7:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation that would ban gender affirming healthcare for transgender youth is close to final passage despite efforts by Democrats to stop the bill from heading to the governor’s desk. A Louisiana Department of Health report showed only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…
cut 11 (08) “….heard of it”
But Republicans say it is happening and this legislation is needed to protect kids from having life altering procedures that they may regret later in life.

While that bill passed the Senate yesterday, a constitutional amendment that supporters say would make it clear slavery is prohibited did not receive enough votes to pass. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert argued the constitution is already clear that slavery is illegal…
cut 15 (09) “…than this”

A bill dubbed the “Stay Back” bill is headed for the Governor’s desk. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Two teenagers have been arrested after setting a fire inside a heavily occupied Walmart in Covington on Sunday night. The blaze consumed an aisle of products in the automotive section. 200 customers had to be evacuated. There were no injuries, but the store could be closed for a month.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers banged out 19 hits yesterday in a 13-7 win over Oregon State to win the Baton Rouge Regional. For a second straight game, Hayden Travinski and Cade Beloso hit back-to-back home runs. Dylan Crews also homered for a second straight day and had three hits. The SEC Player of the Year has a career .463 batting average in NCAA Tournament games…
cut 17 (16) “…try to do”
LSU moves on to play Kentucky in a best of three super regional series that will start either Friday or Saturday. The Wildcats came out of the loser’s bracket in the Lexington Regional to defeat Indiana four to two in a winner take all game. LSU took two of three from Kentucky in mid-April.

LSU pitching coach Wes Johnson has accepted the head coaching job at Georgia. Johnson is in his first season with the Tigers after leaving as the pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins last summer. LSU’s team ERA is 4.60, sixth best in the SEC, but he gets a lot of credit for developing Paul Skenes into a possible number one pick.

Northwestern State’s Bobby Barbier has been named as the new head coach at Southeastern Louisiana. Barbier led the Demons to a 181-169 record over the last seven seasons.

Northwestern State didn’t waste a lot of time naming Barbier’s replacement. Chris Bertrand, who was the Demons associate head coach the last two seasons, will take over the N-S-U program. Bertrand has been on Northwestern’s staff for the last seven seasons. Previously, he spent four seasons as the head coach at U-T Tyler and led the Patriots to three American Southwest Conference championships.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that bans gender-affirming medical care for transgender youths. The controversial measure is one more House vote away from being sent to the governor’s desk. Republican lawmakers are concerned about children receiving hormone replacement therapy, puberty blockers and other life altering medical procedures. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine…
cut 12 (08) “….might outgrow”
Current law requries parental permission for children under the age of 18 to receive gender-affirming health care from a licensed doctor.

A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard says the bill seeks to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties…:
Cut 4 (11) “…people stand back.’”
That zone of safety is 25-feet. The legislation is heading to the governor’s desk.

A bill to increase penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage, but a law professor thinks it’s all for show. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU baseball is heading to the super regionals, the Tigers defeated Oregon State 13 to seven yesterday.

LRN AM Newscall June 6

A bill dubbed the “Stay Back” bill is headed for the Governor’s desk. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

_______________________________________________

A bill to increase penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage, but a law professor thinks it’s all for show. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

Nearing final passage is a bill that bans gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (40)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

_______________________________________________

A House bill giving police the power to tell you “stay back” while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson’s bill was represented on the Senate floor by Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard, who says the bill just seeks to assist law enforcement officers in carrying out their duties…:

Cut 4 (11)  “…people stand back.’”

HB 85 would establish that, if a cop tells you to stay back, you must comply and maintain at least 25-feet distance or face fines. Among those opposed was Democrat Senator Royce Duplessis, of New Orleans, who says the bill is potentially unconstitutional, because of the question of distance. He says it is also already addressed in state law…:

Cut 5 (08)   “…law enforcement investigation.”

Bernard says the statute Duplessis cites applies to Obstruction of Justice, and doesn’t apply in everyday police work. Bernard asks Senators for their vote for the bill, as a way to avoid misunderstandings between citizens and LEOs that can sometimes get out of hand…:

Cut 6 (10)  “…please back up.”

The measure passed by a 29-10 vote. It goes now to Governor John Bel Edwards for his signature…or veto.

________________________________________________

Attorney General candidate and Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill to increase the penalties for fentanyl possession received final passage and awaits the governor’s signature. But LSU Law Center criminal law professor Dr. Ken Levy says it’s simply a repeat of the “War on Drugs” from the 80s.

Cut 7 (09) “…mass incarceration.”

For the first offense of possession of 250 grams or more, the penalty is life in prison and at least 35 years without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Levy says it’s merely Stefanski being lazy and using the legislation to say he’s tough on crime. Instead of passing laws to increase penalties, Levy says the root cause of drug use needs to be the focus instead.

Cut 8 (13) “…to address.”

The original bill would have sent individuals convicted of 28 grams or more to life in prison but was raised to 250 grams. Levy says it’s merely smoke and mirrors and won’t resolve the issue.

Cut 9 (08)  “…are suffering.”

