6:30 AM LRN Newscast

While the Republicans are dominating the airwaves in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race, there’s also a runoff on the Democratic side. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

After hours of scanning the New Orleans Lakeshore area on Sunday for a 30-40 year old Hispanic man who was reported missing yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard said most crews suspended their search for the night around eleven last night.  New Orleans police received the report of a drowning near the 1800 block of Lakeshore Drive just after three yesterday afternoon. We’re told the search will resume this morning.

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The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust (FAAL-goo), the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.

Cut 8 (06) “…full-time year-round.”

The University of New Orleans is switching gears as it prepares to transition to the LSU system on July 1st. Interim Chancellor Jeanette Weiland says the university wouldn’t have survived without the 20-million-dollar cash infusion from the state of Louisiana, but now they’re back in the black and looking ahead.

Cut 11 (11) “…is enrollment growth.”

Weiland is setting the institution’s fall enrollment goal at six thousand students.

LRN AM Newscall June 8

While the Republicans are dominating the airwaves in the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana, there’s also a runoff on the Democratic side. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has lots of room for improvement in child well-being. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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U-N-O is just one month away from becoming LSU New Orleans, and the transition is a game-changer, Kace Kieschnick Reports

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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While the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate are dominating the airwaves in the run-up to the runoff, both in terms of advertising and in headlines, there’s also a runoff for the Democratic nomination as well. Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett will square off on June 27th for the right to take on Julia Letlow or John Fleming in the November general election. Davis was the runaway top vote-getter in the primary, garnering 47-percent of the vote. He’s urging his supporters to get out the vote once again.

Cut 4 (12) “…once more again.”

Gary Crockett, on the other hand, barely eked out second place, besting Nick Albares by just 284 votes to advance to the runoff. Crockett says his strategy is to get Albares’ supporters on his side.

Cut 5 (07) “…voters as well.”

Davis is a former police juror in Tensas Parish and says his experience on that body, along with his experience in his chosen profession, make him well prepared for the rigors in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 6 (10) “…is all about.”

Crockett says that, while he comes from a different background and this is his first political campaign, he has what it takes to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Cut 7 (12) “…what is important.”

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The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement in the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust (FAAL-goo), the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.

Cut 8 (06) “…full-time year-round.”

Louisiana also ranked low in health and in family and community. Louisiana’s best individual ranking was in education, where it ranked 35th. Falgoust says it’s a testament to the investments the state is making in early childhood education.

Cut 9 (07)  “…and first grade.”

Falgoust says there is a positive to come out of this report – when compared to last year, Louisiana made one of the biggest improvements in the country.

Cut 10 (07) “…for South Carolina.”

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The University of New Orleans is switching gears as it prepares to transition to the LSU system on July 1st. Interim Chancellor Jeanette Weiland says the university wouldn’t have survived without the 20-million-dollar cash infusion from the state of Louisiana, but now they’re back in the black and looking ahead.

Cut 11 (11) “…is enrollment growth.”

Weiland is setting the institution’s fall enrollment goal at six thousand students. She says as part of the LSU system, UNO can aggressively target the thousands of applicants denied by LSU’s main campus who meet its admissions requirements.

Cut 12 (12) “…give them tours.”

Weiland, who’s a UNO graduate herself, says keeping the university flourishing is not just business, it’s personal. She says the soon-to-be LSU New Orleans offers opportunity at an affordable price nationwide, and the best is yet to come.

Cut 13 (11)  “…economic development impact.” 

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The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has approved new chronic wasting disease management zones as a result of legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. LDWF’s deer program manager Jonathan Bordelon says the size of the four zones has been reduced…

Cut 14 (09) “…were used prior.”

Three of the zones are located in northeast Louisiana, and a fourth zone covers most of Concordia and Avoyelles parishes.

There have been at least 55 confirmed cases of CWD since first detected in Louisiana in 2022. It’s a 100-percent fatal, neurodegenerative disease. Bordelon says that’s why the export of deer carcasses outside of the CWD Management Zone is prohibited…

Cut 15 (13) “…in new areas.”

One of the issues that lawmakers had with the CWD zones was that baiting restrictions penalized hunters and local businesses that rely on deer feed. Bordelon says the new CWC regulations allow from September 1st to March 31st, 2027, in the four CWD management zones…

Cut 16 (09) “…their surveillance goals.”

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed easing the baiting restrictions over concerns that bait piles lead to deer congregating, which increases the transmission of the fatal disease.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Today’s the last day you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration ahead of the June 27th U.S. Senate runoff. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

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You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The mayor of Pollock has been arrested on a “Peeping Tom” charge.  The Olla police chief issued a warrant for Douglas Beavers’ arrest after an incident involving a juvenile in Olla, stemming from when he was employed as a school coach and allegedly peeped on an underage child in the gymnasium bathroom. We’re told Beavers turned himself in yesterday.

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says today’s an important deadline.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary. Landry says otherwise, voters will cast the same party’s ballot on June 27th.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.”

Early voting begins next Friday, June 12th and runs through Saturday, June 20th, not including Friday, June 19th as Juneteenth is a state holiday.

