LRN AM Newscall October 8

The University of Louisiana system names its presidential search committee which will help select the next president of Louisiana Tech. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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There are ten constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot — five of them deal with property taxes. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Will Wade’s LSU basketball team tips off against McNeese in an exhibition game tonight, but don’t think that means you’ll finally get to see the full roster. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Up until now, the 2026 hurricane season had been so slow that there was a question of whether there would be any hurricanes at all this year. Those questions were put to rest this morning as Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has strengthened to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the year. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says in fact, this storm will eventually be right on the cusp of a major hurricane.

Cut 4 (08) “…Category Two strength.”

Not only that, it will be the first hurricane in nearly two years to make landfall in the U.S. Keim says, however, that landfall will occur well east of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (08) “…on Friday evening.”

Keim says even though landfall will be too far east to have a major impact on Louisiana, the state could still see some effects from the storm.

Cut 6 (05) “…be prepared for.”

By a wide margin, this is the latest in the year in which the first Atlantic hurricane has formed. The previous record was September 11th, which occurred in 2002 and 2014. That means this year broke the previous record by a whopping 27 days.

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The University of Louisiana System names its presidential search committee which will help the Board of Supervisors select the next president of Louisiana Tech. The committee consists of 18 members, including Tech faculty, students and alumni; U-L Board members and members of the Ruston community. Among those on the committee is State Representative Chris Turner, who says the search will begin with an open forum meeting today.

Cut 7 (11) “…some good candidates.”

Turner says while the search will stretch coast to coast, he would like to see the next president to be hired from within, so to speak.

Cut 8 (14) “…and our city.”

In order to receive full consideration in the initial review, candidates should submit their applications by November 6th. The board expects to select Tech’s new president less than two weeks later, on November 19th, with the new president taking office January 1st. Turner says he would like to make the process more confidential.

Cut 9 (12)  “…in their name.”

The new president will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson, who’s retiring on December 31st.

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Louisiana voters will have plenty to consider on the November 3rd ballot, including ten proposed constitutional amendments. Five deal with property taxes. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment One would let a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran move to another home and keep a special property tax exemption.

Cut 10 (07) “…do that once.”

Procopio says Amendment Six would allow parishes and municipalities to increase the property tax exemption for some homeowners as they age, from 65 up to 81.

Cut 11 (11) “…in their area.”

A vote against Amendment Six would leave the current statewide exemption for homeowners 65 and older unchanged.

Procopio says Amendment Nine would raise the income limit for a property tax assessment freeze from 100-thousand to 150-thousand dollars.

Cut 12 (06) “…to pay more.”

Amendment Two would give local taxing authorities more flexibility in deciding when to set property tax rates, while Amendment Ten would allow parishes to offer tax exemptions for property that’s been rehabilitated after being blighted.

For more information on all ten amendments, check out PAR’s Guide to the Fall 2026 Constitutional Amendments on its website.

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The second Will Wade era of LSU basketball tips off tonight as the Tigers head to McNeese for an exhibition game. Wade, though, told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday that only about eight of his players will play as others wait for eligibility rulings from the NCAA.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to be eligible.”

LSU’s roster has returning fifth-year seniors and former international pros who are still going through the NCAA eligibility process. Wade says some of his players have former overseas teammates who have gained NCAA eligibility already.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take.”

All the proceeds from the trip to Lake Charles will go to the McNeese basketball program. Wade says he owes everything he has to the people of Lake Charles for sticking their necks out and saving his career by hiring him after he was fired by LSU.

Cut 15 (11) “…for their program.”

Tip-off is set for 6:30.

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Southern is still searching for its first SWAC win under head coach Marshall Faulk. The Jaguars will have another tough conference game with a trip to defending champs Prairie View A&M Saturday. Faulk says his offense will need to be ready for a tough Panther defense.

Cut 16 (12) “…how they play.”

Kickoff was moved back an hour to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on HBCU Go.

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Grambling got a big win over Alcorn State last weekend and will look to keep its momentum as it hosts undefeated Jackson State Saturday. Tigers quarterbacks Jacobe Robinson and Ashton Frye put up big numbers against the Braves, and head coach Mickey Joseph says he rotates Q-Bs like any other position.

Cut 17 (14) “…for this team.”

Kickoff in Grambling is set for 4 p.m.

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LSU will take on a familiar face when it heads to Kentucky this weekend. Kentucky’s offense is led by coordinator Joe Sloan, who was fired from LSU last season. Wildcats head coach Will Stein says he and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker have familiarity coaching against one another, but…

Cut 18 (15)  “…what it is”

Kentucky is off to a 4-and-1 start under the first-year head coach. Stein made headlines in the offseason when he said he would be the reason Kentucky would turn its program around. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says that attitude was familiar.

Cut 19 (09) “…a great job.”

Another thing LSU fans may know a thing or two about — Kentucky has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this season. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers ran for 147 yards against the Wildcats last week, and Stein says his defense needs to improve with Sam Leavitt coming to town.

Cut 20 (19) “…on third down.”