1:30 LRN Newscast

Grambling State University made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. It provides access to more than one-point-six million digital books and pieces of research material. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says this ensures students are prepared not only for research in higher education, but also for the tech-forward workforce.

cut 4 (09) “…this information”

 

Baton Rouge Police have seized around one hundred and eighty one pounds of fentanyl, over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, three rifles, a handgun, and more as part of an alleged ongoing drug trafficking investigation involving 42-year-old Cendy Keophinmanh (sen-dee kee-oh-fe-men). Lt. L’Jean McNeely says Baton Rouge was used as a midpoint distribution center…

cut 7 (08) “…and then distributed.”

 

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill in months. SWEPCO began posting disconnection notices around Regions Tower yesterday to give tenants time to make plans in case the power does go out. SWEPCO External Affairs Manager Michael Corbin…

cut 11 (12) “…moment.”

 

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges in Louisiana. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found several boxes of Fruity Pebbles that contained almost 8 thousand methamphetamine pills. Dover says this is what the Highway Enforcement Unit is there for…

cut 13 (11) “…to buy drugs.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Grambling State University has made state history by opening Louisiana’s first digital library building earlier today. Dean of the Digital Library and Learning Commons Adrienne Webber says the digital library reflects a tech-forward shift not just among students, but among libraries and institutions as well.

cut 5 (12) “…with the times.”

 

32-year-old Precious Hicks of Virginia was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking charges yesterday. St. Tammany Parish Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover says Highway Enforcement found marijuana in open view and several boxes of Fruity Pebbles cereal…

cut 12 (14) “…ecstasy pills.”

 

Baton Rouge Police have seized around one hundred and eighty one pounds of fentanyl, over 100 doses of Adderall and Xanax, three rifles, a handgun, and more as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in east Baton Rouge Parish, and latest stats show fatal overdoses are down by over 30-percent. Lieutenant L’Jean McKneely says it’s the product of hard work from investigators and help from the community…

cut 8 (13) “…behind bars.”

 

The power in a premium office building in downtown Shreveport is set to be shut off Monday afternoon because the owners haven’t paid the electric bill for months. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says an investment group from California owns Regions Tower.

cut 9 (11) “…five hundred thousand dollars.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Halfway through the Democratic National Convention, several polls show Kamala Harris with a small lead over Donald Trump. Jeff Palermo has the story.

cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

 

Louisiana State Police and the Thibodaux Police Department have arrested 19-year-old Tylaiah Adams of Thibodaux for aggravated assault with a firearm in a parking lot at Thibodaux High School after school hours. Officials say two male students were involved in an altercation and Adams, who is not a student at Thibodaux High, allegedly got out of a car and brandished a gun.

 
East Baton Rouge authorities have ruled the death of an infant left in a hot car all day last month an accident. The parent told deputies they forgot to drop their six month old off at daycare in the morning and realized the terrible mistake when they went to the day care facility after work. Kids and Car Safety Director Amber Rollins recommends creating a visual reminder for when your child is in the car with you, which can break a parent out of autopilot. She suggests keeping a large stuffed animal in the back seat…

cut 8 (11) “…child is with you.”

 

Governor Jeff Landry expects Louisiana will continue to rise in the national rankings for K-through-12th grade public education. He says thanks to new laws approved by the legislature and finalized by BESE, teachers will get more freedom over things like lesson plans…

cut 5 (08) “…social workers.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

East Baton Rouge authorities have ruled the death of a six-month-old left in a car all day last month an accident. Sean Richardson has more.

cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

Governor Jeff Landry expects Louisiana will continue to rise in the national rankings for K-through-12th grade public education as, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report, Louisiana ranks 40th. Landry points to the Louisiana Gator Program, which will replace the current voucher program. He says Louisiana Gator will expand over time, allowing more students of all income levels to use taxpayer dollars to attend the school of their choice…

cut 4 (08) “…mailing address.”

 

Former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu is serving as a platform committee co-chair at the Democratic National Convention.

cut 9 (07) “…Medicare.”
But Louisiana Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says the Biden-Harris administration’s economic plan led to historic inflation, and prices could rise again if the federal government decides to forgive one-point-four trillion dollars in student loans.

cut 10 (09) “…this election.”

