1:30 PM Newscast

Louisiana voters will be treated to a new I Voted sticker design in the upcoming fall elections. Matt Doyle spoke with the talent behind the new look.

Cut 1 (30) “..I’m Matt Doyle”

A 17-hour standoff in Baton Rouge ends after a shootout with police leaves the suspect dead. The suspect’s identity has yet to be released, but Police Chief Murphy Paul confirms officers involved in the shooting did everything they could to end the incident peacefully.

Slidell is now home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit. The grapefruit has the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and a weight of 7 pounds, 14 ounces. Growers Doug and Mary Beth Meyer say they have preserved the grapefruit in their freezer since harvesting the fruit in January. Now, they plan on writing a children’s book about their experience.

Cut 10 (09) “…experience with Guinness.”

The Meyers credit the results to a bit of magic bestowed upon the tree from their grandchildren and a fairy garden at the base of the tree.

LSU has a record number of freshmen on campus this year as the first day of the fall semester was yesterday. President F. King Alexander says the class has 6,200 students, up from last year’s record 5,800 with an average GPA of nearly 3.7.

Cut 13 (06) “…in state record.”

1230PM LRN News

This year’s edition of the I Voted sticker is a new take on the State Seal featuring a pelican with a crown on it’s head underneath the bold red font of I Voted. Lafayette Artist Tony Bernard says it’s derived from a painting he did, called “In Love With Louisiana”, and sports a reoccurring character of his…

Cut 6, 11 seconds, fitting

It cost the state 18,500 dollars to purchase enough stickers for the fall season.

Slidell is now home to a Guinness record-breaking grapefruit with the distinction of having the largest circumference at 73 centimeters and weight at 7 pounds, 14 oz. Doug and Mary Beth Meyer say it’s all thanks to a little magic given to them by their grandkids…

Cut 9 (12) “…to the fairies.”

It’s been preserved in a freezer since January.

LSU President F. King Alexander is touting record numbers with the incoming freshman class. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

We’re just four days away from seeing LSU’s new spread offense. It will make its debut in Saturday night’s season opener against Georgia Southern. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron continues to promise big things for the Tigers offense, especially with the passing game
Cut 16 (13) “…very well”
LSU released a depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game. It lists Ja’Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall Junior and Justin Jefferson as the starters at receiver. Second-string wideouts are Racey McMath, Derrick Dillon and freshman Trey Palmer.

First-year McNeese Coach Sterling Gilbert names Cody Orgeron as his starting quarterback. The Cowboys open the season on Saturday against the Southern Jaguars, who return 17 starters, including junior quarterback LaDarius Skelton and all-conference running back Devon Benn.

Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins has returned to practice after suffering an Achilles injury in the NFC divisional round of the playoffs. Rankins spent training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but the 25-year-old says he feels good enough to be back on the field with his teammates…
cut 30 (20) “…as soon as possible”
The Saints open the regular season in about two weeks against Houston. It’s hard to say if Rankins will be ready to play in a game at that time.

ESPN reports that NFL owners are still looking to expand the regular season, hoping to add another game or two, but players are not in support of that idea. The discussion is part of CBA negotiations which have not seen much progress according to sources.

11:30 LRN Newscast

3,500 Louisiana AT&T workers are on strike, protesting what they say is the company’s refusal to send a representative who can negotiate a new contract…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State Police say a south Louisiana man is in the Acadia Parish jail after shooting a Rayne Police officer last night. L-S-P says the policeman was treated and released. 31-year-old Dustin Benoit of Rayne has been charged with the attempted murder of a peace officer. No details on what led up to the shooting.

President Donald Trump says serious talks with China will start soon in the hopes of ending the trade war between the two world powers. House Minority Whip and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says it’s been difficult to get the People’s Republic to stay committed…
cut 12 (10) “…trade deal”

The fall semester is underway at LSU and President F King Alexander says the freshmen class is the largest on record for the Baton Rouge campus and more students than ever are living on campus…
cut 14 (10) “…also graduating more”
And Alexander says according to the Payscale College Salary report, LSU ranks fourth in the SEC for both early-career and mid-career earnings for graduates.

10:30 LRN Newscast August 27

Some economists are warning that a new round of tariffs set to kick in in December between the US and China may set off a global recession. But House Minority Whip and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says the global economy would brighten up and recession fears would recede if the Chinese were to accept a fair trade deal with the US.
Cut 10 (09) “…China.”

LSU has started the school year with a record number of freshmen, 6,200. That’s four-hundred more than last year. President F King Alexander credits work in several areas for the growth and says the numbers are a testament to the effectiveness of the holistic admissions approach LSU has taken…
cut 15 (08) “…that just entered”

At this hour, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin unveiled s new “I voted” sticker that will be handed out during the fall elections…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Three candidates who signed up to run for governor last month have been disqualified from the governor’s race for failing to file income tax returns. Republicans Manuel Russell Leach and Patrick Doguet and Democrat Vinny Mendoza will not appear on the October 12th ballot. That leaves six individuals still on the ballot.

