08:30 LRN Newscast, October 18th

Investigators with the New Orleans Police Department believe an overnight house fire that claimed the lives of 3 children was started by the father. They say the mom wasn’t home at the time when she called 911 to report the father intended to burn the house down. Firefighters arrived to the home engulfed in flames where they located a 5-year-old, 8-year-old and 3-year-old who died. Surveillance video shows a man walking out of the house as the flames erupted in the back of the home. This is a developing story.

In our coverage of the November 18th runoff, we look at the state treasurer’s race between Republican John Fleming and Democrat Dustin Granger. Fleming says the office is responsible for more than just protecting the state’s revenues…:
Cut 14 (10) “that team”
Granger says if he wins, he wants to improve the unclaimed property program and work to fix the state’s insurance crisis.

The LSU women’s basketball team starts off a new season like they finished the last one, ranked number one. Jeff Palermo has the story:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

WWL-TV is reporting the FBI and the ATF assisted NOPD in apprehending two suspects linked to the carjacking of New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams and his mother. The report indicates the feds are holding the arrestees. Williams and his mom were not injured in the incident.

07:30 LRN Newscast, October 18th

A tragic story to start. The New Orleans Police Department says they are investigating an early morning house fire that claimed the lives of 2 toddlers and an 8-year-old child, in a blaze they believe may have been started by the father. They say the mother, who was not at home at the time, called 911 late last night saying that the child’s father intended to burn the home down. The case has been ruled a homicide. The name of the suspect has not been released.

On a 2021 mandate from Congress to remove Confederate names from US military installations, the Louisiana National Guard will officially rename Camp Beauregard in a ceremony this morning to the Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville. Post Commander Colonel Dirk Erickson says their mission will remain the same…:
Cut 9 (09) “at all”
The name change was announced in April after months of deliberations and public meetings.

In our continuing coverage of Saturday’s election results, Teiko Foxx takes a look at the state treasurer’s runoff between between Republican John Fleming and Democrat Dustin Granger…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

The LSU Women’s Basketball Team is ranked first in the AP preseason Top 25 poll for the first time in program history. Voice of the Lady Tigers, Patrick Wright, says the team’s focus will remain winning another title…:
CUT 16 (10) “they may”

06:45 LRN Sportscast, October 18th

The LSU women’s basketball team starts off a new season like they finished the last one, ranked number one. Jeff Palermo has the story:
Cut 3 (34) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The LSU men’s basketball team on the other hand was picked to finished next to last in the SEC. Coach Matt McMahomn and some of this Tigers will take part in the annual SEC Tipoff Media Day today in Birmingham.

Former LSU star pitcher Aaron Nola recorded 7 strikeouts in six innings for the Phillies in their 10-0 win over Arizona last night in in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. Nola also scattered 3 hits and struck out 7. Philadelphia is now 2-0 in the best of 7 NLCS.

The LSU football team has one of the best offenses in the country and Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly believes offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock deserves a lot of the credit…:
CUT 18 (22) “out of the park”
LSU will face Army in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night at 6:30.

06:30 LRN Newscast, October 18th

The state’s largest National Guard installation will officially get a new name during a ceremony at 10am this morning. Camp Beauregard, which was named after a Confederate general from Louisiana, will now be the Louisiana National Guard Training Center Pineville. Post Commander Colonel Dirk Erickson on the change…:
Cut 8 (12) “Center Pineville”
The move was mandated by Congress in 2021 as part of an act to remove Confederate names from US military installations.

Toilet papering homes might be a homecoming prank some people laugh off, but a 71-year-old man in Jefferson Davis Parish was not amused when he caught a group of kids rolling his house — so he fired a gun to scare them off. But Roger Dale Broderick of Welsh was arrested for that on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Two term-limited state representatives were elected to open seats on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education which helps set rules for public early and K-12 education. Paul Hollis, who won the BESE District 1 seat that includes St. Tammany Parish and portions of Orleans and Jefferson, says attracting quality teachers is a must…:
CUT 4 (03) “more pay”
Lance Harris will represent District 5 which serves areas from Evangeline Parish into northeast Louisiana. He agrees teachers deserve better so students have a greater opportunity to thrive..:
Cut 6 (08) “in life”
BESE District 4 and 7 seats are headed to the November 18th runoff.

Gas prices continue to fall nationwide. The statewide average for a gallon of regular stands at $3.11 which is 8 cents down from last week, and 30 cents lower than the same time last month.

08:30 LRN Newscast, October 17th

Shreveport-Bossier Congressman Mike Johnson says he will run for House Speaker if Jim Jordan of Ohio doesn’t get elected. Teiko Foxx spoke with ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley..:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Teiko Foxx”

We will soon learn more about Governor-Elect Jeff Landry’s plans for Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s agenda will be in line with his gubernatorial campaign…:
Cut 4 (07) “the laws”
Landry will be sworn in on January 8th.

Twenty legislative races are headed to a run-off; 18 on the House side and two state Senate races will be decided November 18th. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says looking back at last Saturday, several competitive state senate races were decided with Blake Miguez, Alan Seabaugh and Patrick Connick all winning…:
Cut 13 (13) “fall that way”
Three statewide races are also in a runoff, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer.