 

Louisiana State Police and the Thibodaux Police Department have arrested 19-year-old Tylaiah Adams of Thibodaux for aggravated assault with a firearm in a parking lot at Thibodaux High School after school hours. Officials say two male students were involved in an altercation and Adams, who is not a student at Thibodaux High, allegedly got out of a car and brandished a gun. All parties then fled the scene.

3:30 LRN Newscast

We’re halfway through the Democratic National Convention and several polls show Kamala Harris with a small lead over Donald Trump. Louisiana Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says for Trump to win in November, he needs to stick to the issues…

cut 12 (09) “…on that.”

 

Ground has been broken on the long awaited Jimmie Davis Bridge Replacement project in south Bossier City and Shreveport. The new bridge will have two more lanes, a median, and three spaces for U-turns; and the old bridge will be converted into a walking bridge. The project will also see LA-511 widened near the bridge to accommodate the extra lanes. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says this project is more than just a bridge…

cut 15 (08) “…currently.”

The new bridge is expected to be completed by 2026.

 

East Baton Rouge authorities have ruled the death of an infant left in a hot car all day last month was accidental. The parent told deputies they forgot to drop their six month old at daycare in the morning and realized the terrible mistake when they went to the daycare facility after work. Kids and Car Safety Director Amber Rollins says usually when this happens, it’s completely accidental and…

cut 6 (08) “…rest of their lives.”

 
Governor Jeff Landry expects Louisiana will continue to rise in the national rankings for K-through-12th grade public education as, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report, Louisiana ranks 40th. Landry says reforms and legislation approved in the last regular session will lead to a higher ranking.

cut 3 (11) “…three years.”

LRN AM Newscall August 21

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Ascension Parish signed a memorandum of understanding to deal with a red dust problem around a former aluminum plant. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

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Ground has been broken on the long awaited Jimmie Davis Bridge replacement project. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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 Two people were arrested, and 33 dogs were rescued from poor living conditions in a Jamestown residence in Bienville Parish. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and Ascension Parish have signed a memorandum of understanding to deal with pounds of red dust falling on homes and schools around the former L’Alumina aluminum plant in Sorrento. LDEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto (Aw-real-ea Gee-ack-oh-met-oh) says the M-O-U basically says…

Cut 4 (12) “…(x2) the parish.”

The red dust is actually bauxite (bock-site), a waste product of aluminum production that can harm the lungs and heart if inhaled. Giacometto says the dust is blanketing nearby communities because it was stored improperly when L’Alumina shut its doors in 2020.

Cut 5 (11) “…a decade or so.”

L’Alumina dumped the red dust, which is actually an aluminum waste product called bauxite, in ponds with sprinkler systems when they closed in 2020. However, the sprinklers often don’t work, causing the dust to travel with wind. Giacometto says the issue won’t go away on its own…

Cut 6 (09) “…solved overnight.”

LDEQ’s cleanup would cost 13 to 18 million. They have 5.5 million from L’Alumina, and they’re in contact with the company to get more.

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The 43rd Annual Louisiana Governor’s Conference on Juvenile Justice is set to take place today through Friday, at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in in Shreveport. Governors Board on Juvenile Justice Chair Vieve (vi-eve) Kohrs says the conference aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions to improve the juvenile justice system in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (12) “…(x2) juvenile justice.”

The conference also serves as a platform for networking and building partnerships among participants committed to reforming and improving outcomes for at-risk youth.

Cut 8 (12) “…of the state.”

This year’s agenda includes topics such as juvenile delinquency prevention, rehabilitation programs, and mental health support. By addressing these issues, the event aims to create a more just and effective system that prioritizes the well-being and development of young people in Louisiana. Kohrs hopes this will help the system be more consistent and data-driven…

Cut 9 (06)  “…can have success.

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Ground has been broken on the long awaited Jimmie Davis Bridge replacement project. The 360 million dollar project will be a new bridge connecting south Bossier City and Shreveport. DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue says the project, which has been in development since 2008, is a big deal for Louisiana.

Cut 10 (12) “…long time coming.”

