Monthly Archives: August 2026

08.20.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin says he has been impressed by quarterback Sam Leavitt and the first-team defense throughout fall camp, but one of his biggest concerns is the depth of the offensive line.

Cut 19 (16) “…guys better.”

Kiffin is alluding to the temporary restraining order issued by a Baton Rouge judge that granted 16 college football players a fifth year of eligibility and allowed them to enter the transfer portal. Former Tigers edge rusher Jack Pyburn was one of the plaintiffs included. Ole Miss D-tackle Zxavien Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright are both entering the portal already.

Longtime SEC and LSU administrator Herb Vincent announced he will be retiring from his role as SEC Associate Commissioner for Communications after this season. Vincent served over two decades at LSU and was inducted to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame last year.

The Saints and Cowboys were each fined 500-thousand-dollars by the NFL following their fight-ridden joint practice on Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the league sent a memo to teams before the start of training camp emphasizing sportsmanship during joint practices. The Saints did not have any scuffles in practices with the Rams and Jaguars. Head coach Kellen Moore says they made an effort to focus on on-field work today.

Cut 20 (06) “…clean practice.”

Offensive guard Cesar Ruiz and defensive tackle John Ridgeway both left practice early with injuries. The Saints kick off their preseason game versus the rams Saturday at 3 p.m.

UL Lafayette infielder Lee Amadee announced he will be returning for a fifth season with the Cajuns. He is taking advantage of the fifth season of eligibility awarded to class of 2022 signees by a Colorado U.S. district court ruling. Amadee has been a full-time starter for the Cajuns each of the last three years and hit .300 with 7 homers, 12 doubles and 54 RBIs last season.

08.20.26
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4:30 LRN Newscast

A seven-year-old from Ruston has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in Lake Claiborne, according to KTBS-TV in Shreveport. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the amoeba can be found in fresh water and the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. He says to take steps to protect yourself when swimming.

Cut 8 (11) “…your nose.”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.

Cut 9 (13)  “…out five more.”

Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The NFL fined the Saints and Cowboys 500-thousand-dollars each for the teams’ conduct during a joint practice on Tuesday. There were reports of numerous scuffles between the teams throughout the day. New Orleans held another joint practice with the Rams today, and no fights occurred.

08.20.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

Big announcement is expected next Tuesday from Governor Jeff Landry regarding Elon Musk’s SpaceX plan to build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport on 130 acres of coastal marshland near Pecan Island in Vermillion Parish. Advocate Reporter Stephanie Riegel says though the project could mean thousands of jobs, many in Vermilion Parish are worried about how it could affect their way of life.

Cut 15 (11) “…Pecan Island community.”

More information will be released at a 11 AM press conference on Tuesday from Abbeville.

KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting a seven-year-old from Ruston has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in Lake Claiborne. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.

Cut 7 (11) “…within it.”

Doctor Bocchini says if you swim in fresh water take steps to prevent water going up your nose.

 

Caddo Parish Sheriff deputies arrest a substitute teacher after she allegedly triggered false active shooter alerts at five different schools. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lyntonia Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to report active shooter alerts. Jackson says Barfield may have been upset with school system officials…

Cut 11 (15) “…the school district’

Barfield has been booked on five counts of menacing.

A Ruston High school teacher has been charged with rape. Thirty-two-year-old Frasier Hogan was booked yesterday into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Authorities say Hogan is suspected of raping an intoxicated woman in 2025 and he also allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in 2020. Authorities believe there may be additional victims. Hogan was a reserve linebacker for Louisiana Tech in 2015 and 2016.

08.20.26
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Health officials are urging the public to take steps to avoid water going up your nose when swimming in fresh water. This warning is in response to a seven year-old child who has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba infection after swimming in Lake Claiborne. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure….

Cut 8 (11) “…your nose”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a substitute teacher for allegedly making false active shooter alerts at five schools in Caddo Parish. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja Barfield used the school district’s management system to report active-shooter alerts….

Cut 10 (07) “…those schools”

 

Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Students or teachers who had damage to their home and personal property from Tropical Storm Arthur can apply for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA says eligible individuals in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes can receive money to repair or replace computers, textbooks, school supplies and vehicles. The deadline to apply is October 1st at disaster-assistance-dot-gov.

08.20.26
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LRN PM Newscall August 20

Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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After a child was infected by a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana health officials are advising residents to protect themselves when swimming in fresh water. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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For the first time ever, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a recreational alligator hunting season, and the lottery for tags opened this morning. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the state is able to open up the harvesting of alligators to recreational hunters thanks to an act of legislature in this year’s session, because the state is being overrun with alligators.

Cut 3 (08) “…has fully recovered.”

Bosworth says there are roughly three-million alligators in the coastal zone alone – that’s about two-thirds of the state’s human population. And he says you will have plenty of chances to score a tag.

Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”

Bosworth says if you’re successful in snagging one of those ten-thousand tags, there is a series of rules you will need to abide by.

Cut 5 (11) “…with landowner consent.”

The lottery is open through August 30th, and the season runs throughout the entire month of October. There is a non-refundable 50-dollar application fee, and you may only apply on the LDWF’s licensing website.

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Louisiana public health officials are urging residents to take precautions when swimming in fresh water after a brain-eating amoeba infection in Claiborne Parish. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the infection occurs when water containing the amoeba gets up your nose.

Cut 6 (11) “…brain-eating infection.”

Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.

Cut 7 (11) “…within it.”

The amoeba is not found in saltwater or properly chlorinated pools.

Bocchini says the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. A brain infection cannot occur if the water is swallowed and is not spread person to person. He says take steps to protect yourself when swimming.

Cut 8 (11) “…your nose.”

