5:30 LRN Newscast

Drivers are starting to feel some relief at the gas pumps. The big question is, how long will this downward trend continue? Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gasoline prices have dropped about 17 cents over the last week.

Cut 12 (06) “…$3.81 a gallon.” 

Redman says that trend could be short-lived, however, with the price of oil on the rise, a lack of deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and any potential tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

Changes are coming to DCFS as a result of the legislative session. A bill by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow awaiting Governor Landry’s signature adds a law enforcement liaison to the department. Barrow says the end goal of her bill is to improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children.

Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed.”

The U.S. Senate held a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Later this month, a three-judge federal panel from the Western District of Louisiana will review the state’s newly-enacted congressional map. A group contesting the map is taking exception to District 2, which stretches from New Orleans into North Baton Rouge, potentially creating a racial gerrymander similar to the last map that the Supreme Court struck down.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints running back Alvin Kamara unexpectedly reported for OTAs today. Fans have questioned whether Kamara would be in New Orleans this season after the Saints signed free agent Travis Etienne and restructured his contract. Kamara says he was lying in bed in Miami last night when he decided to catch a 10 p.m. flight to New Orleans

Cut 19 (16) “…little smile.”

Head coach Kellen Moore and GM Mickey Loomis have avoided questions cementing Kamara’s spot on the roster alongside Etienne. Kamara says he hasn’t been involved in any offseason conversations, and they won’t affect his preparation.

Cut 20 (14) “…they’ll be made.”

The LHSAA is bringing the Boys’ Basketball State Championships back to the CAJUNDOME. Association Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says basketball coaches have been asking to bring the tournament back to Lafayette for years.

Cut 7 (12) “…to fruition.”

NCAA Super Regionals begin Friday. Third-overall seed Georgia is the top team left in the country after number-one UCLA and number-two Georgia Tech were both upset in the regionals. The Bulldogs have appearances in six of the last eight tournaments but haven’t reached Omaha since 2008. Former Tiger and ESPN analyst Todd Walker says this year’s team has something those didn’t — pitching.

Cut 18 (11) “…things done.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Changes are coming to DCFS, thanks to the just-completed legislative session.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Good news for your pocketbook as the price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped 17-cents in the last week. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the drop coincides with a drop in crude oil prices….

Cut 13 (12) “….price of gasoline”

 

Governor Landry has vetoed his first bill from the 2026 legislative session. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux received legislative approval on his proposal to raise the cap by 50-percent on compensation someone can receive from the state for being wrongfully convicted. Landry says the Legislature just raised the cap four years ago and before increasing payouts again, the state should ensure that the process is fair, accountable, and protected against abuse.

The state boys basketball championships are returning to Lafayette. They’ve been held in Lake Charles since 2014, but before that, Lafayette hosted the boys championship for 15 years. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says basketball coaches have been asking to bring the tournament back to Lafayette for years…

Cut 7 (12) “…come to fruition”

3:30 LRN Newscast

Gasoline prices continue going down – the big question is, how long will that trend continue? Currently, regular unleaded is averaging $3.81 in Louisiana – that’s down 17 cents from a week ago. Don Redman with Triple-A says one factor which could cause those prices to, as we say back in Boston, “bang a U-ey,” could be tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 14 (11) “…prices up higher.”

There will be several changes within DCFS as a result of the legislative session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow got a bill onto Governor Landry’s desk that adds a law enforcement liaison within the department.

Cut 3 (12) “…and Family Services.”

The U.S. Senate heard arguments on the Protect College Sports Act this morning. The bill preserves NIL and revenue sharing for student-athletes, but it adds regulations to snuff out illegitimate deals and cap-evading loopholes. It also provides medical insurance for athletes, but USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says the bill limits the earnings of athletes and their representation.

Cut 11 (12) “…five percent.”

The LHSAA is bringing the Boys’ Basketball State Championships back to the CAJUNDOME. Marsh Madness has been held at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles since 2014 and previously spent 15 years in Lafayette. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says she’s excited to work with the community.

Cut 6 (07) “…something new.”