The new bridge will have two more lanes, a median, and three spaces for U-turns; and the old bridge will be converted into a walking bridge. The project will also see LA-511 widened near the bridge to accommodate the extra lanes. Donahue says this project is more than just a bridge…

Cut 11 (08) “…currently.”

The current bridge was built in 1968 and sees around 26 thousand vehicles every day traveling between Caddo and Bossier parishes. This project not only creates a new bridge with more lanes, but also transitions the old bridge into a walking bridge.

Cut 12 (12) “…transportation system.”

The new bridge is expected to be completed by late 2026.

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Bienville Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested two people in Jamestown and removed 33 dogs from poor living in poor conditions. 32-year-old Tanya Michelle Griffith and 29-year-old Allen Tyler Meylian face 32 counts of cruelty to Animals. Humane Society of Louisiana Director, Jeff Dorson says since Bienville Parish has no Animal Control Department, animal rescue is up to the Sheriff’s office…

Cut 13 (07)  “…rehome them.”

26 dogs were rehomed. Originally there were 34 dogs at the residence but one died in the poor conditions, another died in route to another location, and 5 were deemed a public health and safety issue. Dorson says, too many parishes don’t have the funding for a animal control or shelter.

Cut 14 (08)  “…or surrenders.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana is called upon to handle abused animals, many times from hundreds of miles away and Dorson says they need volunteers and donations to help with the expensive operations…

Cut 15 (09)  “…dollars, easily.”

Those wishing to donate can visit humanela.org

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Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux has made a decision on his starting quarterback for the season opener against Grambling, but he’s not saying who

Cut 16 (19) “…better camp.” 

Two redshirt seniors have been battling for Q-B- one, Chandler Fields and Ben Woolridge. Desormeaux feels good about both of them…

Cut 17 (17) “..pretty soon.”

If you are looking for a player to emerge, Desormeaux says six-foot-six tight end Caden Jensen from Flower Mound, Texas had had a good camp…

Cut 18 (13)  “…for us.”

 

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

43-year-old Anthony Hughes is recovering after getting shot at a spirit event near Bossier High School’s football stadium last night. Hughes got into a fight in the parking lot and was involved in a car crash after being shot by 32-year-old Markus Kelly. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Lt. Matt Gaydos says this is highly unusual for Bossier and they want to make sure nothing like this happens again…

cut 4 (09) “…for improvement.”

 

A judge has set a bond of one-million dollars for 32-year-old Hannah Cormier of Jennings after she was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving her 10-month-old daughter in a car for two hours while she worked a shift at Wendy’s. Authorities believe the child died of heat exposure, as the heat index rose above 106 degrees and Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says the inside of the vehicle felt like 140 degrees…

cut 7 (06) “…109 degrees.”

 

On the first night of the Democratic National Convention, a woman from Baton Rouge told the crowd at the D-N-C about her inability to get medical treatment while miscarrying due to the state’s near-total abortion ban. Kaitlyn Joshua says she was denied care in 2022…

cut 9 (11) “…my life.”

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murill says there’s nothing in state law that prohibits emergency care for someone having a miscarriage or any emergency situation during pregnancy.

 
Governor Jeff Landry told the Bossier Chamber of Commerce that tax reform and revamping the state’s department of transportation will be a major focus next year. Landry promises thorough discussion on both topics, tax reform and reorganizing the state DoT…

cut 13 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

LRN AM Newscall August 20

Louisiana Public school enrollment is down five percent for the 2024-25 academic year, according to a recent report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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 The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Louisiana’s injunction blocking the Biden administration’s expansion of Title IX to include gender identity. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is considering State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley’s Let Teachers Teach policy package. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Madison Sheahan have asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to expand hunting opportunities for black-bellied whistling ducks. Sheahan says they’d like to either add the ducks to the existing teal season, which runs mid- to late-September…

Cut 4 (09) “…here in Louisiana.”

Black-bellied whistling ducks can currently be hunted during the regular winter waterfowl season, which runs from November to January. LDWF is proposing the black-bellied whistling duck season start as early as early September, since, according to Sheahan…

Cut 5 (10) “…own season.”

