8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry had to pay a 900-dollar fine due to travel paid for by others on other’s aircraft during his time as attorney general. Public Affairs Research Council President, Steven Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights. They were all for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general.

Cut 8 (13) “…didn’t disclose it.”

Fines could have been as high as ten thousand dollars per occurrence.

Today, 9/8 is 988 day and the Department of Health and other organizations are hosting an event at the Capitol. Sherrard Crespo with Via Link expresses concern of suicide rates, especially among younger Louisianans.

Cut 6 (10) “…cause of death.”

He hopes state and federal lawmakers will continue funding the 988 suicide helpline.

The ACLU of Louisiana says federal, and state officials are breaking the law by housing ICE detainees at the State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It wasn’t the blowout everyone expected but LSU came out of Death Valley Saturday night with a 23-7 win over Louisiana Tech. After the game, LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly’s tone almost made it sound like LSU lost.

Cut 14 (05) “…our standard.”

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

There are 51 ICE detainees housed in Angola with plans to hold more than 400. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says immigration detention is a civil process to ensure court appearances, not punishment for criminal behavior…

Cut 11 (11) “…already received.”

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says detainees will have access to a legal library and spaces to meet with their attorneys and she adds, the facility meets the organization’s standards.

The mother of the Bryan Vasquez, the 12-year-old non-verbal special needs boy found dead in a lagoon last month was arrested yesterday. Bryan had been missing for 2 weeks. The coroner reported cause of death as drowning and blunt force trauma from an alligator attack. Hilda Vasquez faces negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles charges. NOPD officials report finding a pattern of negligence and abuse by Hilda Vasquez. They say Hilda Vasquez cause multiple serious injuries to Bryan when he was only three months old.

Governor Landry is a little lighter in the wallet this morning. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and today on 9/8, the Louisiana Department of Health with other organizations are hosting 988 Day. Sherrard (SHARE-id) Crespo with VIA LINK, one of the participating organizations, says the event will be in the Formal Gardens at the Capitol this morning.

Cut 4 (14) “…wellness in Louisiana.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

For the first time since 2018, the Saints lost their season opener to Arizona 20-13 as a potential game tying drive ended at the Cardinals 18-yard line. The defense played well, sacking Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray five times. The 36-year-old Cam Jordan had a sack and a half and liked the fight the team showed in trying to come back….

Cut 20 (14) “…until we didn’t”

Spencer Rattler threw for 214 yards, but averaged less than five yards a pass. The Saints were penalized 13 times for 89 yards and the offense committed eight of those penalties.  New Orleans will have to clean up those mistakes to avoid an 0-2 start. They will host the 49ers Sunday, who beat Seattle 17 to 13.

LSU remains ranked third in the AP poll and fourth in the coaches poll despite a lethargic 23-7 win over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday night.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times. Coach Brian Kelly was disappointed with the run game, held to less than four yards a carry. B-K made it clear, he expects better execution because they have the players to do something special this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…disappointing”

The Cajuns beat McNeese 34-10, ULM lost 73 to 0 to Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana beat Murray State, while Nicholls, Northwestern State, Grambling and Southern lost.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry is 900 dollars lighter in the wallet this morning. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Landry was fined that amount of money related to travel during his time as attorney general.

Cut 7 (07) “…in one case.”

Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights; all these flights were for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general.

The ACLU of Louisiana says the housing of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is a dangerous disregard of the legal system. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says housing immigrants in a prison abandons the pretense that immigration detention is civil rather than criminal…

Cut 10 (15) “…to be used”

There are 51 ICE detainees housed at Angola with plans to hold more than 400.

With this being Suicide Prevention Month, and today – 9/8 – being 988 day – the Louisiana Department of Health is joining forces with other organizations in holding 988 Day at the Capitol. Jeanne (“zhahn”) Burns reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

The Saints battled to the end in Kellen Moore’s head coaching debut but came up short in the 20-13 loss to Arizona. Just not enough offense and too many penalties for the Black and Gold. Moore liked the fight from his team…

Cut 19 (12) “…clean up.”

