4:30 LRN Newscast

One escapee from last week’s South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry has appointed Doctor Evelyn Griffin as the State’s next Surgeon General. Doctor Griffin will replace Doctor Ralph Abraham, who is leaving to take a high-ranking job with the C-D-C. In a news release. Landry lauded Griffin’s work on reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. She is known as a vaccine skeptic.

 

This year’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl matchup will have Louisiana Tech hosting Coastal Carolina. The two teams will face off December 30th in Shreveport. Because of its placement among the bowl game structure, the Indy Bowl usually get teams that either have a .500 record or barely a winning record. Executive Director Missy Setters has seen the complaints on social media, but she would rather focus on the positive…

Cut 15 (13) “…all the time.”

Haynesville High School, located in Claiborne Parish, is headed to the state football championships for a third consecutive year. The Golden Tornado will play Mangham to kick off the Prep Classic on Thursday. Haynesville is led by four-year starter Isaiah Washington, who has signed to play at LSU. Washington starts at quarterback and defensive back, and Coach David Franklin says he’s their leader…

Cut 9 (05)  “…great personality.”

LRN PM Newscall

Haynesville High School is looking for its 18th state championship in football, while North DeSoto is looking for its first. Jeff Palermo has more on these two northwest Louisiana schools as they prepare for the Prep Classic…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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One escapee from last week’s South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues in the greater New Orleans area, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these enhanced immigration sweeps – what the Border Patrol agents can and can’t do under the law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in order for agents to detain anyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Cut 3 (11) “…the federal government.”

As such, Ciolino says if there are no reasonable grounds, you’re under no obligation to talk to any federal agent. However, if there is reasonable suspicion, that’s a different story. 

Cut 4 (14) “…their basic questions.”

Otherwise, the agent can hold you and gather further evidence; and if that indicates that you’re in the country illegally, you can be detained for a long period of time.

Last week, New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell stated that Louisiana is an open carry state and has a robust stand-your-ground law; and if a masked federal agent tries detaining a U.S. citizen who’s legally carrying a weapon, that citizen can defend him or herself. Ciolino points out, as Morrell did, that the officer’s only line of defense in a stand-your-ground shooting is by fully identifying oneself as a law enforcement officer.

Cut 5 (11) “…along those lines.”

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Two public schools in northwest Louisiana are preparing for a trip to New Orleans to play in the Prep Classic. North DeSoto, who is seeking its first state championship in football and will play Iowa on Friday at noon. Griffins coach Dennis Dunn believes his team will be well prepared…

Cut 6 (06) “…for them.”

North DeSoto is the top seed in Division Two non-select, and the Griffins are a perfect 13-0. Dunn says a selfless attitude has helped his team get to this point…

Cut 7 (07) “…all of that.”

Haynesville is looking for its 18th state championship in football when they face Mangham in the Division Four non-select state title game on Thursday at noon. This is the third year in a row Coach David Franklin and the Golden Tornado have made it to the state title game, but the last two years they cam up short…

Cut 8 (07) “…go and win.”

Haynesville is led by four-year starter Isaiah Washington, who has signed to play college football at LSU. Washington starts at quarterback and is a defensive back and Franklin says he’s their leader…

Cut 9 (05)  “…great personality.”

Haynesville’s last state championship was in 2014 when they beat Mangham.

___________________________________________________

One escapee from a pair of South Louisiana jailbreaks remains on the loose. 24-year-old Keith Eli escaped from the St. Landry Parish Jail last Wednesday, along with two others. Major Mark LeBlanc with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office says investigators are going to great lengths to find him.

Cut 10 (14) “…of our agency.”

On Friday, deputies captured 24-year-old Johnathan Joseph. Major LeBlanc says tips and information led detectives to a home in Opelousas.

Cut 11 (09) “…surrendered to officers.”

The day before, the third escapee, 26-year-old Joseph Arrington, shot himself to death during a standoff with Port Barre Police. LeBlanc says while the St. Landry Parish government is working to fortify the jail to prevent another escape, the sheriff’s office is beefing up staffing there.

Cut 12 (11) “…of the facility.”

Meanwhile, the inmate who escaped from the Vermilion Parish Jail, 23-year-old Gavin Garnica, was captured Friday in Rayne following a high-speed chase.

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Louisiana Tech is heading back to Shreveport as the Bulldogs will play Coastal Carolina in the 49th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Missy Setters is the executive director of the Independence Bowl on what the game means for northwest Louisiana…

Cut 13 (13)  “…during December.”

Tech played in the Independence Bowl last year and lost to Army. It’s the seventh time the Bulldogs have played in the Indy Bowl. It’s the first  time for Coastal Carolina.

The game will kick-off at 1 PM on December 30th and Setters says there are several fan and community events the night before…

Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane alley.”

