12:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana finished last fiscal year with a 565-million-dollar budget surplus. The state constitution dictates how the surplus dollars can be spent. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says at least half of it will be used to add dollars to the rainy-day fund and the paying down of state employee retirement debt. He says the rest of the money will be used on one-time expenses…

Cut 10 (12) “…college campuses”

McFarland credits wise budgeting and higher than expected tax collections for the 565 million dollar surplus.

Much cooler temperatures this weekend as a cold front moves through the state today. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re going to a high school football game tonight, bring a jacket.

Cut 14 (08) “…all get out.”

 

Saints owner Gayle Benson said her team’s performance this season has been unacceptable, but what does that really mean for the Black and Gold? Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Speaking of playoffs, multiple reports say the college football playoff will expand from 12 to 24 teams starting next year. This would mean no more SEC Championship game, and more playoff games on campuses. But the Sugar Bowl and the other main bowls are still expected to be host sites for quarterfinal semifinal matchups.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU hosts Mississippi State tomorrow. Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor is off to a stellar start to his sophomore campaign, but he is listed as questionable with a right foot injury. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he can be a dangerous player.

Cut 17 (16) “…quarterback college friendly.”

The Saints will have their chance to answer owner Gayle Benson’s call to action on Sunday against the Giants. Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan says Benson’s rare public appearance admonishing the team’s performance was eye-opening. Her speech came before a big road trip to New York, then to Paris for the first-ever NFL game in France.

Cut 3 (14) “…so bad.”

It’s been 26 years since their last matchup but ULM and LA Tech square off for the 44th time tomorrow. The Warhawks are 0-and-5 to start the season and have now lost 13 straight. Head coach Bryant Vincent is still confident in his team, and Athletics Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe the administration is behind him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…him showing that.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

UL Lafayette hosts Troy tomorrow as the Cajuns try to rebound from a disappointing loss to Louisiana Tech. Head coach Michael Desormeax says the team is angry after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead, and they should be. But now they have to turn to a Trojans team hitting its stride.

Cut 19 (10) “…room for error.”

Kickoff at Cajun Field is set for 4 p.m.

11:30 LRN Newscast

All the numbers have been tabulated, and it turns out Louisiana finished last fiscal year with a 565-million-dollar budget surplus. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFrland says a huge percentage of that surplus is the result of higher-than-expected tax collections…

Cut 9 (09)  “…160-million.”

McFarland says the money can be used to pay down state retirement debt, on capital construction projects, roads and coastal restoration. Allocation of those dollars will be decided next spring during the legislative session.

The widely popular Savannah Bananas will play in Tiger Stadium on March 6th. They’ve played baseball in college football stadiums before and earlier this year they played in the Superdome. The Bananas will also play the Firefighters on March 4th on Alex Box Stadium.

 

After 26 years of waiting, the I-20 Rivalry returns tomorrow night.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints visit the New York Giants on Sunday. Earlier this week, Saints owner Gayle Benson let it be known that she expects better results than a 1-and-4 record. Jeff Duncan covers the Saints for NOLA.com and says the Black and Gold are one and half point favorites…

Cut 5 (09) “…as well”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The first real cold front of Fall moves through the state today. Temperatures will be much cooler this weekend, but LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of wildfires increases because of dry and breezy conditions.

Cut 13 (11)  “…is pretty high.” 

Nearly all of north and central Louisiana is under an outdoor burn ban. There’s also a red flag warning in effect for those areas, which means any fires that develop could spread rapidly.

The weather will be perfect for the 89th annual International Rice Festival, which is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk invites you to bring the entire family.

Cut 10 (09) “…bigger every year.”

Plus, there will be a children’s parade at 1:30 this afternoon, and the grand parade is tomorrow afternoon at three.

The Saints will have their chance to answer owner Gayle Benson’s call to action Sunday against the Giants. Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan says Benson’s rare public appearance admonishing the team’s performance was eye-opening. Her speech came before a big road trip to New York, then to Paris for the first-ever NFL game in France.

Cut 3 (14) “…so bad.”

ULM hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow in the first installment of the I-20 Showdown in 26 years. The Warhawks are 0-and-5 and have lost 13 straight dating back to last season. Head coach Bryant Vincent is still confident in his team, and ULM Athletic Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV the administration is behind him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…him showing that.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Xavier University’s Ochsner College of Medicine In New Orleans earned preliminary accreditation. It has been a ten-year mission to for the university, and the school will welcome its first class next summer. Dr. Leonardo Seoane (say-oh-AH-nee), the president and founding dean of the college, says while the initial class will be 50 students, he expects future classes to grow in size.

Cut 6 (09) “…100 per class.”

