2:30 LRN Newscast

A new school year is underway, and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is optimistic the recent gains in student achievement will continue. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. A new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024, and it had the fourth most total job losses from 2024 to 2025.

State representative Danny McCormick has proposed a ban on Flock cameras in Louisiana, saying they violate citizens’ privacy. But Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says that is not true.

Cut 6 (13) “…public roadways.”

Morse says the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that there is no expectation of privacy in a public space.

The LSU women’s basketball schedule is out. The Lady Tigers tip off the season against Southeastern Louisiana on November 2nd. SEC play begins December 31st at Auburn, and The Advocate’s Reed Darcy says Kim Mulkey’s squad could go undefeated in January.

Cut 12 (12) “…postseason after that.” 

LSU ends the regular season with South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Thousands of lives were changed ten years ago today when a slow-moving weather system dumped torrential rain across south Louisiana, causing catastrophic flooding from the Lafayette area to southeast Louisiana. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry says 78-percent of homes in the city had at least 18 inches of water inside, yet only about one in four residents had flood insurance.

Cut 15 (09) “…it’s never enough.”

As for the rain chances for the rest of this week, State Climatologist Jay Grymes says today will likely be the last day we’ll see any rain for quite some time.

Cut 4 (10) “…into the weekend.”

And that’s going to give way to heat and humidity, with heat index values exceeding 110 in some areas.

There’s been growing opposition to Flock Safety cameras, but Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says they are nothing new. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tragedy in Concordia Parish as a 15-year-old boy is shot to death. Police in Vidalia say the boy and a 14-year-old were playing with a loaded gun when it discharged, striking the victim. The victim was airlifted to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. The 14-year-old was detained at the scene; no word on any charges at this time.

12:30 LRN Newscast

 

A new school year is underway, and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants to keep the momentum going in student achievement. According to the latest Education Scorecard, Louisiana public school students rank first in the nation in reading growth and second in math growth. Brumley says one reason for the improvement is teachers getting back to the basics of education…

Cut 9 (05)  “…next in life.”

Brumley says classroom discipline is a major focus this school year. He’s urging local school leaders not to tolerate disruptive behavior that interferes with other students’ ability to learn.

The state is in for another brutally hot weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the humidity is going to make it unbearable to be outside.

Cut 3 (10) “…into the weekend.”

Grymes says rain chances go down after today, reducing cloud cover or a temperature cooling thunderstorm.

 

Ten years ago today, the Great Flood of 2016 was impacting thousands of homes across south Louisiana. More than two feet of rain fell in Livingston Parish and a group of civilians known as the Cajun Navy helped rescue thousands. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry…

Cut 14 (09) “…help other people”

Landry says 78-percent of homes in Denham Springs had at least 18 inches of water.

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says even if you don’t win the billion-dollar prize, you can still win a seven-figure prize by matching all five white balls, as evidenced by a drawing earlier this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

Tonight’s drawing will happen right before 10 PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Transfer safety Ty Benefield has turned heads since coming to LSU. After three seasons at Boise State, Benefield entered the transfer portal, and he was the first defensive player to commit to the Tigers. The California native felt like LSU was the place for him…

Cut 19 (13) “…is amazing.”

Former LSU star Paul Skenes was pulled after just 65 pitches last night as his fastball velocity continues to dip. He gave up two runs, five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in five innings. The Pirates lost to the Marlins 2-0, and Skenes fell to 3-4 in his last nine starts.

Alex Bregman and Dylan Crews both homered in the Cubs’ 8-6 win over the Nationals last night. It was Bregman’s 13th of the season and Crews’ 10th.

Former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. came in at number 25 on the NFL top 100. Stingley joins 44th-ranked Joe Burrow as the only former Tigers on the list so far, but the top 20 is yet to be revealed.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said most of the starters would not play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Jaguars. New Orleans will host Jacksonville for a joint practice tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie has a kicking battle on his hands in Ruston. Redshirt freshman Kaegan Kent and redshirt junior Hunter Rioux are looking to take over after the Bulldogs finished bottom 12 in the country last year, hitting field goals at just a 60-percent clip. Kent closed out the season perfect on field goals and extra points.

Cut 16 (20) “…fall camp.”

Construction has begun at UL Lafayette’s ML “Tigue” Moore Field. The renovation project will bring the center field wall 10 feet closer to home plate. The Cajuns’ home field ranks as the third most pitcher-friendly park in the Sun Belt Conference, but the renovation should help to balance things out.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A 17-year-old girl in Tangipahoa Parish has died due to injuries from a reckless driving incident Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

St. Charles Sheriff deputies have now arrested two teenagers in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old Hahnville teenager on Monday. A 16-year-old suspect was booked for murder earlier this week and authorities have also announced that 17-year-old Jalil Washington of Hahnville is facing charges of obstruction of justice.

 

Coca-Cola Bottling Company has announced a 106-million dollar investment to modernize and expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill says Coco Cola’s continued investment sends a strong message that Cenla is a place where established companies can grow and succeed…

Cut 8 (13) “…they have”

Construction is expected to begin in February and the project is expected to create 134 new job opportunities.