The Independence Bowl has been around for 50 years, but because of its placement among the bowl game structure, they usually get teams that either have a .500 record or barely have a winning record. Setters says she sees the complaints on social media, but she would rather focus on the positive…

Cut 15 (13) “…all the time.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

One of the three inmates who escaped from the Saint Landry Parish jail remains on the run. Authorities are working to track down 24-year-old Keith Eli. The three inmates were able to escape through a crumbling wall. Major Mark Leblanc with the sheriff’s office says they are beefing up staff…

Cut 12 (11) “….of the facility”

It is week two of Operation Catahoula Crunch, an immigration crackdown in New Orleans. Last week, New Orleans City Councilman J.P. Morrell stated that Louisiana is an open carry state and has a robust stand-your-ground law; and if a masked federal agent tries detaining a U.S. citizen who’s legally carrying a weapon, that citizen can defend him or herself. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino points out, as Morrell did, that the officer’s only line of defense in a stand-your-ground shooting is by fully identifying oneself as a law enforcement officer.

Cut 5 (11) “…along those lines.”

 

Two public schools in northwest Louisiana are preparing for a trip to New Orleans to play in the Prep Classic. North DeSoto, who is seeking its first state championship in football and will play Iowa on Friday at noon. Griffins coach Dennis Dunn believes his team will be well prepared…

Cut 6 (06) “…for them.”

Haynesville is also headed back to the Dome as the Golden Tornado will play Mangham on Thursday at noon.

The Saints went on the road and beat the top team in the NFC South yesterday for their third win of the season. New Orleans upset Tampa Bay 24-20. Rookie Quarterback Tyler Shough only threw for 144 yards in the rain, but he had two rushing touchdowns, including a 13-yard run to give the Saints the lead for good in the fourth quarter…

Cut 17 (08) “…get those wins”

The Saints are back at home this Sunday to take on Carolina.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints went on the road and beat the top team in the NFC South yesterday for their third win of the season. New Orleans upset Tampa Bay 24-20. Rookie Quarterback Tyler Shough only threw for 144 yards in the rain, but he had two rushing touchdowns, including a 13-yard run to give the Saints the lead for good in the fourth quarter…

Cut 17 (08) “…get those wins”

Running back Devin Neal got the game ball from Coach Kellen Moore as he rushed for 70 yards including a three-yard TD run to give New Orleans an early lead.

Tulane University is reportedly promoting passing game coordinator Will Hall to head coach. Hall did not have a good run at Southern Miss as he was 14 and 30 as the Golden Eagles head coach from 2021 to 2014.

Jon Sumrall will coach the team when the Green Wave face Ole Miss for a second time this season in a College Football Playoff matchup on December 20th.

 

The Prep Football Classic begins Thursday in the Caesars Superdome, and the marquee matchup that day will be the Division 3 select state title game between Dunham and Calvary Baptist. The Tigers are led by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in the Class of 2027, Elijah Haven. Dunham Coach Neil Weiner says his three-year starter at quarterback has played at a high level since he walked on campus…

Cut 18 (19)  “…everything he does.”

Haven has been named the Gatorade Louisiana player of the year.

The 5th ranked LSU women’s basketball team scored a season-high 126 points in a 126 to 62 blowout victory over winless UNO.

The LSU men’s basketball team suffered its first loss, an 82-58 defeat to Texas Tech yesterday.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A Louisiana college football team has a chance later this month to shock the world. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A disappointing LSU season will end in Houston as the Tigers will play the University of Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27th. Louisiana Tech will play in the Independence Bowl on December 30th against future Sun Belt rival Coastal Carolina. The Ragin Cajuns are in the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile and will face Delaware on December 17th.

 

As Operation Catahoula Crunch continues in the greater New Orleans area, people may be wondering what exactly the law says about these enhanced immigration sweeps – what the Border Patrol agents can and can’t do under the law. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says in order for agents to detain anyone, they need a good reason to do so.

Cut 3 (11) “…the federal government.”

As such, Ciolino says if there are no reasonable grounds, you’re under no obligation to talk to any federal agent.

Physical Therapy education is coming to Lafayette this spring. LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is adding a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette. Department Chairman Dr. Daniel Flowers on why this is so important.

Cut 8 (12) “…so to speak.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Operation Catahoula Crunch has New Orleans on edge. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Health Professionals and Sciences is launching a Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Lafayette. Department Chair, Dr. Daniel Flowers says interviews are happening soon.

Cut 9 (10)  “…three Mays later.”

After winning the American Conference, the Tulane Green Wave go word they will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the sixth-seeded Ole Miss Rebels in the first round of the college football playoffs. This is not the first time they’ll play at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium this season – on September 20th, Ole Miss pounded Tulane, 45-10. Head Coach Jon Sumrall says things will be different four months later.

Cut 5 (06) “…a better game.”

The game will be played Saturday, December 20th; kickoff is at 2:30.

The biggest rodeo ever is coming to Louisiana as the Hondo Rodeo Fest will make its New Orleans debut at the Caesars Superdome April 10 to 12, 2026.  Co-Founder Blake Cody says the Hondo Rodeo Fest is a three-day premium rodeo competition with a one-million-dollar prize purse.

Cut 13 (07)  “…for the fans.”