It will be great weekend for the 89th annual International Rice Festival in Crowley. Festivities are already underway, and Festival Coordinator Shanna Monk says the live music will be rocking the festival stages until midnight tonight and tomorrow night.

Cut 11 (13) “…on Saturday night.”

There is also a children’s parade this afternoon and a grand parade tomorrow and carnival rides open from 10 to 10 today and tomorrow and noon to six on Sunday.

ULM welcomes Louisiana Tech for the I-20 Showdown tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Warhawks Athletic Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe that the students have been great supporters so far this season, and the Warhawks are working to make Saturday’s game day extra special.

Cut 8 (11) “…a fun day.”

Number-22 LSU takes on 16th-ranked Mississippi State at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby was the Ole Miss offensive coordinator for two seasons under Lane Kiffin, and Kiffin says his offense can be lethal.

Cut 16 (16) “…pick you apart.”

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is questionable to play.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

After 26 years of waiting, the I-20 Rivalry returns tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

It’s Fall and the first real cold front of the season moves through the state today.  LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state will see morning lows in the 40s, with Sunday being the coldest morning.

Cut 15 (10) “…across northern parishes.”

————————

The nation’s newest historically Black medical school has earned it’s preliminary accreditation moving one step closer to full accreditation.   Dr. Leonardo Seoane (say-oh-AH-nee), the president and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, says it’s the culmination of a ten-year quest, and the school is gearing up to welcome its first class of fifty students in the summer of 2027.

Cut 5 (12) “…start next summer.”

The 89th annual International Rice Festival is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk says there are two full stages of live music rocking till midnight tonight and tomorrow, the grand parade tomorrow afternoon at three, and  lots of good food and competition.

Cut 12 (09) “…a rice dish.”

 

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

If you’ve been waiting on fall-like weather, you are in luck — it arrives today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Despite some political back and forth, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday announced his administration will honor its commitment to fund infrastructure projects for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board.  The governor saying quote, “We will stand by the people of New Orleans while continuing to demand accountability from their leaders.”

——————–

The newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which is the accrediting body for U.S. programs granting medical doctorate degrees, gave its preliminary accreditation to Xavier University’s Ochsner College of Medicine in New Orleans. University President Dr. Reynold Verret says the school is the only HBCU college of medicine in the Gulf South and the first HBCU medical school to be on the path to full accreditation in a very long time.

Cut 4 (05) “…60s and 70s.”

The 89th annual International Rice Festival is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk says the weather will be perfect, so bring the entire family.

Cut 10 (09) “…bigger every year.”

Monk says the live music will be rocking the two stages until midnight tonight and tomorrow night.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Number-22 LSU takes on 16th-ranked Mississippi State at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Coach Lane Kiffin will face another former coordinator in Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby. Lebby was the Ole Miss offensive coordinator for two seasons, and Kiffin says his offense can be lethal.

Cut 16 (16) “…pick you apart.”

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is still listed as questionable on the latest SEC availability report. Taylor has turf toe. Bulldogs starting running back Fluff Bothwell is also questionable with an ankle injury.

It looks like the College Football playoff will expand to 24 teams starting next year. No more conference championship games. The 24-team field would have 19 at-large bids and five automatic qualifiers.

 

After losing three straight at home, the Saints kick off a long road trip against the Giants on Sunday. Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston has led New York to two wins and a tie since taking over for an injured Jaxson Dart. Saints D-end Carl Granderson says the Black and Gold will need to capitalize on any mistakes.

Cut 18 (14)  “…a mistake sometimes.”

Kick off is at noon.

Tomorrow night, ULM hosts Louisiana Tech for the first football game in 26 years between the I-20 rivals. Warhawks athletics director S-J Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe says his staff has been working hard to improve the fan experience…

Cut 8 (11) “…a fund day”

Kick-off is at 7 PM.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

The country’s newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State police made an arrest this week in a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 13 year old girl a little more than a month ago.  It happened September 12th On I-10 West near the Butte la Rose exit in St. Martin Parish.  Troopers say 22 year old Ezekiel Clawson is facing multiple charges in the case including Vehicular Homicide and DWI with Child Endangerment.

——————————

ULM hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow in the first installment of the I-20 Showdown in 26 years. The Sun Belt rivals are separated by just 35 miles, and Warhawks Athletic Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe that he expects a big crowd.

Cut 7 (08) “…numbers end up.”

Kickoff in FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

The first real cold front of Fall will move through Louisiana today. Temperatures will be much cooler this weekend with wind gusts of up to more than 30 miles per hour and humidity levels below 40-percent.  LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says if you’re going to a high school football game tonight, bring a jacket.

Cut 14 (08) “…all get out.”