LRN PM Newscall June 3

Changes are coming to DCFS, thanks to the just-completed legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The Senate is holding a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

There will be several changes within the Department of Children and Family Services as a result of the just-completed legislative session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow initially sought to abolish the agency altogether. While that quest went nowhere, she was able to get other legislation to the governor’s desk, including one that adds a law enforcement liaison within the department.

Cut 3 (12) “…and Family Services.”

Barrow had tried to get nine liaisons, one for each region in the state, but she noted the state did not have money in the budget for that.

Barrow says one of the main purposes of her bill is to strengthen communication within the department. She says currently, the stakeholders which investigate child abuse cases haven’t always worked closely together.

Cut 4 (09) “…all the time.”

Barrow says the end goal of her bill is to improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children.

Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed.”

Last year, 53 children with cases being investigated by DCFS died; and 30 have died this year so far.

__________________________________________

The LHSAA is bringing the Boys’ Basketball State Championships back to the CAJUNDOME. Marsh Madness has been held at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles since 2014 and previously spent 15 years in Lafayette. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says she’s excited to work with the community.

Cut 6 (07) “…something new.”

The CAJUNDOME will host the championships for the next two seasons before bidding reopens in 2028.  Hoyt says basketball coaches have been asking to bring the tournament back to Lafayette for years.

Cut 7 (12) “…to fruition.”

The CAJUNDOME underwent a 21-million-dollar renovation in 2016 that included improved seating, improved lighting and a new court. Hoyt says the community has history and experience hosting boys’ basketball, and the arena has been home to the state volleyball tournament since 2021.

Cut 8 (11) “…the renovation.”

_____________________________________________________________

The U.S. Senate heard arguments today on the Protect College Sports Act this morning. The bill provides a framework of antitrust exemption and athlete protections to give control back to the NCAA in the NIL era. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has begged Congress to step in but has now released a joint statement with the Big Ten against the bill.

Cut 9 (10)  “…very much”

The conference’s primary grievance against the bill is the proposed pooling of media rights. Toppmeyer says smaller schools would love to get a piece of the revenue, but it doesn’t make sense for the two richest conferences.

Cut 10 (12) “…media rights.”

The SEC and Big Ten, of course, can’t stop the bill from moving ahead, but there has been speculation it could push them to break off from the current NCAA structure.

The bill preserves NIL and revenue sharing for student-athletes, but adds regulations to snuff out illegitimate deals and cap-evading loopholes. It also provides medical insurance for athletes, but Toppmeyer says the bill limits the earnings of athletes and their representation.

Cut 11 (12) “…five percent.”

______________________________________________________

Drivers are starting to feel some relief at the gas pumps. The big question is, how long will this downward trend continue? Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gasoline prices have dropped about 17 cents over the last week.

Cut 12 (06) “…$3.81 a gallon.”

Redman says even though a deal between the U.S. and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is still pending, there’s something else that’s causing gas prices to fall – but that drop could be short-lived.

Cut 13 (12) “…price of gasoline.”

Redman says now that the calendar has flipped to June, tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico could have a profound impact on gasoline prices.

Cut 14 (11) “…prices up higher.”

 

2:30 LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow pushed for several changes to the Department of Children and Family Services in the legislative session. Barrow says one of the main purposes of her bill is to strengthen communication within the department. She says currently, the stakeholders which investigate child abuse cases haven’t always worked closely together.

Cut 4 (09) “…all the time.”

The LHSAA is bringing the Boys’ Basketball State Championships back to Lafayette. The CAJUNDOME will host the championships for the next two seasons before bidding reopens in 2028. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Karen Hoyt says basketball coaches have been asking to bring the tournament back to Lafayette for years.

Cut 7 (12) “…to fruition.”

The U.S. Senate heard arguments on the Protect College Sports Act this morning. The bill provides a framework of antitrust exemption, athlete protections and eligibility clarity to give control back to the NCAA in the NIL era. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has begged Congress to step in, but is now changing his tune in a joint statement with the Big Ten against the bill.

Cut 9 (10)  “…very much”

The conferences are against pooling media rights with other leagues as proposed in the bill.

Drivers are starting to feel some relief at the gas pumps. The big question is, how long will this downward trend continue? Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gasoline prices have dropped about 17 cents over the last week.