The rodeo takes place during the day and at night big-name musical performers take the stage.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane is in the College Football Playoffs and they will face a familiar opponent in the opening round when the Green Wave visits the Lane Kiffin-less Ole Miss Rebels on December 20th in Oxford.

The two teams met at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 20th, and the Rebels ran Tulane out of the stadium, winning 45-10. Green Wave Coach Jon Sumrall says things will be different four months later…

Cut 5 (06) “…a better game”

The winner of this game will play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st.

LSU football is headed back to the Texas Bowl, where they’ll play the 21st ranked Houston Cougars. Houston is 9-3 and 6-3 in the Big 12. The Tigers beat Baylor in the Texas Bowl last year.

Louisiana Tech is in the Independence Bowl and will play future Sun Belt opponent Coastal Carolina on December 30th in Shreveport.

The Ragin Cajuns will play Delaware in Mobile on December 17th.

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The Saints avenged a bad loss to the Buccaneers six weeks ago, flipping the script and beating them in Tampa, 24-20, yesterday. Head Coach Kellen Moore says despite being eliminated from playoff contention a week ago, the team put forth a great effort to earn its third win of the season.

Cut 16 (17) “…with the win.”

Saints rookie Q-B Tyler Shough completed 13 of 20 passes for only 144 yards and had one of his passes picked off. However, he also rushed for 55 yards and scored two of the Saints’ three TDs; the other was scored by Devin Neal.

LSU men’s basketball suffered its first loss, losing to 19th-ranked Texas Tech 82-58. The fifth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers dribbled past the UNO Privateers 126 to 62. LSU is 10-and-0.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is the semifinals of the high school football playoffs and there are several big games in the Monroe area. Top-seeded Ruston, who is looking to get to the Superdome for the fourth consecutive season will host Zachary in a rematch of the 2023 Division one non-select state title game.

The other semifinal game in that bracket is Neville versus Ouachita Parish. The Tigers beat the Lions by one point in week eight of the season. Sterlington hosts St James in a rematch of last year’s Division three non-select state title game won by the Panthers.

At Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Tulane hosts North Texas in the American Athletic Conference Championship game. The winner will get a spot in the 12-team college football playoff. Green Wave Coach Jon Sumrall is looking for a big game from his 22-year-old quarterback Jake Retzlaff…

Cut 17 (09) “…big deal”

Kick off is at 7 PM.

LSU has announced football season ticket costs will remain the same for 2026. The LSU Board of Supervisors approved a price increase for season tickets, but after the bad loss to Texas A&M, Governor Jeff Landry said the board should rethink that vote and they did.

Four months after being blind-sided by the resignation of its athletic director, ULM has its new man. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

St. Thomas More High School Quarterback Cole Bergeron has signed with Georgia Tech.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A 13-year-old is facing a second-degree murder charge after allegedly fatally shooting a 21-year-old family member in Leesville. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says the shooting happened overnight (Friday morning) in the midst of a verbal argument…

Cut 09 (11) “..21-year-old”

The victim has been identified as Kavin Simmons Junior. The juvenile was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

A reward of 35-hundred dollars is being offered for anyone  that provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a black bear in Concordia Parish last weekend.

Cut 13 (08) “…offering a thousand”

That’s LDWF Sergeant Cole Cupip who says the fatally shot black bear was found in the Richard V Yancy Wildlife Management Area.

 

Louisiana’s largest ever marsh creation project is completed. Don Molino reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Don Molino.”

The nation’s number one high school prospect in the Class of 2026 has signed with LSU. Lamar Brown from University High School in Baton Rouge turned in his paperwork on the final day of the early signing period. Brown is expected to play on the defensive line. Yesterday LSU officially signed the nation’s highest rated defensive tackle, Richard Anderson, from Edna Karr High School.

1:30 LRN Newscast

This week the ribbon was cut on the state’s largest marsh creation project. It’s taken three years to re-create 27-hundred acres of marsh near Shell Beach in Lake Borne….

Cut 4 (06) “…three times over”

That’s executive director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Michael Hare, who says this project can help limit storm surge into he greater New Orleans area and it should bring more ducks to the area.

Netflix has announced a deal to buy Warner Brothers and HBO. Host of the Tech Gumbo podcast, Haggai Davis, says this 72-billion dollar acquisition will likely result in a price hike for Netflix subscribers…

Cut 8 (10) “…dollars a month”

The deal still needs regulatory approval, and the Trump administration reportedly looks at this acquisition with heavy skepticism.

 

A 13-year-old accused of killing a 21-year-old family member during a verbal dispute in Leesville is in a juvenile detention facility in Alexandria. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says it will be up to district attorney Terry Lambright to determine if the 13-year-old will be charged as an adult…

Cut 11 (09) “…of the subject”

The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Kavin Simmons.

A reward of 35-hundred dollars is being offered for anyone  that provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a black bear in Concordia Parish last weekend.

Cut 13 (08) “…offering a thousand”

That’s LDWF Sergeant Cole Cupip who says the fatally shot black bear was found in the Richard V Yancy Wildlife Management Area.