4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are scheduled to play the Chargers on Sunday at 6:05 pm central time, but the threat of Hurricane Hilary is causing the NFL to reconsider the game’s status. The NFL said in a statement that “We continue to monitor the weather and will update the situation if anything changes.” Coach Allen says the league and SoFi stadium will call each other to determine the best course of actions.

Pro bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore left practice early today, and Allen says what he saw and how he will be moving forward.

Cut 27 (9) “…where it’s at.”

The Saints were 23rd in the league last year in penalty yards allowed per game, and Allen says they are working on that issue specifically ahead of the upcoming year.

Cut 28 (13) “… a focus for us.”

Last week against the Chiefs the Saints had nine penalties for 81 yards.

 

Chris Olave was the Saints leading receiver last year with over a thousand receiving yards, but he says that veteran receiver Michael Thomas has been more of a vocal presence on and off the field.

Cut 25 (15) “…since I’ve been here.”

Louisiana Tech is playing Florida International as apart of Week 0, but they will be without their leading rusher from last year. Running back Marquis Crosby was announced as out for the year due to an undisclosed injury. In 2022 Crosby rushed for 918 yards on 183 carries and 9 touchdowns. Running back Charvis Thornton.

ULM opens the season against Army on Sept. 2. Last year the team averaged 325 yards per game on offense which was third to last in the Sun Belt, but Coach Terry Bowden says how the team has gotten better in the offseason to see more offensive production.

Cut 26 (10) “… us everyday.”

 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

As of right now there are no plans to reschedule the Saints preseason game against the Chargers. Hurricane Hilary has formed off the West Coast of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in southern California by Sunday night. The game is currently scheduled in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood California for Sunday Aug. 20 at 6:05 p.m. central time and according to the National Hurricane Center the storm will make landfall in the area around 9 p.m. central time. If the status of the game changes we will bring you updates at the next sportscast.

The Saints head coach Dennis Allen was previously the defensive coordinator of the team before taking his current role, so he has primarily been with the defense during the Chargers and Saints joint practices. He says what he has seen so far from the Saints defenders while going up against their new opponents.

Cut 17 (10) “…skill players.”

If the game is played on Sunday, there is still no update on how much the starters or the second and third team will play on both sides of the ball.

 

LSU football coach Brian Kelly spoke to the media on Wednesday before their two closed practices on Thursday and Friday, and he says how the defense can use linebacker Omar Speights for the team’s production.

Cut 19 (13) “…him around.”

The Tigers are returning quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier, and Kelly also says how he has seen the quarterback room get better over the course of the offseason.

Cut 20 (23) “…and control.

The Pelicans 2023 schedule has been released, and their home opener is on Oct. 28th against the New York Knicks.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The 2023 Pelicans schedule has been released, and they will open the season in Memphis on Oct. 25 and their home opener will be against the New York Knicks on Oct. 28. Some other notable games to point out are they will play in Denver against the defending champion Nuggets on Nov. 6, then LeBron James and the LA Lakers traveling to New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, and Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns playing their first game in New Orleans on Jan. 19. The Pelicans will then close out the year against the Lakers at home on April 14.

Former 5 star transfer cornerback from Texas A&M, Denver Harris has been working on getting back to the field after missing multiple LSU practices and the team picture, Coach Kelly gives an update.

Cut 16 (12) “…this weekend.”

The Tigers are scheduled to play an inter squad scrimmage on Saturday.

The Saints and Chargers held their first joint practice today in Los Angeles. The two teams are scheduled to play each other on Sunday at 6:05 pm central time. Left guard Andrus Pete and running back Kendre Miller were both seen on the practice field today, but there is no official timetable on their return. Head Coach Dennis Allen says why they do these practices in the preseason.

Cut 27 (18) “…as a football team.”

The two teams are playing drills against each other, but Allen says what his mindset is over the course of the joint practices.

