4:30 LRN Newscast

There have been 54 fire-related deaths in Louisiana this year; that’s up from 41 this time last year. Ken Pastorick of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says in 41 fatal fires this year, only 13 homes had smoke alarms and only three of those were known to be working.

Cut 6 (11) “…in your house.”

Homeowners can apply for a free smoke alarm and installation through Operation Save-A-Life.

A new study shows Northwestern State University has a major economic impact on central and northwest Louisiana. University President James Genovese says taxpayers and students benefit from investing in the institution.

Cut 11 (12) “…is 18.2-percent.”

Governor Jeff Landry announced General Motors Insurance as a new auto insurance provider in Louisiana last week, helping to drive down insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says GM National Insurance has been doing business in the state since 2006. Temple says they do have a new product available for drivers of newer GM vehicles.

Cut 3 (07) “…safe driving habits.”

The LSU football team took to the practice field for the first outing of fall camp today. Head coach Brian Kelly has gone winless in week one games in his three years in Baton Rouge. The Tigers will have a daunting matchup at Clemson to kick off this year’s campaign, but Kelly hasn’t shied away from the big game. He says his staff has been working to break his streak since January.

Cut 13 (12)  “…one and oh.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

A new study shows that Northwestern State is a major economic driver in northwest and central Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

UL-Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie announced he’s stepping down after 17 years leading the university. University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jamie Hebert will serve as interim president. In a letter to the campus community, Savoie called his tenure “the honor of his life.”

Governor Jeff Landry recently announced General Motors Insurance as a new company providing auto insurance in Louisiana. State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says GM National Insurance is not a new company to Louisiana, but they have a new product…

Cut 5 (12) “…better pricing.”

The LSU football team kicked off fall camp today. Head coach Brian Kelly has raved about his team ahead of his fourth season in Baton Rouge. He says he’s seen a tight-knit group doing the necessary things to win.

Cut 12 (12) “…on our team.”

Kelly welcomed the top-ranked transfer class this offseason and has called this roster the best he’s had in Baton Rouge.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry rolls out the welcome mat; Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says they’ve been here nearly two decades. In a recent announcement, Landry says General Motors Insurance uses in-vehicle technology already built into 2016 or newer GM vehicles to offer personalized rates based on safe driving habits. Temple says it’s technology that’s also offered by other insurers in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (07) “…with that.”

With fire-related deaths on the rise in Louisiana, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging you to make sure your home has working smoke detectors. Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says if you don’t have one or need help installing one, take advantage of Operation Save-A-Life.

Cut 8 (11) “…you anything.”

The president of Northwestern State says a new study proves that the university is a major driver of economic growth. James Genovese (JEN-oh-vehz) says it’s not just the taxpayers who benefit by investing in the university – the tuition-paying students greatly benefit as well.

Cut 11 (12) “…is 18.2-percent.”

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly hopes the fourth time is the charm. Kelly is 0-and-3 in season openers since arriving in Baton Rouge; and the task doesn’t get any easier this time around as they open the 2025 campaign at Clemson. Kelly hasn’t shied away from the big game, but he says they aren’t just empty words. His staff has been working since January.

Cut 13 (12)  “…one and oh.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Fire-related deaths are on the rise in Louisiana. So far this year, 54 people have died in fires across the state, up from 41 at this time last year. Ken Pastorick of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says nearly all of them can be traced to the lack of working smoke detectors. He advises you to test smoke alarms monthly.

Cut 7 (14) “…once a year.”

A new study shows that Northwestern State yields a total economic impact of almost a half-billion dollars to central and northwest Louisiana. President James Genovese (JEN-oh-vehz) says the study by labor market analytics firm Lightcast also shows how students benefit financially from their Northwestern bachelor’s degrees.

Cut 10 (09) “…high school diploma.”

Governor Landry recently announced General Motors Insurance as a new company that can provide auto insurance in Louisiana. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says G-M National Insurance is not new and has been doing business in the state in 2006. Temple says they do have a new product available for drivers of newer GM vehicles…

Cut 3 (07) “…safe driving habits.”