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This weekend is free fishing weekend in Louisiana. Today and tomorrow,  the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family, but…

Cut 7 (09) “…still all apply.”

You can find all the details on the ldwf website.

It’s a big weekend in Ruston as the Louisiana Peach Festival is happening.  And making it happen was more difficult this year after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and today’s the last day to register to vote in that election or make changes to your voter registration.  Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

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The first bill Governor Jeff Landry has vetoed this year is Senate Bill 125 by Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux. It’s a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation to those who had been wrongfully incarcerated.

Cut 12 (11) “…to 600-thousand.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated, among other things, that the bill fails to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse, especially in light of rising costs and fewer dollars in the state budget.

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities began earlier in the week.  Today’s a big day though as Davis says there’s something for everyone.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in downtown Ruston.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Today’s the last day you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration ahead of the June 27th U.S. Senate runoff. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

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You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The mayor of Pollock has been arrested on a “Peeping Tom” charge.  The Olla police chief issued a warrant for Douglas Beavers’ arrest after an incident involving a juvenile in Olla, stemming from when he was employed as a school coach and allegedly peeped on an underage child in the gymnasium bathroom. We’re told Beavers turned himself in yesterday.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball might have found its replacement for Steven Milam as the Tigers have received a commitment from former Texas State shortstop Dawson Park. Park hit 3-oh-1 (301) with 13 home runs and 52 R-B-I’s for the Bobcats, but left the team in early May after an altercation with teammates.

Park is the second addition to the LSU roster through the transfer portal. The Tigers also got a commitment from former Gonzaga right-hander Landon Hood, who was the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year.

In the Super Regionals the Ole Miss Rebels defeated Auburn six to four to take game one. U-S-C upended North Carolina nine to five, Troy trounced Little Rock 12 to 2 and West Virginia won by the same score over Cal Poly. Today’s action begins at 10 AM as Mississippi State visits Georgia.

The Knicks defeated the Spurs 105 to 104 to go up two games to nothing in the NBA Finals.

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The SEC-ACC matchups in college basketball have been announced. The Lady Tigers will visit North Carolina, while Coach Will Wade’s team will host Wake Forest in the first week of December. The Tigers will also travel to Spokane, Washington to play Gonzaga.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey dismissed the idea that the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten are discussing a merger and creating a super league. In an interview with ESPN’s Paul Finebuam, Sankey said such an idea is not consistent with the truth.

The NCAA Division One cabinet held off on voting on an age-based eligibility model. Under the proposal under consideration, college athletes would have five years to complete eligibility, and the clock would start when they enroll in college for the first time or the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday. Such a proposal could prevent athletes 23 and older from playing college athletics. A vote is expected in a couple of weeks.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

An important deadline for the June 27th U.S. Senate runoffs – Saturday is the last day in which you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. This year’s peach fest was jeopardized after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has already started revamping his roster in the transfer portal this summer after a disappointing 30-and-28 season this year.

The Tigers welcomed their first two commits in Gonzaga pitcher Landon Hood and Texas State infielder Dawson Park. Hood was the freshman of the year in the West Coast Conference with 78 strikeouts in 54-and-one-third innings. Park hit 52 RBIs and 13 home runs on a .301 average.

Last season, Johnson brought in a trio of sluggers with 67 career homers among them. That group hit just 13 this year. ESPN Baton Rouge Radio’s Hunt Palmer says Johnson won’t rely on the portal for slugging again.

Cut 16 (16) “…huge power bat.”

He says this year’s portal class will try to add talent to the bullpen and versatility to the defense.

The Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament began today. West Virginia took care of business against Cal Poly with a 12-2 win to open the Morgantown Super Regional series. UNC is taking on USC in Chapel Hill, and Troy is hosting Little Rock. First pitch between Ole Miss and Auburn is set for 7:00 tonight.

Tomorrow’s games begin at 10 a.m. when Mississippi State takes on top-remaining-seed Georgia in Athens before the rematches between today’s opponents.

West Virginia will look to close out the series against Cal Poly at 11.

USC and UNC play at 1, followed by Troy and Little Rock at 2:00 and Ole Miss and Auburn at 4:00.

Kansas and Oklahoma begin the Lawrence Super Regional at 5 tomorrow evening.

At 7:00, Oregon and Texas will face off in Austin, and St. John’s and Alabama will cap off the full day of baseball at 8 p.m.

Also tonight is game two of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and Knicks. New York stole game one in San Antonio with a 105-95 win Wednesday night and has now won 12 straight games this postseason. Tip off is at 7:30.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry has some important information for you. She reminds no-party voters that whichever party’s ballot they cast in the May 16th primary will be the one they will cast in the runoff.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.” 

If you need to make any changes to your voter registration, you have until tomorrow to do so.

The Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. The Peach Festival is one of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state, and Experience Ruston President Tori  Davis says Ruston has gotten pretty good at doing all things peach. She says if you can think of a food, they can find a way to put a peach in it.

Cut 10 (11) “…peach dishes.” 

You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Livingston Parish family got an unwelcome surprise Friday morning – an alligator hanging out in the backyard. Kids and pets live in the French Settlement home where the alligator was chilling Friday morning. Police were able to safely wrangle the alligator and relocate it to its natural habitat.