10:30 LRN Newscast

An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who allegedly vandalized her property with racist graffiti. Ryan Thompson says what happened last month was actually the culmination of a pattern of racially-motivated acts of vandalism towards Carolyn Morrison-Howard, including puncturing the tires of her caregiver’s vehicle and etching a swastika into the caregiver’s vehicle.

Cut 15 (10) “…community is safe.”

A St. Charles Parish man tries to run from police by jumping into a swamp and ends up getting attacked by an alligator. State Trooper Kyle Wagner says that alligator attack, along with drone technology, helped police capture 40-year-old Victor Rivas. Before being hauled off to jail, Rivas had to be treated for his bout with the alligator.

Cut 6 (06) “…both his arms.” 

Private drivers are seeing relief when it comes to insurance rates, but that’s not the case for commercial drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

For the second time in less than two months, a detainee at a North Louisiana ICE detention facility has died. The latest is a detainee from the former Soviet republic of Georgia. The man had been detained there for four months before he was found unresponsive last Thursday. A recent inspection of the facility uncovered insanitary conditions and substandard medical care.

LRN AM Newscall June 9

A DWI suspect runs from law enforcement and almost becomes an alligator’s late night snack. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Private drivers are seeing relief when it comes to insurance rates, but that’s not the case for commercial drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Northwest High School football star Markez Davis committed to LSU’s 2027 recruiting class yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A St. Charles Parish man went to great lengths to escape police, including jumping into alligator-infested waters. State Police Trooper Kyle Wagner says during a DWI traffic stop on I-310 early Sunday morning, 40-year-old Victor Rivas ran from the vehicle and jumped off the elevated roadway into the swamp below.

Cut 4 (06) “…evade us again.”

Rivas ran into a swampy area, which apparently was a really dumb move on his part. Wagner says Rivas was attacked by an alligator.

Cut 5 (09) “…of a drone.”

Rivas is charged with DWI and resisting an officer. Additional warrants were obtained for hit and run and careless operation in connection with the earlier crash in Jefferson Parish that led to the traffic stop. Wagner says before jail, Rivas had to be taken to a hospital.

Cut 6 (06) “…both his arms.”

No word on whether LSP is recruiting the alligator for its maritime K9 unit.

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Assumption Parish is offering students the option to take 100-percent of their classes online. The Assumption Parish Schools Virtual Academy will also offer dual enrollment opportunities for homeschooled students. Assumption Parish Superintendent John Barthelemy says some families prefer a non-traditional education.

Cut 7 (09) “…their voices heard.”

Barthelemy says some students have requested remote learning for medical reasons, while others prefer to avoid added social stressors. He says online learning offers flexibility to address the needs of individual families.

Cut 8 (07) “…on their needs.”

As enrolled members of the Assumption Parish School system, students will still be allowed to participate in school clubs, sports and events. Barthelemy says providing traditional social and athletic experiences to students was a priority.

Cut 9 (11)  “…for my kid.”

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Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says many property owners and drivers are seeing a drop in insurance premiums, but rates for commercial auto insurance continue to go up. Temple says that’s because those polices carry higher limits.

Cut 10 (12) “…still going up.”

Temple says one legislative proposal that could help bring down commercial auto rates is a General Damage Cap bill. He says a person’s medical bills and the cost to repair a damage vehicle would still be covered, but a person involved in a car wreck could not recover damages that are not quantifiable.

Cut 11 (07) “…cap on that.”

Temple says 17 other states have a General Damage Cap law, including Mississippi.

Temple says there were several bills in the recently completed legislative session that could have helped bring down commercial auto insurance rates, but they didn’t pass. Including a measure by Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine that said expert witnesses brought in to testify in a trial can only receive a fee for payment.

Cut 12 (11) “…have to say.”

The House approved that bill, but it was never heard in the Senate

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An East Baton Rouge Parish woman is suing the parents of a 13-year-old boy who’s accused of spray-painting racist graffiti on her garage door last month. Ryan Thompson, the attorney who’s representing Carolyn Morrison-Howard, who’s Black, says the boy went to great lengths to racially intimidate her.

Cut 13 (15)  “…as other individuals.”

The boy and his parents live directly across the street from Morrison-Howard in Zachary; as such, Thompson says she no longer feels safe in her own neighborhood.

Cut 14 (06) “…a repeated act.”

The boy was arrested and was booked into juvenile detention on several charges, including hate crimes. Thompson says what happened last month was actually the culmination of a pattern of racially-motivated acts of vandalism towards Morrison-Howard, including puncturing the tires of her caregiver’s vehicle and etching a swastika into the caregiver’s vehicle.

Cut 15 (10) “…community is safe.”