Black-bellied whistling ducks are a nuisance to hunters and farmers alike: they show up earlier and earlier in larger numbers each year, they confiscate wood-duck nests, and they wreak havoc on rice farms. Shehan estimates they cause 500 thousand to one million dollars’ worth of damage to rice farms every year…

Cut 6 (09) “…grain elevators.”

 

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Public school enrollment in Louisiana has decreased for the 2024-25 academic year, according to a recent report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) by five percent. The decline continues a trend seen in recent years, with fewer students attending K-12 public school. PAR President Steve Procopio says the numbers are concerning…

Cut 7 (10) “…numbers in there.”

Procopio says several factors contributed to this downward trend are an increase in alternatives like charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, population loss, and COVID-19.

Cut 8 (07) “…came back.”

The reduction in enrollment poses challenges for the state’s education system, particularly in terms of funding. Public schools on average has been spending more now than in 2019. Procopio says that’s not a major issue now.

Cut 9 (03)  “…people would think.

The drop in enrollment is also concerning for long-term workforce development, as fewer students in the public school system could translate to fewer graduates entering the local job market.

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The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Louisiana’s injunction blocking the Biden administration’s expansion of Title IX to include gender identity. Attorney General Liz Murrill sought the injunction just 13 minutes after the administration redefined the rule. Friday the Court upheld the temporary injunction that was granted in June. Murrill says for Louisiana schools and universities it means…

Cut 10 (12) “(x2)…this rule.”

The Court rejected the Biden administration’s attempt to vacate the temporary injunction, but Murrill says the fight isn’t over. She will have to defend it before the Court, and she will continue fighting to keep Title IX from being rewritten because in some areas…

Cut 11 (11) “…their biology.”

Murrill says the expanded Title IX rule is also an assault on free speech…

Cut 12 (07) “…they did.”

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State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley’s Let Teachers Teach policy package is being considered by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education which meets today and tomorrow. Brumley says one of the goals of the new education policies is giving effective educators more freedom over lesson planning, as currently…

Cut 13 (10)  “…to professionals.”

The main points of Let Teachers Teach include explicit expectations for student discipline, allowing effective teachers more freedom over lesson planning, and reducing state-mandated teacher training…

Cut 14 (12)  “…teach their kids.”

Brumley says the policies also tighten student discipline, giving teachers the right to have a student removed from the classroom immediately when their behavior prevents instruction.

Cut 15 (09)  “…return to the classroom.”

If the policy package is approved, it would apply for every public school in the state.

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5:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s 57 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are in Chicago where they’ll formally nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the energy in Chicago is electric as every walk of life is attending the D-N-C…

cut 9 (10) “…Windy City.”

 

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is experiencing a lull due to the presence of dry, dusty air from the Sahara Desert, known as the Saharan Air Layer. It carries dust particles across the ocean, drying out the atmosphere and increasing wind shear, both of which are unfavorable for tropical cyclone development. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re moving closer to the peak of the hurricane season…

cut 4 (06) “…whole season.”

 

Thanks to federal dollars, Louisiana is set to launch its largest broadband expansion in the history of the state. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (e33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

 

Authorities are investigating an offshore explosion on Saturday night in south Plaquemines Parish that killed one person, 40-year-old Joshua Nichols of Lake Charles. Sgt. Kate Stegall with Louisiana State Police says they got a call that a natural gas pipeline had exploded in a marshy area near Venice. Stegall says the pipelines have been blocked off, as one of them is still burning through the reserve natural gas in the line.

cut 13 (08) “…to the public.”

LRN AM Newscall August 16

Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase in early 2025 but fees will go down. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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 A settlement involving the National Realtor’s association is bringing changes to the way Realtors help homebuyers purchase a home. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.” 

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DOTD has cleared the last financial hurdle in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

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Entergy Louisiana customers will see a rate increase in early 2025 but will also benefit from lower fees and credits as a result of two settlements approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The settlements end long-running litigation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Mississippi. PSC Davante Lewis says the rate hikes could have been worse…

Cut 4 (13) “…eight to ten dollars.”

Many Entergy customers that use around one-thousand kWh per month will see an initial bill increase of around four-dollars.