The LSU football team kicked off fall camp today. Head coach Brian Kelly has raved about his team ahead of his fourth season in Baton Rouge. He says he’s seen a tight-knit group doing the necessary things to win.

Cut 12 (12) “…on our team.”

Kelly has gone 0-and-3 in week one games at LSU, and he’ll have another tough test this time around as LSU opens the 2025 campaign at Clemson.

LRN PM Newscall July 30

Governor Landry recently welcomed General Motors Insurance as a new auto insurer to the state, but Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that’s not true. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

A new study shows that Northwestern State is a major economic driver in northwest and central Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry recently announced General Motors Insurance as a new company that can provide auto insurance in Louisiana. But Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says G-M National Insurance is not new and has been doing business in the state in 2006. Temple says they do have a new product available for drivers of newer GM vehicles.

Cut 3 (07) “…safe driving habits.”

Governor Landry says General Motors Insurance uses in-vehicle technology already built into Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles that are 2016 or newer to offer personalized rates based on safe driving habits. Temple says this type of technology is also offered by other insurers in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (07) “…with that.”

Shortly after Governor Landry issued a press release welcoming General Motors Insurance to the state, Temple issued a press release several hours later saying GM National Insurance is not a new company to Louisiana, but they have a new product.

Cut 5 (12) “…better pricing.”

________________________________________________

Fire-related deaths are up from 41 fatalities this time last year to 54 so far in 2025. Ken Pastorick of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says in 41 fatal fires, only 13 homes had smoke alarms and only 3 of those were known to be working.

Cut 6 (11) “…in your house.”

Pastorick says families should practice an escape plan with two exits and a meeting point outside to be best prepared for emergencies. Pastorick advises residents to test their smoke alarms monthly.

Cut 7 (14) “…once a year.”

Pastorick says if you don’t have a smoke alarm or need help installing one, take advantage of Operation Save-A-Life. The state initiative provides free fire alarms, which residents can apply for online or over the phone.

Cut 8 (11) “…you anything.”

________________________________________________

A new study shows that Northwestern State is a major driver of economic growth in central and northwest Louisiana. President James Genovese (JEN-oh-vehz) says the study by labor market analytics firm Lightcast shows a total economic impact of almost 500-million dollars.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for by Northwestern.”

Genovese says Northwestern has proven to be a great investment to the taxpayers in the region, saying for every dollar they spend, they get $1.60 back. He says the study also shows how students benefit financially from their Northwestern bachelor’s degrees.

Cut 10 (09) “…high school diploma.”

Genovese says it’s not just the taxpayers who benefit by investing in the university – the tuition-paying students greatly benefit as well.

Cut 11 (12) “…is 18.2-percent.”

________________________________________________

The LSU football team kicked off fall camp today. Head coach Brian Kelly has raved about his team ahead of his fourth season in Baton Rouge. He says he’s seen a tight-knit group doing the necessary things to win.

Cut 12 (12) “…on our team.”

Kelly has gone 0-and-3 in week one games at LSU, and he’ll have another tough test at Clemson this season. Kelly hasn’t shied away from the big game, but he says they aren’t just empty words. His staff has been working since January.

Cut 13 (12)  “…one and oh.”

LSU welcomed the nation’s top-ranked transfer class this offseason to build what Kelly has called his best roster yet.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Fire-related deaths are up from 41 fatalities this time last year to 54 so far in 2025. Ken Pastorick of the State Fire Marshal’s Office says in 41 fatal fires, only 13 homes had smoke alarms and only 3 of those were known to be working.

Cut 6 (11) “…in your house.”

Pastorick advises residents to test their smoke alarms monthly.

A new study shows that Northwestern State is a major driver of economic growth in central and northwest Louisiana. President James Genovese (JEN-oh-vehz) says the study by labor market analytics firm Lightcast shows a total economic impact of almost 500-million dollars.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for by Northwestern.”

Governor Landry welcomes General Motors Insurance as a new auto insurer to the state, but Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that’s not true. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

11:40 LRN Sportcast

The LSU football team hit the field for the first practice of fall camp today. Tigers fans have high expectations for a team led by returning starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but for him to have the Heisman campaign fans think he’s capable of, he’ll need a line of four new starters to hold up. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says that’s on the top of his list of questions.