Cut 26 (19) “…together.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU will continue practice today, but will not be open to the media until Saturday’s inters quad scrimmage in Tiger Stadium. Head coach Brian Kelly announced on Wednesday that the scrimmage would take place on Saturday, but no exact time frame on when the scrimmage will be has been unveiled. One of the players that is expected to be on the field is returning wide receiver Malik Nabors. Nabors was the only 1,000 yard receiver last year for the Tigers and caught an SEC leading 72 receptions. Kelly says the only thing holding him back is a lack of focus and not physical talent.

Cut 18 (19) “…special things.”

The Tigers round out the top 5 in the coach’s and the AP poll and will be taking on No. 8 Florida State in 17 days. Included in the AP top 5 as well was Alabama at No. 4 and Georgia at No.1

 

The Saints and the Chargers are participating in a joint practice in California today ahead of their preseason matchup on Sunday night. Coach Dennis Allen says how he feels about getting the time to play with Chargers.

Cut 19 (10) “…those guys.”

The game is scheduled for Sunday Aug. 20 at 6:05 pm central time, and the Saints won their previous matchup in the preseason against the Chiefs 26-24.

The New Orleans Pelicans and the rest of the National Basketball Association are getting their schedules today at 2 pm central time. This schedule will include the full season schedules for all 30 teams. They did get their in-season tournament schedule, but the tournament will only count for the first two weeks of the year out of the full season. So far, the Pelicans have announced they will play Houston on the road, Dallas and Denver at home, and the Clippers in Los Angeles. When the 2023 season schedule is announced, we will bring you an update on the biggest games at the 4:45 pm sportscast.

5:30 LRN Newscast Aug 16

Delhi Police confirm a shooting near the high school this afternoon.  Adam Holland with our affiliate KWCL he says a 9-1-1 call was received about a fight on campus and when authorities arrived faculty had already broken up the altercation. While escorting the students off campus shots were heard near the school Holland says the high school and nearby schools were put on lockdown.

Cut 29 suspect. :06

And law enforcement in multiple cities are dealing with bomb threats and potential violence at Louisiana high schools. In Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge High School and two nearby private schools were put on lockdown after a bomb threat was called in to a suicide hotline. BRPD Chief Murphy Paul says officers found no devices, but he’s aware of similar threats elsewhere in the state.:

CUT 14  (08)        “…in Denham.”

Following the first day of hearings over juvenile inmate being housed at Angola, advocates voiced their frustrations with the Office of Juvenile Justice at a press conference Tuesday. Lead counsel, David Utter with the Fair Fight Initiative says they want to know if the state is treating juveniles with deliberate indifference.

Cut 3 (12) “…into a cell.”

After multiple escapes from juvenile facilities, the decision to move some inmates to Angola was made and more than a dozen teens have been housed there for the last 10 months.

 

Winning by default is still winning. Louisiana has a new insurance commissioner-elect, after one of the two men running for that office dropped out of the race. That leaves DeRidder Republican Tim Temple elected by default. Temple will be sworn into office next January.

 

 

4:40 LRN Sportscast

Head Coach Brian Kelly spoke to the media on Wednesday and gave updates on the team and what the rest of practices will look like moving forward. Before he spoke more on the Tigers, he addressed the situation on former 5-star transfer cornerback Denver Harris.

Cut 28 (12) “…this week.

Kelly says that the team plans on having an organized scrimmage on Saturday in Tiger Stadium and he goes over what that will look like.

Cut 29 (16) “…that we’ll get.

Not much else is known about when the scrimmage will be besides the fact that it is on Saturday, but if you have any questions go TigerRag.com and listen to the latest episode of the Tiger Rag Audibles podcast.

The Saints played their first preseason game last week and had many new faces take the field for the team, but there was one more that still has not played in the black and gold. Linebacker Jaylon Smith signed with New Orleans a few days before they played the Chiefs in preseason week 1, but only planned on playing in an emergency situation. Smith says that he has switched teams quickly before, and learning the defense should not take long.