Stefanski is one of three Republicans in the Attorney General race.

____________________________________________

On a 29-10 vote, the Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (13) “…protect kids.”

Opponents of the legislation point to a Louisiana Department of Health report that found only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (08)  “…heard of it.”

But Republicans in the Louisiana Senate expressed concern about children receiving hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers which could do long-term damage. Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine…

Cut 12 (08)    “…might outgrow.” 

The legislation would take effect January 1st. The measure heads back to the House for agreement on a Senate to change to the bill. Governor Edwards could veto it, but lawmakers could override the veto in an override session.

____________________________________________

A legislative proposal that supporters say would make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order for the measure to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert voted “no”…

Cut 13 (09) “…constitution.”  

The United States abolished slavery in 1865. In a conversation with Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, Lambert says he does not believe the state constitution needs to be changed when it comes to prohibiting slavery…

Cut 14 (13)  “…from everybody.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan proposed the change to the state constitution. Jordan says the state constitution says slavery and involuntary servitude are illegal but include exceptions for forced convict labor. But Lambert argued the constitution is clear that slavery is illegal…

Cut 15 (09)  “…than this”

Several states have amended their state constitutions to make it clear that involuntary servitude and slavery are prohibited.

The vote was 21-16 in favor of the measure, but it needed 26 yes votes to pass.

___________________________________________________

The fifth-seeded LSU Tigers are Super Regional Bound after beating Oregon State 13 to 7 yesterday at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. The Tigers had 19 hits and hit four home runs. Redshirt junior catcher Hayden Travinski had three hits including a solo home run in the fifth inning….

Cut  16 (15)  “..number is called”

For a second straight day, Travinski and Cade Beloso hit back-to-back home runs. Dylan Crews also homered for a second straight day and had three more hits on Monday. The SEC Player of the Year has a career .463 batting average in NCAA Tournament games…

Cut 17 (16) “…try to do” 

LSU won the Baton Rouge Regional by outscoring Tulane and Oregon State 26-14. After some struggles on the mound for much of May, the pitching staff has improved. Coach Jay Johnson on what he’s seeing from his relievers…

Cut 18 (17) “..next pitch.”

Johnson also confirmed his pitching coach, Wes Johnson, no relation, is leaving the program at the end of the season to be the new head coach at Georgia. Jay Johnson says Wes Johnson will be missed..

Cut 19 (19) “…great matchup.” 

LSU will play Kentucky in a best-of-three super regional series that will start in Baton Rouge on either Friday or Saturday.

5:30 LRN Newscast and Legislative Report

On a 29-10 vote, the Louisiana Senate approves legislation that would ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Monroe Senator Jay Morris argued for passage of the measure, saying it will protect children from life-altering medical procedures…

Cut 10 (14) “…protect kids.”

Opponents of the legislation point to a Louisiana Department of Health report that found only a few dozen Medicaid-enrolled minors received gender-affirming care between 2017 to 2021. And Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says there have been no surgeries…

Cut 11 (09)  “…heard of it”

The legislation would take effect on January 1st.

A proposal to make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert told Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields he does not believe the state constitution needs to be changed regarding slavery…

Cut 14 (14)  “…from everybody”

The vote was 21-16 in favor of the measure, but it needed 26 yes votes to pass.

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling received final passage. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says even if the suspect never physically endangers a resident, it would be considered a crime of violence…

PM Cut 3 (12) “…of parole.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers are heading to the Super Regionals after beating Oregon State 13 to 7. It’s the second straight day the Tigers took down the Beavers. Yesterday, the Bayou Bengals slugged five home runs in a six to five win, today they hit four home runs. Hayden Travinski and Cade Beloso went back-to-back for the second straight day. Dylan Crews also homered for the second straight day, while Gavin Dugas also went yard.

Riley cooper started and gave up two runs, Nate Ackenhausen also gave up two runs, Griffen Herring gave up two runs in three innings, but earned the win.

LSU will host the winner of tonight’s game between Kentucky and Indiana in a super regional series beginning later this week.

Southeastern Louisiana has named Northwestern State’s Bobby Barbier as its new head baseball coach. He’ll reportedly be the highest paid coach in the Southland. Chris Bertrand who has been part of Northwestern State’s staff since 2017 is the new head coach of the Demons.

The Ragin Cajuns fought, but couldn’t get past the Miami Hurricanes in the Coral Gables Regional, losing eight to five on Sunday. U-L Lafayette was trying to get to the College World Series for the second time in program history and the first since 2000. Coach Matt Deggs believes this team had the talent to do it…
cut 18 (15) “….this tournament”
The Cajuns conclude the season wtih a 41-24 record.

In high school football news, Marcus Yanez is reportedly stepping down as the head fooball coach and athletic director at Richwood High School. KNOE-TV is reporting Yanez will be the new defensive coordinator at Mangham High School.

Former LSU Tiger Bradie James is on the 2024 National College Football Hall of Fame ballot. The Monroe native was a first-team All-American selection in 2002 and a three-tiem All SEC selection. He’s second on LSU’s list in career tackles with 418.