 

LRN AM Newscall October 16

The country’s newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

After 26 years of waiting, the I-20 Rivalry returns tomorrow. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

If you’ve been waiting on fall-like weather, you are in luck — it arrives today. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________

The newest historically Black medical school earns preliminary accreditation. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which is the accrediting body for U.S. programs granting medical doctorate degrees, gave its preliminary accreditation to Xavier University’s Ochsner College of Medicine in New Orleans. University President Dr. Reynold Verret says the school is the only HBCU college of medicine in the Gulf South and the first HBCU medical school to be on the path to full accreditation in a very long time.

Cut 4 (05) “…60s and 70s.”

Dr. Leonardo Seoane (say-oh-AH-nee), the president and founding dean of the Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, says it’s the culmination of a ten-year quest, and the school is gearing up to welcome its first class in the summer of 2027.

Cut 5 (12) “…start next summer.”

Dr. Seoane says while the initial class will be 50 students, he expects future classes to grow in size.

Cut 6 (09) “…100 per class.”

__________________________________________

ULM hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow in the first installment of the I-20 Showdown in 26 years. The Sun Belt rivals are separated by just 35 miles, and Warhawks Athletic Director S.J. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe that he expects a big crowd.

Cut 7 (08) “…numbers end up.”

It is just the third home game of the season for ULM. Touhy told KNOE-TV in Monroe that the students have been great supporters so far this season, and the Warhawks are working to make Saturday’s game day extra special.

Cut 8 (11) “…a fun day.”

The Warhawks are 0-and-5 to start the season and have now lost 13 straight. Head coach Bryant Vincent is still confident in his team, and Touhy told KNOE-TV the administration is behind him.

Cut 9 (11)  “…him showing that.”

Kickoff in FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

__________________________________________________

The 89th annual International Rice Festival is underway in Crowley. Festival Coordinator Shanna (SHAA-nah) Monk says the weather will be perfect, so bring the entire family.

Cut 10 (09) “…bigger every year.”

Plus, there will be a children’s parade at 1:30 this afternoon, and the grand parade is tomorrow afternoon at three.

Monk says the live music will be rocking the two stages until midnight tonight and tomorrow night.

Cut 11 (13) “…on Saturday night.”

Of course, no festival centered on a food item would be complete without a cooking contest, and Monk says the Rice Festival is no different.

Cut 12 (09) “…a rice dish.”

There’s also a carnival midway, with rides that are open from ten a-m to ten p-m today and tomorrow, and from noon to six p-m Sunday. Admission to the Rice Festival is free, and you can ride all the rides you want for 30 dollars today and tomorrow, and 25 dollars on Sunday.

__________________________________________________

The first real cold front of Fall moves through the state on Friday. Temperatures will be much cooler this weekend, but LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of wildfires increases because of dry and breezy conditions.

Cut 13 (11)  “…is pretty high.”

Nearly all of north and central Louisiana is under an outdoor burn ban. And there’s a red flag warning out for central and north Louisiana, which means any fires that develop could spread rapidly.

The National Weather Service says this cold front could bring gusts of more than 30 miles per hour and humidity levels will fall below 40-percent.

Keim says if you’re going to a high school football game tonight, bring a jacket.

Cut 14 (08) “…all get out.”

Keim says much of the state will see morning lows in the 40s, with Sunday being the coldest morning.

Cut 15 (10) “…across northern parishes.”

__________________________________________________

Number-22 LSU takes on 16th-ranked Mississippi State at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Coach Lane Kiffin will face another former coordinator in Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby. Lebby was the Ole Miss offensive coordinator for two seasons, and Kiffin says his offense can be lethal.

Cut 16 (16) “…pick you apart.”

That offense is commanded by quarterback Kamario Taylor. Taylor is off to a stellar start to his sophomore campaign, but he is listed as questionable with a right foot injury. Kiffin says he can be a dangerous player.

Cut 17 (16) “…quarterback college friendly.”

__________________________________________________

After losing three straight at home, the Saints kick off a long road trip against the Giants on Sunday. Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston has led New York to two wins and a tie since taking over for an injured Jaxson Dart. Saints D-end Carl Granderson says the Black and Gold will need to capitalize on any mistakes.

Cut 18 (14)  “…a mistake sometimes.”

__________________________________________________

UL Lafayette hosts Troy tomorrow as the Cajuns try to rebound from a disappointing loss to Louisiana Tech. Head coach Michael Desormeax says the team is angry after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead, and they should be. But now they have to turn to a Trojans team hitting their stride.

Cut 19 (10) “…room for error.”

Troy has extended rest coming off a Tuesday night win over Southern Miss last week. The Trojans are scoring 28 points a game and rank fourth in the Sun Belt in yards per game. Desormeaux says they still haven’t abandoned their run-heavy philosophy.

Cut 20 (16) “…down the field.”

Troy leads the conference in rushing yards per game.