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After losing five-star edge rusher commit Jaiden Bryant to Miami last week, LSU added a flurry of talent to its 2027 class. The Tigers replaced Bryant with five-star pass rusher K.J. Green. The Georgia native is the second-ranked edge rusher in the class and had 18 sacks and 40 tackles for loss last season. Andre Champagne of 247Sports says the 6-4, 230-pounder is an elite pass rusher.

Cut 16 (10) “…edges to do.”

LSU also earned a commitment from three-star running back Brennan Lacey over the weekend. Lacey is a 6-foot-1, 187-pound speedster out of Frisco, Texas who has been shooting up recruiting boards. Champagne says the only reason he’s only a three-star is that he started his high school career as a wide receiver.

Cut 17 (17)  “…in the offense.”

Four-star wide receiver Cade Cooper committed to the Tigers yesterday. The 6-3, 192-pound receiver is the tenth-ranked prospect in the state of Pennsylvania. Champagne says he’ll bring some unique traits to a packed receiver room.

Cut 18 (19) “…able to flourish.”

LSU’s 2027 class of eight commits now ranks 22nd in rivals’ industry rankings.

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The Tigers kept three-star Northwest High School cornerback Markez Davis in the boot. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect announced his commitment to LSU yesterday. Northwest Head Coach Chris Edwards says he’s been a game-changer for the Raiders.

Cut 19 (18) “…off from there.”

Edwards says Davis’s junior high coach told him he would change the Northwest program one day when he was in sixth grade. Edwards has been the Raiders’ head coach for 13 years and is an Opelousas native, and he says he can’t remember another Power Four commit from the school.

Cut 20 (15) “…for the program.”

 

4:30 LRN Newscast

If you need some extra cash this summer or this fall, why not volunteer to be a poll commissioner? They’re needed for the June 27th and November 3rd elections. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says poll commissioners can earn up to 200 dollars a day, and commissioners in charge can earn up to 350 dollars a day.

Cut 10 (12) “…in your community.” 

Louisiana gets a very low ranking in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book, ranking 48th for overall well-being. That includes a number-49 ranking for the health of its children. Teresa Falgoust, the Chief Data and Impact Officer at the Agenda For Children, says it’s concerning to see an increase in the percentage of low-birthweight children.

Cut 13 (10) “…11.6 percent.”

It was 30 years today when Warren Morris delivered the shot heard around the world – or at least around Baton Rouge. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Further proof that it’s not a good idea to run from the cops – a St. Charles Parish man runs into a swamp after being pulled over for a DWI and is almost eaten alive by an alligator. Fortunately, 40-year-old Victor Rivas was able to fend off the alligator, but he wasn’t able to fend off State Police. He was eventually captured and taken into custody.

1:30 LRN Newscast

If you need some extra cash this summer or this fall, why not volunteer to be a poll commissioner? The Secretary of State’s Office needs poll commissioners for the June 27th runoff election and the November 3rd general election. Secretary Nancy Landry says poll workers are essential in keeping elections running smoothly in the state.

Cut 9 (09)  “…here in Louisiana.”

Under legislation recently signed by Governor Landry, jails will be required to immediately notify the public when it releases a violent inmate by mistake. The bill’s author, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry, wanted to be sure whatever was in her bill was something that would be able to be adhered to.

Cut 4 (11) “…address the situation.”

It’s been 30 years to the day since Warren Morris delivered his legendary swing in the 1996 College World Series championship against Miami. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Students in Assumption Parish will have the option to take all of their classes online through the Assumption Parish Schools Virtual Academy, starting this fall. Those students will still be full-fledged enrollees, so they will be able to participate in sports and clubs like everyone else.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement in the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust (FAAL-goo), the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.

Cut 23 (06) “…full-time year-round.”

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves new chronic wasting disease management zones. One issue lawmakers had with the CWD zones was that baiting restrictions penalized hunters and local businesses that rely on deer feed. LDWF Deer Program Manager Jonathan Bordelon says the new regulations allow from September 1st to March 31st, 2027, in the four CWD management zones.

Cut 16 (09) “…their surveillance goals.”

Starting August 1st, prisons, jails and other correctional facilities will be required to immediately notify the public whenever a violent inmate is inadvertently let out. That’s due to a new law Governor Landry signed last month that was authored by New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry, who said there had been several instances when it took hours for these facilities to issue bulletins about escaped inmates.

Cut 3 (04) “…we needed this.”

Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in LSU baseball and College World Series history. In the championship game against Miami, the Tigers were down 8-7, with two outs and a runner on third, when second baseman Warren Morris stepped up to the plate. Morris roped a two-run walk-off homer over the right field wall to win the national championship!

Cut 6 (12) “…seen him.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

An important deadline for the June 27th U.S. Senate runoffs – Saturday is the last day in which you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. This year’s peach fest was jeopardized after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry has some important information for you. She reminds no-party voters that whichever party’s ballot they cast in the May 16th primary will be the one they will cast in the runoff.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.” 