DeQuincy’s Reese Ashworth has been named the Class Two-A baseball Player of the Year. The LSU-Eunice signee was 10-2 with a 0.96 ERA and 134 strikeouts last season. Calvary’s D-Jy Lynch is the Class Two-A Softball Player of the Year. Lynch led the Cavaliers to a second straight title as she hit .528 with 19 homers, and 45 runs driven in.

4:30 LRN Newscast June 5

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling to those of a crime of violence awaits the governor’s signature…:

CUT 01 (31)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana lawmakers are adding teeth to a recently enacted law that requires pornography websites verify users are at least 18 years old. The bill allows the state attorney general to investigate and fine sites up to $5-thousand a day and $10-thousand for non-compliance. That bill goes to the Governor’s desk.

 

Are you a Cleco customer? The utility is spreading the word on how customers can lower energy costs during the summer months by launching its Watt Matters campaign. Cleco’s Caitlyn Watkins says the program includes three focus areas: Manage it – Save it – Know itManage It highlights the budget billing program that allows the customers to pay the same amount each month. Watkins says Save It is implementing small changes at home…:

CUT 13 (13)      “…help customers.”

Find it online at “cleco.com/wattmatters.”

A legislative proposal that supporters say would make it clear in the state constitution that slavery is prohibited in Louisiana fails to get the two-thirds vote needed in the Senate in order for the measure to appear on the October 14th ballot. Gonzales Senator Eddie Lambert voted “no”…:

CUT 29 (09)      “…Constitution.”

The measure will not be appearing on vote ballots this fall as a proposed amendment.

3:30 LRN Newscast June 5

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling received final passage Sunday. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says while the intent is good, defense attorneys will most likely challenge the law once enacted. He says it would make more sense if…

Cut 5 (12)  “…legal challenge.

A political action committee supporting Stephen Waguespack for governor fired the first negative ad of the campaign; calling Attorney General Jeff Landry soft on crime. Now a PAC backing Landry is firing back. Political analyst Roy Fletcher discussed it on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

Cut 10 (11) “…exactly right.”

Qualifying is in August and the primary is October 14th.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for your help in identifying two suspects in connection with a fire at Walmart in Covington, Sunday night. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says one male has brown hair, the other with dirty blonde hair, and both have the same unidentified logo on the front of their t-shirts.

Cut 7 (09)  “…in Covington.” 

A photograph of the two suspects can be found on our website at LouisianaRadioNetwork-dot-com.

Cleco – one of Louisiana’s electric providers – is spreading the word on how customers can lower energy costs during the summer months by launching its Watt Matters campaign. Communications Strategist Caitlyn Watkins says lowering energy usage translates to lower bills.

Cut 12 (11) “…big savings.” 

You can find more at cleco-dot-com.

2:30 LRN Newscast June 5

The House and Senate are showing signs of reaching a compromise plan on raising the state’s expenditure cap. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

State Police say a drug bust on I-20 in Ouachita Parish Friday yielded over 32 pounds of marijuana. The trooper says he could smell the weed as he approached the vehicle. One suspect, the driver, was arrested and is still in custody.

 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for your help in identifying two suspects in connection to a fire inside the Covington Walmart Sunday night. State Fire Marshal Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have determined the blaze was intentionally set…:

CUT 06(11)      “…was injured.”

A photograph of the two suspects can be found on our website at “LouisianaRadioNetwork.com.”

A political action committee backing Jeff Landry for Governor hits back at an ad placed by a pro-Stephen Waguespack PAC, which called Landry soft on crime. The new ad hits pretty hard…:

CUT 28(05)      “…and record debt.”

Political analyst Roy Fletcher is surprised by the early negative ads…:

Cut 11  (08)      “…started like this.”

1:30 LRN Newscast June 5

A political action committee supporting candidate for Governor Stephen Waguespack fired the first negative ad of the campaign; calling Attorney General Jeff Landry soft on crime. Now a PAC backing Landry fires back. Here is a portion of the ad (edited for radio), placed by “Protecting Louisiana’s Children”…:

CUT 09  (12)        can’t make twice

Political analyst Roy Fletcher says answering the Waguespack attack brings him attention – and recognition – the Landry campaign perhaps doesn’t want.

LSU baseball is one win away from advancing to the Super Regionals after rallying back from a three-run deficit to beat Oregon State six to five. The Tigers overcame a pesky Beavers baseball team, AND a three-hour rain & lightning delay. Coach Jay Johnson says Thatcher’s Hurd five inning, 12 strikeout performance was huge…:

CUT 13(10)      “…country tonight.”

If LSU wins one more game today, they head to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2021.

 

A bill to increase penalties for the crime of burglary of an inhabited dwelling to those for a crime of violence awaits the governor’s signature…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

KSLA TV in Shreveport reports a man died and another was rescued, when their vehicle became submerged in floodwaters under the Union Pacific Railway bridge in Shreveport’s Ingleside neighborhood Sunday. First responders got one man out, but found themselves in need of rescue while trying to locate the second.