LRN AM Newscall June 4

Louisiana voters keep rejecting constitutional amendments, but lawmakers keep putting them on the ballot. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Houma Representative Jessica Domangue helped pass legislation supporting local shrimpers against the threat of foreign seafood in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A new poll paints a very clear picture of where things stand in the race for the Republican nomination the U.S. Senate race. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Since March of 2025, Louisiana voters have rejected nine constitutional amendment proposals that appeared on two different ballots and nine more will be on the ballot in November. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says state lawmakers are not fazed by the voters’ recent lack of support for the amendments.

Cut 4 (11) “…new constitutional amendments.”

Louisiana’s constitution was approved in 1974; and since then, voters have been asked to amend the constitution 330 times. Voters have approved 221 changes. There was a grassroots effort to vote down all five constitutional amendments on the May 16th ballot. Deslatte says voters are suffering from constitutional amendment fatigue.

Cut 5 (07) “…were horribly mistaken.”

The most high-profile constitutional amendment on the November 3rd ballot is the proposal to limit governors to two elected terms as governor during their lifetimes. Deslatte says the other amendments run the gamut.

Cut 6 (10) “…over the place.”

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The legislature continued its crackdown on imported seafood in this session, passing several bills aimed at protecting Louisiana shrimpers. Houma Representative Jessica Domangue carried a bill by Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, giving the agency the authority to seize and destroy seafood at ports that fail to meet the state’s testing requirements.

Cut 7 (07) “…to do that.”

In all, Domangue authored six seafood bills which gained Landry’s signature. In addition, a bill by Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner to crack down on mixing imported shrimp with domestic shrimp was signed into law last month. Domangue says these news laws go far beyond protecting local shrimpers.

Cut 8 (07) “…piece of legislation.”

All these bills come as genetic testing continues to uncover the presence of imported shrimp at restaurants, including restaurants which claim that their shrimp originates from Louisiana waters. Domangue says that doesn’t necessarily mean those restaurants are intentionally being deceitful.

Cut 9 (08)  “…it’s Louisiana seafood.”

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A new poll shows Julia Letlow with a very clear path to the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. The poll by Kaplan Strategies shows Letlow with a 15-point lead over John Fleming, 52 to 37-percent, with ten-percent undecided. Pollster Doug Kaplan says Letlow has consolidated support among all factions of the Republican coalition.

Cut 10 (05) “…more moderate Republicans.”

Kaplan says two questions in particular separated Letlow from Fleming.

Cut 11 (08) “…and hurt Fleming.”

Kaplan says with this margin closely mirroring Letlow’s margin over Fleming in last month’s primary, Fleming has a very tall task ahead of him if he expects to close the gap between now and June 27th.

Cut 12 (05) “…a runoff election.”

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Saints star running back Alvin Kamara made a surprise return to the facility for voluntary OTAs yesterday. Kamara typically opts to prep for the season away from New Orleans, but he arrived amidst questions about his future with the team. He says he came back this year because teammates kept reaching out to him.

Cut 13 (10)  “…I’m good.”

New Orleans made a splash in free agency, signing veteran running back Travis Etienne to revamp a run game that struggled to find its footing last season. Head coach Kellen Moore and GM Mickey Loomis have repeatedly said they are still evaluating the roster, and Kamara says he’s not a part of those decisions.

Cut 14 (12) “…to be here.”

The Saints are second in the NFL, spending over 21-million-dollars on the running back room after finishing bottom five in the league in both rushing yards and touchdowns last season. Kamara says he shared carries with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray and thinks a two-back system can be beneficial.

Cut 15 (11) “…I know.”

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LSU made headway with some of the nation’s top recruits over the weekend. Brother Martin five-star Easton Royal is the number one receiver prospect in the country. He’s committed to Texas, but Andre Champagne of 247Sports told Tiger Rag Radio LSU is all in on flipping him, and it won’t just come down to money.

Cut 16 (18) “…in his heart.”

Top national prospect Jalen Brewster is a dominant edge rusher out of Cedar Hill, Texas. He’s been committed to Texas Tech since October, but Champagne says his visit to campus is a sign it might not be a done deal.

Cut 17 (17)  “…away this weekend.”

LSU also hosted five-star athlete Xavier Sabb, four-star edge Abraham Sesay, and three-stars Adryan Cole and Markez Davis. While Lane Kiffin’s staff certainly has the money to compete for the nation’s top recruits, Champagne says it’s the culture at LSU and the connection with the staff recruits have raved about.

Cut 18 (15) “…him this weekend.”

 

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.”

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

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.