LRN AM Newscall September 8

With this being Suicide Prevention Month, and today – 9/8 – being 988 day – the Louisiana Department of Health is joining forces with other organizations in holding 988 Day at the Capitol. Jeanne (“zhahn”) Burns reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Governor Landry is a little lighter in the wallet this morning. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana says federal and state officials are breaking the law by housing ICE detainees at the State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________

With September being Suicide Prevention Month, and with today – 9/8 – recognized as 988 day, the Louisiana Department of Health and other organizations are hosting 988 Day at the Capitol. Sherrard (SHARE-id) Crespo with VIA LINK, which is one of the organizations putting on the event, says the event will be in the Formal Gardens at the Capitol this morning.

Cut 4 (14) “…wellness in Louisiana.”

Crespo says mental health is a major issue in this country, and it’s one that may still be unjustifiably stigmatized.

Cut 5 (15) “…thoughts of suicide.”

Crespo says suicide is especially prevalent among younger Louisianans, and it’s only getting worse.

Cut 6 (13) “…have gone on.”

Crespo says one message they want to get out is that they want lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to continue funding the 988 suicide helpline.

_________________________________________________

Governor Landry is 900 dollars lighter in the wallet this morning. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Landry was fined that amount of money related to travel during his time as attorney general.

Cut 7 (07) “…in one case.”

Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights; all these flights were for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general, such as conferences and things of that nature.

Cut 8 (13) “…didn’t disclose it.”

It was that non-disclosure of those trips that drew the fine against Landry. The big question now is – is the 900-dollar fine appropriate? The fines could have been as high as ten-thousand dollars per occurrence. Procopio says due to changes in the law that governs ethics investigations, we will never know whether Landry would have been fined more than the 900 dollars he was fined in total in this instance.

Cut 9 (08)  “…we don’t know.”

___________________________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana says the housing of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is a dangerous disregard of the legal system. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says housing immigrants in a prison abandon the pretense that immigration detention is civil rather than criminal…

Cut 10 (15) “…to be used”

Ahmed says immigration detention is a civil process to ensure court appearances, not punishment for criminal behavior…

Cut 11 (11) “…already received.”

Angola has a notorious reputation because it was once slave plantation. In the 1960s and 70s, there were numerous incidents of extreme violence and even in recent history there have been accusations of inhumane conditions.

U-S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says they absolutely chose Angola to send the worst of the worst ICE detainees because of its reputation…

Cut 12 (11) “…of America.”

There are already 51 ICE detainees housed at Angola with plans to hold more than 400. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says the facility meets the organization’s standards. The detainees will have access to a legal library and spaces to meet with their attorneys. Sheahan says the plan is for these detainees to eventually be sent back to their home country…

Cut 13 (08)  “…judge’s decision.”

______________________________________________________

It wasn’t the blowout that fans, oddsmakers – and apparently coaches – had expected. But, nonetheless, LSU came out of Death Valley Saturday night with a 23-7 lethargic win over Louisiana Tech. After the game, an animated LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly’s tone almost made it sound like LSU had lost.

Cut 14 (19) “…that standard.”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times.

Kelly was disappointed the Tigers couldn’t run the ball better, held to less than four yards a carry. 

Cut 15 (13) “…and coaches alike.”

Kelly made it clear in his animated postgame press conference that he expects better execution because they have the players to do something special this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…that’s diappointing”

LSU takes on Florida next Saturday in Death Valley. Florida is looking to bounce back after being upset at home by South Florida, 18-16, despite being 18 and a half point favorites.

______________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech’s offense continues to struggle as the Bulldogs had just 154 yards of total offense in the 23-7 loss to LSU. Starting quarterback Trey Kukuk threw for just 50 yards. Back-up Blake Baker led Tech on a scoring drive in the fourth quarter, and Coach Sonny Cumbie hinted at a possible quarterback change…

Cut 17 (19)  “…reading the cuts.”

Tech is back home this Saturday to take New Mexico State in its Conference USA opener.

________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns bounced back from an ugly two-point loss to Rice to beat McNeese 34 to 10. Bill Davis rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, but Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team threw for only 86 yards. Desormeaux says the passing game will need to improve…

Cut 18 (18) “…work through it.”

The Cajuns are at Missouri this Saturday.

_______________________________________________________________

The Saints battled to the end in Kellen Moore’s head coaching debut but came up a little short in a 20-13 loss to Arizona. Just not enough offense and too many penalties for the Black and Gold. Moore liked the fight from his team…

Cut 19 (15) “…work to do.”

Spencer Rattler threw for 214 yards, but averaged less than five yards a pass. Alvin Kamara had 11 carries and 45 yards rushing and one touchdown. Defensively, the Saints had five sacks, the franchise’s all-time sacks leader Cam Jordan had a sack and a half and also appreciated the fight from his teammates…

Cut 20 (14) “…we didn’t.”

