying that measurement.

Cut 9 (07)  “…on the gauge.”

Brazzell says the team, which also includes State Climatologist Jay Grymes, has verified the volunteer’s rain reading from that day.

Cut 10 (10) “…will become official.” 

And once it becomes official, it would annihilate the previous record of 22 inches, set in Hackberry on August 29th, 1962. Brazzell says there are indications that some areas got even more than 29.06 inches.

Cut 11 (07) “…around 30 inches.”

To put those numbers in perspective – those areas of Avoyelles Parish got seven times more rainfall in 12 hours than what the Las Vegas metropolitan area gets in one year.

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East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell said he had a right to defend his family and church by fighting a neighbor who he claims threatened to kill and rape his family. Spell and his attorney blamed the Central Police Department for a failure to respond to numerous complaints made about the family, but Police Chief Roger Corcoran refutes the claim.

Cut 12 (11) “…back and look.”

Corcoran says his department has record of only five incidents involving the Spells in the last four years, and only one of those was a complaint, which a detective followed up with.

Cut 13 (10) “…responds to that.”

Corcoran says even if the department had received several complaints, the Spells would have been redirected to the sheriff’s office.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged Spell with second-degree battery, and Corcoran says he will not interfere with their investigation. Spell’s attorney alleged that Central Police were working with the neighbors against Spell. Corcoran denies the allegation.

Cut 14 (11) “…out here.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The massive rainfall in Avoyelles Parish one week ago is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service is among a team of meteorologists who have verified that reading.

Cut 10 (10) “…will become official.” 

East Baton Rouge Parish Pastor Tony Spell said he had a right to defend his family and church by fighting a neighbor who he claims threatened to kill and rape his family. Spell and his attorney blamed the Central Police Department for a failure to respond to numerous complaints made about the family, but Police Chief Roger Corcoran says that’s news to him.

Cut 12 (11) “…back and look.”

Those looking to come to the U.S. to work as seasonal crawfish peelers could soon be eligible for the uncapped H-2A visas, under legislation sponsored by a bipartisan trio of Louisiana congressmen. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says these workers are not taking any jobs away from Americans, who he says on a whole simply do not find that work very a-peel-ing.

Cut 5 (14) “…off the job.”

The Shrine on Airline is getting a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the former baseball stadium into a multi-use venue. Jerry Bologna, the executive director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, says it will add visitor sideline seating, which is a must for high school football.

Cut 7 (07) “…first class facility.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Last Thursday’s torrential rainfall in Avoyelles Parish is one step closer to being an official state record. A volunteer observer with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network measured 29.06 inches of rain within a 12-hour period three miles southeast of Cottonport. Jonathan Brazzell (“Brazil”) with the National Weather Service says there are indications that some areas got even more.

Cut 11 (07) “…around 30 inches.”

Guest workers could soon be eligible for H-2A visas to work as crawfish processors. Congressmen Troy Carter, Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are joining forces in legislation that would make them eligible for the uncapped visas. Andy Brown with the Louisiana Farm Bureau says Congress had gotten it wrong by not classifying them as agricultural workers.

Cut 3 (11) “…of the programs.”

Construction is underway on a 30-million-dollar renovation to the Shrine on Airline. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

With the 58th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select Jaron Pierre Jr. from SMU. Pierre averaged 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists during his lone season with the Mustangs. Pierre was the Pelicans’ one and only selection in the draft.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU is building momentum in its effort to flip Texas wide receiver commit Easton Royal. The Brother Martin product is the top receiver in the nation and committed to the Longhorns in November. Tigerbait-dot-com’s Preston Guy says the Tigers’ pursuit of Louisiana’s top prospect has ramped up since Lane Kiffin arrived in Baton Rouge.

Cut 16 (13) “…’til signing day.”

The Shrine on Airline is receiving a 30-million-dollar renovation to convert the baseball stadium into a multi-use venue. The renovation will add a football field and visitor sideline seating for the first time. Director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Jerry Bologna, says it will host John Curtis and Catholic League football games.

Cut 7 (11) “…view the game.”

The NCAA is introducing a new five-for-five eligibility model, granting athletes five years to play up to five seasons and effectively eliminating redshirts. That window starts either when the athlete initially enrolls in college or turns 19, whichever is first. Hunt Palmer of ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge says the new rule will be a positive for college athletics.

Cut 19 (17) “…to play basketball.”

Former LSU center Naz Reid was traded to the Hornets in exchange for All-Star Guard LaMelo Ball. The Timberwolves also sent a 2033 first and a slew of second-round picks.

Former Tigers pitcher Gage Jump was lights out again last night, allowing just three hits and a walk in five innings. With nine Ks, Jump struck out half of the batters he faced in his sixth major league start. He’s posting a 2.04 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks on the season.