Livingston Parish School officials said the Walker High School Principal accused of citing religion while discipling a student for a video showing her dancing at an off-campus homecoming party has been granted sick leave for the remainder of the year. Jason St. Pierre made the request after receiving massive backlash over his punishment of Kaylee Timonet which including removing her from student government and a scholarship opportunity.

07:30 LRN Newscast, October 17th

What will state government look like when conservative Governor-Elect Jeff Landry takes office? Colleen Crain takes a look..:
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Colleen Crain”

Twenty legislative races are headed to a run-off; 18 on the House side and two state Senate races will be decided on November 18th. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says with the governor’s race decided, voter turnout for the runoff likely won’t even hit the 36 percent who cast a ballot Saturday…:
CUT 15 (05) “because of it”

The House is expected to vote today to elect a new speaker, and Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson told USA Today he will nominate himself if Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio doesn’t get elected. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley believes Jordan will get the necessary votes…:
Cut 11 (12) “Representative Jordan”
Stockley thinks Johnson may be too conservative to get the votes he needs.

U-S domestic oil production hit an all-time high last week, surpassing the record high set before the pandemic. LSU Interim Director of Energy Studies Greg Upton says he doesn’t see it slowing down anytime soon…:
Cut 9 (13) “next decade”
Domestic crude production is at 13 million barrels per day.

06:45 LRN Sportscast, October 17th

The Saints are just 7-for-19 when it comes to scoring touchdowns once they get inside the red zone. That ranks 27th in the league. They went 0-for-3 in Sunday’s loss at Houston. Quarterback Derek Carr says miscommunication is a major culprit…:
Cut 16 (17) “right things”
It’s a short week for New Orleans as they host Jacksonville Thursday night.

Northwestern State’s home game against Southeastern has been moved to Thursday night so the contest won’t conflict with the funeral of recently slain defensive back Ronnie Caldwell. The NSU junior will be laid to rest in Austin Friday and Saturday, so moving the game to Thursday will allow players and coaches to attend.

Heading into Saturday’s game against Army, LSU ranks among the Top ten nationally in seven offensive categories. The Tigers are second in the nation in total offense, averaging 550 yards a game, and third in scoring at 45 points a game. Coach Brian Kelly says fans should not take this type of production for granted…:
Cut 19 (12) “remarkable stuff”
LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels leads the nation in total offense, averaging 401 yards a game. Kickoff Saturday night is 6:30pm.

After helping lead the UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team to a conference championship last season, Themus Fulks was named Monday to the Preseason All-Sun Belt conference Team.

Southern University announced Monday that one of its football coaches and former star player, Sean Wallace, has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

06:30 LRN Newscast, October 17th

We will soon learn more about Governor-Elect Jeff Landry’s plans for Louisiana. A big change in political ideology is expected as the state transitions from a moderate Democrat to a conservative, as Governor John Bel Edwards battled with Republican lawmakers over his years in office. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…:
Cut 5 (09) “four years”
With no runoff, Landry has until January 8th to look at who he wants to bring in to fill his cabinet positions.

Does Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson have a shot at becoming the next U-S Speaker of the House? Despite being well-liked among his colleagues, ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley thinks Johnson may be too conservative to get the 217 votes he needs…:
Cut 10 (11) “of leadership”
The House is expected to vote today to elect a new speaker.

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy is back from a trip to war-torn Israel. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (33) I’m Jeff Palermo”

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams and his 78-year-old mother were carjacked at gunpoint Monday night in New Orleans, according to his spokesman. No other details of the crime were immediately available, though OPDA said Williams and his mother were not harmed.

08:30 LRN Newscast, October 11th

Congressional members are scheduled to vote their next Speaker of the House today. Among the contenders are Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. LSU Political Science Professor Dr. Robert Hogan believes the election process will take a while..:
Cut 8 (10) “…anytime soon.”
When former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was elected in January it took fifteen rounds of voting and several concessions to far-right party members.

Small business optimism nationwide dips in September as inflation remains the single greatest problem in operating a business. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn McVea says the report also found that 43 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill…:
Cut 5 (12) “just frustrating”

Thanks to a disturbance in the Gulf south Louisiana will have rain today. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville ranks in the top 10 as one of the most haunted destinations in the world, according to a recent report from Planet Cruise. Analyzing data from Trip Advisor, the Myrtles had 179 haunted mentions, and 62 spooky mentions.

Gas prices continue to fall in Louisiana. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular dropped another penny overnight to $3.19 which is over 10 cents lower than the same time last week.

07:30 LRN Newscast, October 11th

After hearing from potential candidates last night, the US House begins the lengthy process of choosing the next Speaker…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state is getting some badly needed rain today into tomorrow, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says this disturbance will leave behind a delightful weekend…:
Cut 12 (11) “absolutely glorious”

The NFIB Small Business Optimism index decreased again in September as inflation remains the owners’ most important problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea…:
Cut 6 (10) “the year”
She says the latest report also found 43 percent of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill.

Constitutional amendment three on Saturday’s ballot asks voters if they want to require lawmakers to use 25 percent of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, who authored the amendment, says the state spends over a billion dollars every year just in interest on this debt…:
Cut 13 (09) “other things”
Opponents of the amendment say state surplus dollars help fund road and bridge work, coastal restoration, and other infrastructure needs.