Cut 12 (06) “…$3.81 a gallon.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Changes are coming to DCFS, thanks to the just-completed legislative session.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Good news for your pocketbook as the price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped 17-cents in the last week. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the drop coincides with a drop in crude oil prices….

Cut 13 (12) “….price of gasoline”

 

Governor Landry has vetoed his first bill from the 2026 legislative session. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux received legislative approval on his proposal to raise the cap by 50-percent on compensation someone can receive from the state for being wrongfully convicted. Landry says the Legislature just raised the cap four years ago and before increasing payouts again, the state should ensure that the process is fair, accountable, and protected against abuse.

The SEC and Big 10 are not supporting the Protect College Sports Act as currently written. The bipartisan bill seeks to regulate NIL, transfer portals and athlete revenue-sharing. The proposal also gives conferences the option of pooling their media rights, which is something SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is not interested in doing. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio…

Cut 10 (12) “…media rights”

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Legislative Republican Delegation is happy about what lawmakers pushed through this legislative session. Chairman and Monroe Representative Michael Echols says important measures were approved to attract large aerospace companies to invest in Louisiana by offering them property and sales tax breaks…:
Cut 14 (15) “…the aerospace industry.”

Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow has been a critic of the Department of Children and Family Services and their handling of cases when informed about troubles in a home and a young child could be in danger. But Barrow says new legislation will improve communication within the stakeholders of the agency to better protect children…

Cut 5 (08) “…definitely be narrowed”

 

On Capitol hill, the Protect College Sports Act received its first hearing today. It is legislation designed to fix college sports. The bill preserves NIL and revenue sharing for student-athletes but adds regulations to snuff out illegitimate deals and cap-evading loopholes. It also provides medical insurance for athletes, but USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says the bill limits the earnings of athletes and their representation.

Cut 11 (12) “…five percent.”

Lafayette and the Cajundome is the new home of the state boys basketball championships. LHSAA Assistant executive director Karen Hoyt says the Cajundome is also host site state volleyball championships….

Cut 8 (11) “…the renovation”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Senate is holding a hearing on the Protect College Sports Act today. The bill attempts to “fix” college sports, return power to the NCAA and regulate NIL. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says the SEC and Big Ten have reversed course on legislation.

Cut 20 (19) “…like this.”

Their primary issue is the proposed pooling of media rights in college sports. Toppmeyer says the two richest leagues don’t want to share that revenue.

Brother Martin five-star, Easton Royal, canceled visits to Ole Miss and Tennessee after a visit to Baton Rouge this weekend. Royal is committed to Texas, but LSU and Florida are leading the effort to flip the number one receiver in the 2027 class.

Franklin Parish High School four-star running back Trey Martin announced his three finalists are LSU, Florida and Ole Miss.

It was a historic regional round of the NCAA tournament. Little Rock and St. John’s became the first two four-seeds to advance in one tournament, and three-seeds Troy and Cal Poly also won their regionals. Former LSU star and ESPN analyst Todd Walker says the upsets defy logic.

Cut 16 (17) “…of the game.”

The Boys’ Basketball State Championships are returning to Lafayette after 12 years in Lake Charles, the LHSAA announced yesterday. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says the community set the standard for the event when it hosted from 1997 to 2011.

Cut 19 (06) “…support it.”

The State Wrestling Championship is also moving to New Orleans, and the Powerlifting Championships are headed to West Monroe.

11:30 LRN Newscast

There will be several changes within the Department of Children and Family Services as a result of the just-completed legislative session. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow initially sought to abolish the agency altogether. While that quest went nowhere, she was able to get a bill to the governor’s desk that adds a law enforcement liaison within the department.

Cut 3 (12) “…and Family Services.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill into law yesterday, eliminating the vehicle inspection sticker program.  Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley authored the bill and credited Landry for helping pass the legislation.

Cut 6 (07) “…answer the questions.”

The inspection sticker is being replaced with a six-dollar QR code that arrives in the mail that provides law enforcement with the VIN.

The Senate is holding a hearing today on the Protect College Sports Act. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not only will drivers save money by not having to have their vehicles inspected every year, but they can also save money at the gas pumps – at least compared to recent weeks. Louisiana’s average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.80, which is down 3 cents from the prior day, and 17 cents lower than the same time last week.