Cut 19 (22) “…the job.”

The Tigers will wrap up fall camp August 23 and kick off the season August 30 at Clemson.

Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux is a 330-pound force in the middle of the D-line. New Orleans traded for the former Patriot this offseason for his ability to stuff the run after struggling to do so last season. Godchaux says he wants to bring the Saints’ defense back to its dominant ways.

Cut 18 (18) “…football is back.”

The Saints signed offensive tackle Jonathan Mendoza after hosting eight players for tryouts yesterday. Mendoza replaces veteran Josh Ball, who the team released Monday. The undrafted rookie blocked for Tyler Shough at Louisville last year.

Safety J.T. Gray was the only absence from today’s practice as he nurses a minor hamstring injury. He returned to practice on a light day yesterday and is week-to-week with the lower-body injury.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother who was held in ICE detention for two months is back home. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was brought to the U.S. when she was 14. She’s married to a Marine veteran and has a 19-month-old boy and a nine-week-old girl. Her attorney, Carey Holliday, says just a couple days before a routine USCIS appointment, she found out that she has had a final order of removal against her since 2018.

Cut 5 (09) “…her under arrest.”

With the help of Senator John Kennedy, Holliday was able to secure an emergency stay.

She claimed to be dirt poor as she was receiving Medicaid benefits; the Attorney General’s office says she drives a Lamborghini. 35-year-old Candace Taylor of Slidell is charged with government benefits fraud – something Attorney General Liz Murrill says is not a victimless crime.

Cut 12 (08) “…stealing those benefits.”

Governor Landry hosted OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams on his “Diner Days” podcast to announce a long-awaited software enhancement. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson has a full day in his district today, with meetings scheduled with business owners, community leaders and constituents. He will wrap up his day in Bossier City, where he will hold a news conference in which he will discuss the tax and spending bill that he helped get over the finish line.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is back home after being held in ICE detention for two months. 25-year-old Paola Clouatre (CLOO-aht) was taken into custody while at a USCIS appointment. Her attorney, Carey Holliday worked to secure an emergency stay of removal – and with the help of Senator John Kennedy, he was able to accomplish that.

Cut 6 (09) “…have it vacated.”

The Attorney General’s Office dubs her the “Medicaid Millionaire.” 35-year-old Candace Taylor of Slidell is facing charges for allegedly collecting government benefits, despite owning several companies that generate millions in revenue and buying several luxury cars, including a Lamborghini. Attorney General Liz Murrill says cases like this are why Louisiana is very diligent in investigating Medicaid fraud.

Cut 11 (08) “…from the program.”

Governor Landry announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s OMV system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says when the new software is fully implemented, he hopes to revolutionize everything from renewing a Real ID to registering a vehicle.

Cut 9 (10)  “…get it there.”

With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux says Lafayette is working with many community and faith-based organizations to take care of vulnerable people, including seniors.

Cut 14 (08) “…55 and over.”

Boudreaux says they’re also working to make sure that people who need food and water get them.

9:30 AM Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry announced a partnership with a new software vendor to overhaul the state’s OMV system on his “Diner Days” podcast. OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams says they’re working to build a brand-new driver’s license system that will be the greatest thing the state has seen in 50 years.

Cut 8 (11) “…OMV offices.”

A 35-year-old Slidel woman is dubbed the “Medicaid Millionaire” after the Attorney General’s office says she accepted Medicaid benefits while her businesses brought in millions of dollars.  Attorney General Liz Murril says Candace Taylor was collecting benefits could that could have gone to someone else, so Medicaid fraud is not a victimless crime.

Cut 12 (08) “…stealing those benefits.”

———————–

A breastfeeding Baton Rouge mother is released from ICE custody following two months in detention. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

With scorching heat making for life-threatening conditions, communities in Louisiana are opening up cooling centers. Among them is Lafayette. Chief Communications Officer Jamie Boudreaux:

Cut 13 (10)  “…the extreme conditions.”