Cut 26 (12) “…it won’t take long.”

Rookie wide receiver A.T. Perry was also a new face on the field and had one of the best performances for the team in his first game. Perry caught six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown and says how he was able to settle in and still play at a high level.

Cut 27 (12) “…most importantly

The Saints will take on the Chargers in Los Angeles for preseason week 2 on Sunday, Aug. 20 at 6:05 pm CT.

4:30 LRN Newscast Aug 16

Students at Dehli High School are no longer on lockdown after reports of a shooting near campus. Adam Holland with our affiliate KWCC says Sheriff deputies received a call just before 2 o’clock of a fight on campus and on arrival, they were informed the fight was broken up by faculty. Holland says while they were removing students from the school…

Cut 28 on lockdown. :11

A sweep of the school determined the area was safe and students have been released from school, video surveillance of the area is being reviewed.

Hearings continue challenging the state on the housing of juvenile offenders at Angola continue. The Fair Fight Initiative is concerned with the youthful offenders’ well-being. FFI’s David Utter says there’s concern over their safety…:

CUT 05  (07)        “…deserves.”

The race to be Louisiana’s next Insurance Commissioner has been decided before the October primary after one of the two men running – Ascension Parish Democrat Rich Weaver – dropped out. That leaves DeRidder Republican Tim Temple as the sole candidate and winner by default. Temple will be sworn in in January.

Organizers of the 49th annual Festival Acadiens in Lafayette have announced the lineup for their big Cajun shindig from October 13th through 15th. Festival VP Patrick Mould says visitors can expect a great experience of Acadian music and culture…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…craft fair.”

Mould says this year holds double excitement with the observation of Lafayette Parish’s Bicentennial. Mould says volunteers are still being sought to assist with the event.

 

3:30 LRN Newscast Aug 16

Three Baton Rouge high schools were put on lockdown following a bomb threat. Baton Rouge High, Catholic High and St. Joseph Academy are all fairly close to one another. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says the threat came in via a suicide hotline, and no device or firearms have been found…:

CUT 12  (12)        “…New Orleans.”

Republican Tim Temple, an insurance professional from DeRidder, will be your new state Insurance Commissioner. He was elected by default, after the only other candidate in the race, Ascension Parish Democrat Rich Weaver, dropped out. Temple will be sworn in next January. Current Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is retiring and not seeking re-election.

 

The fall lineup for the 49th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles is out, and it features Sonny Landreth, Roddie Romero, and many others scheduled to headline October 13th through 15th at Girard Park in Lafayette. Festival VP Patrick Mould says it’s a celebration of music and cultural heritage…:

CUT 09(11)      “…we speak.”

This is the 49th year for the Festival, which will also observe Lafayette Parish’s bicentennial.

Love the birds? Want to help them migrate this fall? The Louisiana Wildlife Federation asks you go Light Out. They ask you turn off excessive bright outdoor lights that can confuse the billions of migratory bird, causing some to crash into stuff and die. LWF’s Charles Williams…:

CUT 08(12)      “…out of the home.”

He asks you cut the lights from 11pm ‘til 6am between now and mid-November.

LRN PM Newscall Aug 16

Hearings over the treatment of juveniles held in Angola enter its second day. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

As part of the Lights Out for fall bird migration, Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking everyone to lower or eliminate bright exterior lighting to protect birds. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (33)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx”  

______________________________________

Following the first day of hearings over teens being housed at Angola, advocates voiced their frustrations with the Office of Juvenile Justice at a press conference Tuesday. Lead counsel, David Utter with the Fair Fight Initiative says they want to know if the state is treating juveniles with deliberate indifference.

Cut 3 (12) “…into a cell.”

After multiple escapes from juvenile facilities, the decision to move some inmates to Angola was made and more than a dozen teens have been housed there for the last 10 months.

Utter says they have documentation that shows the OJJ is in violation of state law by holding inmates, ages 14 to 18, in their cells for more than 23 hours a day.