He also advises using sterile, distilled water or boiling water for at least a minute for nasal rinses.

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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.

Cut 9 (13)  “…out five more.”

Corporal Jackson says it was easy for the school board to determine who was triggering those false active shooter alarms.

Cut 10 (07) “…to those schools.” 

Jackson says while the investigation is ongoing, it’s possible that Barfield may have been seeking retaliation against the school district.

Cut 11 (15) “…the school district.”

Barfield was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center and is facing several counts of menacing.

08.20.26
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana public health officials are urging you to take precautions when swimming in fresh water following a brain-eating amoeba infection in Claiborne Parish. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Joseph Bocchini says the infection occurs when water containing the amoeba gets up your nose.

Cut 6 (11) “…brain-eating infection.”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.

Cut 9 (13)  “…out five more.”

For the first time ever, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a recreational alligator hunting season, and the lottery for tags opened this morning. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the state is able to open up the harvesting of alligators to recreational hunters thanks to an act of legislature in this year’s session, because the state is being overrun with alligators.

Cut 3 (08) “…has fully recovered.”

Governor Landry is expected to announce next Tuesday that SpaceX will build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish. The Advocate reports a decade-long coastal damages lawsuit filed by Vermilion Parish and the state against ExxonMobil has been dismissed as part of the deal. Advocate reporter Stephanie Riegel says more details will be announced in Abbeville.

Cut 14 (08) “…puts in place.”

08.20.26
by

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry will reportedly announce next Tuesday that Elon Musk’s SpaceX will build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish. The Advocate reports the rocket launching site will be built on 130 acres of coastal marshland near Pecan Island. Advocate reporter Stephanie Riegel says the project could potentially bring thousands of jobs to Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “..in Richland Parish.”

Hunters who want to hunt alligators in October can apply for a recreational alligator license tag starting today, through August 30th. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Tyler Bosworth says if you’re successful in snagging one of the ten-thousand available tags, there are rules to follow.

Cut 5 (11) “…with landowner consent.”

 

After a child was infected by a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana health officials are advising residents to protect themselves when swimming in fresh water. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

And the Louisiana Department of Health is urging the public to avoid areas of Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish where a blue-green algae bloom can be seen. LDH officials are concerned that this algae bloom contains cyanobacteria which produces toxins that are harmful to people and animals.

08.20.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Sixteen graduated college football players have been granted a fifth season of eligibility by a Baton Rouge judge, including many who have already signed NFL contracts. The temporary restraining order also allows them to enter the transfer portal. Former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn is one of the plaintiffs in the case who could return after spending training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Former Ole Miss Stars, tight end Dae’Quan Wright, D-tackle Zxavien Harris and safety Wydett Williams could also return.

The Saints have joint practice with the Rams today ahead of their preseason matchup Saturday. At Tuesday’s practice with the Cowboys, more than 10 fights broke out between the teams. Linebacker Danny Stutsman says they hope to avoid that today, but they do help bring the team together.

Cut 20 (15) “…have everyone’s back.”

UL Lafayette football coach Michael Desormeaux says quarterback Lunch Winfield has done a better job of taking what the defense gives him and has been more accurate through fall camp. He tries to complete 70-percent of his passes every day.

Cut 17 (14) “…are four yards.”

The LDWF is holding its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season, and the tag lottery opened today and runs through August 30th. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says there are roughly three-million alligators in the coastal zone alone, and there are thousands of tags to give out.

Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”

The season runs the entire month of October. Apply for the lottery on the LDWF website with a non-refundable 50-dollar application fee.

08.20.26
by

11:30 LRN Newscast

The lottery for the first-ever recreational alligator hunting season is now open. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says you will have plenty of chances to score a tag.

Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”

The season will run throughout the entire month of October.

The first poll in the U.S. Senate general election race shows Julia Letlow with a four-point lead over Jamie Davis. One finding of the poll of 518 registered voters is that more than half had neither a favorable nor an unfavorable opinion of Davis, compared to just over one-fourth for Letlow. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says it shows Letlow’s advantage in name recognition.

Cut 11 (10) “…the Republican nomination.”

State Treasurer John Fleming says the K-12 School Transparency Project has identified questionable spending by some public and charter schools. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

From questionable spending to questionable judgement – a Caddo Parish substitute teacher is arrested for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Sheriff Henry Whitehorn says 58-year-old Lytonja Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at five schools.

08.20.26
by

10:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time ever, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is holding a recreational alligator hunting season, and the lottery for tags opened this morning. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the state is able to open up the harvesting of alligators to recreational hunters thanks to an act of legislature in this year’s session, because the state is being overrun with alligators.

Cut 3 (08) “…has fully recovered.”

Bosworth says there are roughly three-million alligators in the coastal zone alone – that’s about two-thirds of the state’s human population. 

The K-12 School Transparency Project, which launched last year, has identified questionable spending by Louisiana public and charter schools. State Treasurer John Fleming says that’s led to a complaint investigated by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

Cut 9 (13)  “…a private institution.”

Governor Landry is expected to announce next Tuesday that SpaceX will build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport in Vermilion Parish. The Advocate reports a decade-long coastal damages lawsuit filed by Vermilion Parish and the state against ExxonMobil has been dismissed as part of the deal. Advocate reporter Stephanie Riegel says more details will be announced in Abbeville.

Cut 14 (08) “…puts in place.”

The first poll of the U.S. Senate general election campaign may indicate a more competitive race than expected. The poll by Public Policy Polling shows Julia Letlow with a four-point lead over Jamie Davis. The poll of 518 registered voters shows more than 20-percent are undecided, and LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Letlow still has the advantage.

Cut 12 (09) “…towards her side.”