Ten years ago this week was the Great Flood of 2016. Thousands of homes in south Louisiana sustained flood damage. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry says 78-percent of the homes in his town had at least 18-inches of water…

Cut 15 (09) “…it’s never enough”

At least 13 people died in the flood.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A 17-year-old is dead and an 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge as a result of a driving stunt in Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly while Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas was sitting outside the passenger window and another 20-year-old was standing in the bed of the vehicle. He says this is a tragedy with a sobering lesson.

Cut 4 (11) “…go home again.”

The Coca-Cola Bottling Company announces that it’s investing more than 100-million dollars to expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill says in the long run, it made all the sense in the world for Coca-Cola to remain in central Louisiana.

Cut 9 (08)  “…and Rapides Parish.”

One of the most destructive floods in Louisiana’s history happened ten years ago this week. Jeff Palermo has a look back at the Great Flood of 2016.

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the aftermath, billions of dollars in federal aid were sent to south Louisiana to rebuild homes and businesses, elevate houses and improve flood-control systems.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A 17-year-old is dead, and an 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge in what Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker calls a driving stunt with a pickup truck that went wrong. Sticker says Josean Martinez was driving recklessly while his 17-year-old passenger Dulce Rudas was sitting outside the passenger window…

Cut 5 (14) “…onboard that vehicle”

Martinez is facing up to ten years in prison.

Ten years ago today, the Great Flood of 2016 was impacting thousands of homes across south Louisiana. More than two feet of rain fell in Livingston Parish and a group of civilians known as the Cajun Navy helped rescue thousands. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry…

Cut 14 (09) “…help other people”

Landry says 78-percent of homes in Denham Springs had at least 18 inches of water.

 

Another huge economic development win for central Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There are social media rumors of a data center coming to Moss Bluff, which is located just north of Lake Charles. State Representative Brett Geymann told the Advocate Newspaper there’s nothing moving for the project at the Louisiana Economic Development department or the Southwest Louisiana Economic Alliance.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Ten years ago today, thousands of lives were changed when a slow-moving weather system dumped torrential rain across south Louisiana, causing catastrophic flooding from the Lafayette area to southeast Louisiana. Denham Springs Mayor Gerard Landry remembers planning a meeting for the morning of August 12th, only to have it cancelled because the water was rising.

Cut 13 (05)  “…inches of water.”

Coca-Cola has announced that it’s investing more than 100-million dollars to modernize and expand its warehouse and distribution operations in Alexandria. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Masingill…

Cut 7 (15) “…of their work.”

————

A 17-year-old girl in Tangipahoa Parish died due to injuries from a reckless driving incident two weeks ago. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says even if you don’t win the billion-dollar prize, you can still win a seven-figure prize by matching all five white balls, as evidenced by a certain drawing back in April.

Cut 12 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

One of the most destructive floods in Louisiana’s history happened ten years ago this week. Jeff Palermo has a look back at the Great Flood of 2016.

Cut 3 (40) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

In the aftermath, billions of dollars in federal aid were sent to south Louisiana to rebuild homes and businesses, elevate houses and improve flood-control systems.

————————

An 18-year-old is facing a negligent homicide charge, and a 17-year-old is dead after being thrown from a pickup truck.  Tangipahoa Parish. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says Josean (ho-ZAY-in) Martinez was driving his truck recklessly when 17 year old Dulce (DUL-chay) Rudas and a 20 year old were thrown from the vehicle and Martinez fled the scene.  Sheriff Sticker says parents need to teach their children the importance of driving safely and taking that responsibility seriously.

Cut 6 (09) “…have been made.”

The Powerball jackpot has once again hit ten figures once again.  It’s been happening more often ever since a 2015 change that added ten white balls and removed nine red balls from the drawing…reducing the odds from less than one in 175-million to less than one in 292-million. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery…

Cut 11 (06) “…of this run.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 12

Boise State transfer Ty Benefield is expected to be a difference maker in LSU’s defensive secondary. He’s six-foot-three, close to 210 pounds and registered over 100 tackles last season for the Broncos. His size allows him to disrupt passing lanes. Benefield is expected to be an early-round selection in the 2027 NFL draft after what could be a big season in Baton Rouge…

Cut 18 (19) “..things like that.”

A couple rule changes for college football. Offensive pass interference will be a ten-yard penalty instead of 15-yards. A player ejected for targeting in the second half, no longer has to sit out the first half of the next game.

 

Drew Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past weekend and now he can look forward to being inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor during halftime of the Saints game against Minnesota Vikings on October 11th.

Louisiana Tech has a rebuilt offensive line. One of the leaders of that group is redshirt senior Ashanti Cole. Coach Sonny Cumbie says Cole is the guy he wants commanding the trenches…

Cut 17 (20) “…..young man”

The LSU women’s basketball schedule is out. The Lady Tigers will play UCONN in Nashville on December 20th and Coach Kim Mulkey’s squad will visit South Carolina on February 21st.