Cut 4 (07) “…cell restriction.”

The juveniles are separated from the adult prisoners and are held where death row inmates were previously held in Angola.

Utter says Louisiana houses far too many juveniles and when asked where should they be held after multiple escapes from the Bridge City facility, he says the case is not about that.

Cut 5 (07) “…deserves.”

During today’s hearing experts will testify about the dangers of extreme heat and children.

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is encouraging building owners, businesses, and residents to participate in turning off bright or excess outdoor lighting from 11 PM to 6 AM every day through November 15 to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night. LWF Board Member Charles Williams says city lights can misguide birds, diverting them off course with often dire consequences…

Cut 6 (11) “…them die.” 

During the 2022 fall migration, an estimated 478 million birds migrated through the state of Louisiana. Williams says buildings and windows kill roughly a million birds in the U-S every year.

Cut 7 (11) “…exterior lighting.” 

LWF passed a resolution earlier this year requesting that all public buildings observe ‘lights out’ as the official policy of the state. Williams says reducing lighting is one of the easiest ways everyone can take part in this initiative.

Cut 8 (12) “…the home.”

To read the full resolution, https://lawildlifefed.org/resolution/lights-out-to-save-migrating-birds/

______________________________________________

The fall lineup for the 49th annual Festivals Acadiens et Creoles is in and Sonny Landreth, Roddie Romero, and others are scheduled to headline October 13 through 15 at Girard Park in Lafayette. Festival VP Patrick Mould says it’s a celebration of music and cultural heritage…

Cut 9 (11)  “…we speak.”

The three-day music festival will include a crafts fair, chefs demonstrations, workshops, and more. Mould says it’s a great way for someone to come and experience cajun culture and music…

Cut 10 (09)  “…craft fair.”

Mould says there’s double excitement this year with the celebration of Lafayette Parish Bicentennial. He says the festival brings people from around the world together and they’re preparing for another great year.

Cut 11 (08)  “…the festival.” 

The official pin and poster will be revealed at Hilliard Art Museum’s fall opening on September 8 at 6 PM.

_____________________________________________________

A bomb threat was called in to several schools today which prompted students to be placed on lockdown. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul says a call was made through the suicide hotline that there was a bomb and a gun at Baton Rouge High School. He says other schools received similar threats.

Cut 12 (12) “…New Orleans area.”

Paul says no device nor gun was found at Baton Rouge High and students are expected to be dismissed at their normally scheduled time. Paul says several law enforcement agencies responded to the threat including bomb squads and K-9 units.

Cut 13 (09) “…appropriate.

Paul says investigators learned of similar threats at schools in other parishes.

Cut  14 (09)  “…in Denham.”

The investigation is ongoing.

2:30 LRN Newscast Aug 16

Hearings over juvenile offenders being housed at Angola Prison enter a second day. The Fair Fight Initiative is concerned the youths are being poorly cared for these past 10 months. F.F.I. lead counsel David Utter says they believe the Office of Juvenile Justice is violating state law by holding kids as young as 14 in a cell for almost all of the day…:

CUT 04  (07)        “…cell restriction.”

The effects of this extreme heat on those juveniles is another concern.

Scratch one item off your October 14th election ballot; the race for state Insurance Commissioner has been decided. Republican Tim Temple has won by default, after the only other candidate in the race – Ascension Parish Democrat Rich Weaver – withdrew from the race. Temple had reportedly questioned Weaver’s qualification to run. It’s unknown if that factored into his decision. Temple will be sworn in next January.

 

Welcome to August! The National Hurricane Center is monitoring not one, not two…but THREE tropical waves spreading across the Atlantic and into the Gulf. The one nearest us has only a tiny chance of developing into something, but two systems now closer to Africa have a 50-50 shot at becoming a serious storm system…or worse.

As part of the Lights Out for fall bird migration, Louisiana Wildlife Federation is asking everyone to lower or eliminate bright exterior lighting to protect birds. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Teiko Foxx.”