Under the agreements, Lewis says Entergy will eliminate connection and reconnection fees, expand eligibility for low-income senior bill discounts, and reduce late fees…

Cut 5 (06) “…one and a half percent.”

The Public Service Commission’s approval of the settlements is a significant move to ensure that utility costs remain fair and transparent.

Cut 6 (13) “…investments in infrastructure.”

Lewis emphasized the commission’s decision reflects ongoing efforts to hold utility companies accountable for their pricing and to protect consumers, particularly in the wake of rising costs in other areas.

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Beginning August 17th, because of a settlement involving the National Realtor’s association, Realtors across the country are facing changes in the way they help homebuyers purchase a home. Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors’ President-Elect, Larry Miller on how the new rules will impact the way homebuyers work with their agents in Louisiana…

Cut 7 (12) “…real estate services.”

Miller explains Buyers have always been the source of funding the home purchase including the compensation of professionals with the seller’s authorizing disbursement of monies to brokers at closing. Now, sellers will no longer offer compensation in advance as a marketing incentive, instead…

Cut 8 (10) “…broker directly.”

Miller says it’s important to understand that Broker compensation has always been negotiable and is not set by any laws, associations, or Multiple Listing Services. Compensation is between the client and broker. Miller says, to be clear is to be kind and you should know what you’re paying for…

Cut 9 (11)  “…will be.

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The Louisiana Lottery Corporation just ended its’ second-best fiscal year ever, with around 643 million dollars in revenue. Spokesperson Dustin Annison says the Lottery transferred almost 205 million dollars to the state treasury to use for K-12 public education this year…

Cut 10 (12) “…education system.”

Since the Lottery began in 1991, they’ve been mandated to transfer 15 percent of their earnings each year to the state treasury to use for K-12 public education. Annison says they’ve transferred around 5 billion dollars since they started, or around 35 percent of total revenue.

Cut 11 (10) “…education.”

The top seller for the Lottery continues to be scratch-offs, amassing around 312 million dollars last year, which is around half of the Lottery’s total sales for 2024. Annison says the Lottery tries to keep scratch-offs fresh by adding more, higher and unique prizes such as…

Cut 12 (10) “…our games.”

 

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DOTD has made a major step forward in building a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. Project Manager Paul Vaught says they’ve officially reached a financial close, as the developer has sold the bonds needed to complete financing. He says the developer, Calcasieu Bridge Partners, will start final designs immediately…

Cut 13 (09)  “…to complete.”

The current I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge is over 70 years old and building a new bridge has been discussed for years. Vaught says the House Transportation committee voted against a financing plan last October. However, Vaught says Governor Landry’s administration got the project back on track…

Cut 14 (10)  “…that were made.”

State and federal funding cover 1.2 billion dollars of the 2.3 billion total cost, and the rest will come from tolls collected at the bridge. Once the bridge is open, it will cost those outside the five-parish area $2.50 with a toll tag and $3.75 without. Vaught says the state will retain around 15 percent of the tolls’ net profit…

Cut 15 (11)  “…five-parish area.”

Preliminary construction work can begin later this year and the goal is to have a new bridge constructed in 2031.

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Saints rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga (Tah-lee-ess-say Foo-ah-gah) left practice Thursday with a back injury. After practice, Coach Dennis Allen said he has yet to receive word about the severity of the injury….

Cut 16 (21) “…back tightness.” 

The Saints next preseason game is Sunday night against the 49ers in San Francisco. It’s another chance for second-year pro Jake Haener to show he should be the primary back-up to Derek Carr. Haener on how he’s improved from last year…

Cut 17 (17) “..you’re accurate.”

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Jardin Gilbert and Jordan Allen have been the starting safeties throughout preseason camp for the LSU Tigers. Major Burns has played the Star position, a hybrid linebacker-safety position. Coach Brian Kelly says the on field communication between the group has been good, but the tackling needs to improve…

Cut 18 (18)  “…evaluate that.”

Josh Williams looks to be the starter at running back, Kaleb Jackson is the primary back-up. Fifth year running back John Emery will also get opportunities after making a decision to return for his final season at LSU. Kelly is glad Emery is still around…

Cut 19 (22) “…he’s back.”

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