9:30 LRN Newscast Aug 27

About 35-hundred AT-and-T workers are on strike in Louisiana claiming the telecommunications company is not bargaining in good faith. Communication Workers of America Local 403 president Dwaine Henderson says AT-and-T employees have been without a contract since August 10…
cut 9 (13) “….recognizes that”
The workers on the picket lines are technicians and customer service reps for AT-and-T’s wireline home and business internet and phone division, not its cellphone division.

LSU has a record number of freshmen on campus as the fall semester is underway. President F. King Alexander says the class has 6,200 students, up from last year’s record 5,800 with an average GPA of nearly 3.7.
Cut 13 (06) “…in state record.”
Alexander says the number of students living on campus has also reached a record number.

So far this morning stocks are trading higher. We’ve seen some big losses lately because of the escalating trade war with China and the fears of a recession. Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says the short-term disruption to the economy is necessary to make up for decades of trade inaction…
cut 11 (10) “…away with”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is bringing back the I voted stickers for the fall elections. They were a big hit in 2016 as they featured the iconic Blue Dog made famous by late artist George Rodrigue. Ardoin says they will unveil a new design in Lafayette this morning and there will be enough to go around for the October primary and November runoff…
cut 6 (08) “…gubernatorial”

8:30 LRN Newscast Aug 27

3,500 Louisiana AT&T workers are on strike, protesting what they say is the company’s refusal to send a representative who can negotiate a new contract…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Eastbank Little League team from River Ridge received a hero’s welcome as they returned to Louisiana yesterday after winning the Little League World Series. A parade in their honor is scheduled for Saturday, but today it’s back to school for the 13 boys.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is bringing back the “I voted” stickers for the fall elections. The state last had them in 2016 and they were a big hit, with many voters selling them on Ebay. Ardoin expects similar enthusiasm…
cut 5 (10) “….secret just yet”
Ardoin says his office is paying for the stickers and promises to have enough so each voter gets one. The new design will be unveiled during a press conference in Lafayette this morning.

The fall semester is underway at LSU and President F King Alexander says the freshmen class is the largest on record for the Baton Rouge campus and more students then ever are living on campus…
cut 14 (10) “…also graduating more”

7:30 LRN Newscast august 27

35-hundred Louisiana AT-and-T workers are among the 20-thousand across the southeast on strike as they claim the communications company is not negotiating in good faith. Communications Workers of America Local 403 President Dwaine Henderson says technicians, customer service reps and others who support A-T-and-T’s telecommunications network are on the picket lines, instead of helping customers…
cut 8 (09) “….normally do”
AT-and-T Southeast workers have been working without a labor contract since August 10th and A-T-and-T says they are surprised and disappointed union leaders called for a strike at this point in the negotiations.

State Police is not giving a timeline on when the westbound lanes of I-10 on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge will re-open. A multiple-vehicle fiery crash yesterday afternoon has led to a big cleanup. One person died and several others were injured.

LSU President F. King Alexander touts record numbers with the new freshmen class. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will unveil new “I voted” stickers for the fall elections during a press conference at UL Lafayette this morning. The stickers first surfaced for the 2016 Presidential election and Ardoin says there’s been a huge demand for them to return…
Cut 4 (09) “…2019 gubernatorial election.”
In 2016, the design featured a George Rodrigue Blue Dog.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 27

In January, Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins tore his Achilles Tendon, but yesterday he was back on the practice field as the team has removed him from the physically unable to perform list. Rankins admits it was surreal to be back on the practice field…
cut 30 (20) “…this team”
The Saints are less than two weeks away from the regular-season opener and it’s still up in the air on whether Rankins will be ready to play in a game by then.

The Eastbank Little League team from River Ridge received a hero’s welcome as they returned to Louisiana yesterday after winning the Little League World Series. A parade in their honor is scheduled for Saturday.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron has talked all offseason about a defensive line that will look to attack more, but in the season opener against Georgia Southern on Saturday, Coach O says his guys will also have to be disciplined against the Eagles triple-option offense…
cut 18 (13) “…big play”
Kick-off on Saturday is at 6:30.

Orgeron’s son, Cody Orgeron, will get the start at quarterback on Saturday for the McNeese Cowboys, who host the Southern Jaguars. Cody Orgeron started three games last year and threw for 406 yards and two touchdowns, but he also tossed three interceptions.

Louisiana Tech will be at 10th ranked Texas. The Bulldogs return six starters on offense. That includes 22-year-old quarterback J’Mar Smith. Texas is about a three-touchdown favorite on Saturday.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 27

About 3,500 Louisiana AT&T workers are on strike, protesting what they say is bad faith negotiating by the company in discussions over a new labor contract which recently expired. Communication Workers of America Local 403 President Dwaine Henderson says the union is ready to negotiate, but AT&T refuses to send a representative who can actually cut a deal…
cut 7 (10) “…done”
AT-T says they’ve made an offer that would help their employees be better off.

President Donald Trump says serious talks with China will start soon in the hopes of ending the trade war between the two world powers. House Minority Whip and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says it’s been difficult to get the People’s Republic to stay committed…
cut 12 (10) “…trade deal”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will unveil new “I voted” stickers for the upcoming fall elections during a press conference in Lafayette today…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

I-10 westbound between Baton Rouge and Lafayette remains closed this morning as a result of multiple crashes on the Atchafalaya Basin that resulted in one death.