11:30 AM Newscast

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

Kick off tonight is set for 6:30

Louisiana Tech isn’t the only in-state team facing a big opponent tonight.  UL-Monroe will take on twenty-first ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa at tonight at 6:45. The Warhawks are looking to pull off the upset in T-Town just like it did in 2007 when it defeated the Crimson Tide 21 to 14 in Nick Saban’s first year at Bama.

And Grambling State faces the top-ranked team in the nation in Ohio State.  It’s the first time the Tigers will have played an AP number one team.  Kick-off for that one is set for 2:30.

——————————–

It’s the first full weekend of September which means Louisiana’s holding its annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday. Between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes. But, Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says there are certain hunting-related items, though, that are ineligible for the sales tax exemption this weekend.

Cut 4 (09) “…such as airboats.”

If you’re out and about shopping or attending a big game, be aware that COVID cases are up again this year.  It’s happened every year for the last five years.  But Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says so far, this year’s spike isn’t as severe as those in years past, but only time will tell.

Cut 7 (09) “…up each week.”

 

10:30 AM Newscast

COVID cases are on the rise again this year in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Powerball frenzy is hitting hard as a big win tonight would be the second largest in US lottery history.  The estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  Including this one, there have only been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.

—————-

Louisiana Tech and LSU are set for tonight’s 6:30 kick-off in Tiger Stadium.  The purple and gold are expected to win big as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by more than five touchdowns, coming off an impressive win over Clemson. The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2019. LSU head coach Brian Kelly on what he wants from his players.

Cut 12 (13) “…drive themselves.”

It appears that vendors at last weekend’s Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival got the memo to sell only Louisiana shrimp.  SeaD (“seed”) Consulting did genetic testing on shrimp from seven vendors – and the shrimp from all seven were indeed found to be from local waters. Co-founder Erin Williams says it’s a far cry from last year, when shrimp from four of the five vendors they tested turned out to be imported.

Cut 13 (09)  “…help that along.”

 

9:30 AM Newscast

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says spikes in COVID cases have happened every summer since the virus first appeared five years ago, and this year has proven to be no different.

Cut 6 (13) “…over 15-percent.”

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

The 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday is an annual tradition in Louisiana.

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A man wanted for a murder in Ruston was arrested in Texas yesterday after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store on Thursday. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

LSU is expected to win big, as the third ranked Tigers are favorite by 37.5 points.  Kick off is at 6:30

8:30 AM Newscast

The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied a death row inmate’s request for a rehearing. Andre Champagne has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Powerball mania remains in full swing as the estimated jackpot for tonight’s big drawing is up to 1.8 billion dollars.  A windfall tonight would be the second-biggest in U.S. lottery history. Including this one, there have been six jackpots of more than $1 billion in Powerball’s 33-year history.
________________________
Another summer, another spike in COVID cases here in Louisiana, though COVID very different now than it was when it first hit the world five and a half years ago. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton, says while COVID can still have very severe consequences, the likelihood of that is somewhat diminished nowadays.

Cut 8 (10) “…have been vaccinated.”

What a difference a year  can make. Last year at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, SeaD Consulting found that four of the five vendors it tested were selling imported shrimp. This year, it tested seven, and all seven were selling Louisiana shrimp as required. SeaD Co-founder Erin Williams….

Cut 14 (12) “…domestic fishing industries.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (buh-KEEN-ee), a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Willis-Knighton in Shreveport, says spikes in COVID cases have happened every summer since the virus first appeared five years ago, and this year has proven to be no different.

Cut 6 (13) “…over 15-percent.”

A man wanted for a killing in Ruston was arrested in Texas following a police chase that started on I-20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey at a convenience store. Castaneda says a local police officer helped I-D Mack…

Cut 10 (10) “…guy identified.”

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says through Sunday, firearms, ammunition, certain types of knives and hunting apparel are tax-free. Other items, though, are ineligible for the tax break.

Cut 4 (09) “…such as airboats.”

LSU and Louisiana Tech will play each other for the 21st time Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Coach Brian Kelly has great respect for the Bulldogs and their head coach Sonny Cumbie…

Cut 11 (13) “…do the same.”

LSU is expected to win big, as the third ranked Tigers are favored by 37.5 points.