If you need to make any changes to your voter registration, you have until tomorrow to do so.

The Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. The Peach Festival is one of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state, and Experience Ruston President Tori  Davis says Ruston has gotten pretty good at doing all things peach. She says if you can think of a food, they can find a way to put a peach in it.

Cut 10 (11) “…peach dishes.” 

You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Livingston Parish family got an unwelcome surprise Friday morning – an alligator hanging out in the backyard. Kids and pets live in the French Settlement home where the alligator was chilling Friday morning. Police were able to safely wrangle the alligator and relocate it to its natural habitat.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there’s an important deadline tomorrow.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary.

Governor Landry vetoes a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. In his veto letter, Landry stated, among other things, that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says while he accepts the governor’s explanation, he’s nonetheless disappointed.

Cut 14 (12) “…were wrongly convicted.”

It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says you still need to follow the rules.

Cut 7 (09) “…still all apply.”

The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities have already started throughout the week, and the peach parade kicks off the weekend tonight at 6:00. The real spectacle, though, begins tomorrow.

Cut 9 (13)  “…downtown Ruston.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s first veto of this year’s session is on a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation for those who were wrongfully incarcerated. The bill’s author, Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

Landry stated, among other things, that the bill failed to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse.

An important deadline for the June 27th U.S. Senate runoffs is tomorrow – it’s the last day in which you can register to vote for the first time or make changes to your voter registration. And Secretary of State Nancy Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick spoke with LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A Livingston Parish family got an unwelcome surprise this morning – an alligator hanging out in the backyard. Kids and pets live in the French Settlement home where the alligator was chilling this morning. Police were able to safely wrangle the alligator and relocate it to its natural habitat.

LRN PM Newscall June 5

The U.S. Senate runoffs are rapidly approaching, and a key deadline is right around the corner. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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You won’t need a license to fish in Louisiana this weekend, thanks to LDWF’s Free Fishing Weekend. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

The closed party U.S. Senate runoff elections aren’t until June 27th, but Secretary of State Nancy Landry says there’s an important deadline Saturday.

Cut 3 (12) “…June 27th election.”

(Saturday is the deadline to register for the first time or to make changes to registration.) Those changes could potentially include party affiliation, which is the only way one could cast the opposite party’s ballot in the runoff than the one cast in the May 16th primary. Landry says otherwise, voters will cast the same party’s ballot on June 27th.

Cut 4 (10) “…party primary races.”

If no-party voters either cast a no-party ballot on May 16th or didn’t cast a ballot at all, they will still have the option on June 27th. And Landry says while early voting normally starts on a Saturday, this time around it’s a little different.

Cut 5 (11) “…the Juneteenth holiday.”

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It’s free fishing weekend in Louisiana. This Saturday and Sunday, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is not requiring a fishing license for anglers in Sportsman’s Paradise. LDWF Fisheries Outreach Biologist Joshua Porter says it’s a great opportunity to find a new summer hobby or spend time with the family.

Cut 6 (07) “…a fishing license.”

Just because you don’t have a license, though, doesn’t mean you don’t still have to follow the rules. Porter says you can find all the information you need before you cast on the LDWF website.

Cut 7 (09) “…still all apply.”

If you’re not sure where to go, LDWF has stocked ponds across the state that are freshly filled. Porter encourages new anglers and families to visit one of these sites for the best chance of bringing home something to fry.

Cut 8 (06) “…adult channel catfish.”

A full list of all 17 sites, as well as fishing tips and recipes, can be found on the LDWF website.

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The 76th Louisiana Peach Festival is this weekend in Ruston. Experience Ruston President Tori Davis says festivities have already started throughout the week, and the peach parade kicks off the weekend tonight at 6:00. The real spectacle, though, begins Saturday.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in downtown Ruston.”

The Peach Festival is one of the oldest agricultural festivals in the state, and Davis says Ruston has gotten pretty good at doing all things peach. She says if you can think of a food, they can find a way to put a peach in it.

Cut 10 (11) “…of peach dishes.”

This year’s peach fest was jeopardized after a mid-march freeze dropped lows to 22 degrees, killing a significant amount of local farmers’ peach crops. Davis says the vendors worked to bring in extra peaches from South Carolina to make sure there would be enough for the festivities.

Cut 11 (11) “…our local farmers.”

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The first bill Governor Landry has vetoed this year is Senate Bill 125 by Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux. It’s a bill that would have increased the maximum compensation to those who had been wrongfully incarcerated.

Cut 12 (11) “…to 600-thousand.”

Senator Boudreaux says his bill got the support of every single lawmaker – except for the one that mattered.

Cut 13 (08) “…not become law.”

In his veto letter, Landry stated, among other things, that the bill fails to ensure that the process is fair, accountable and protected against abuse, especially in light of rising costs and fewer dollars for the state to work with. Boudreaux says while he accepts the governor’s explanation and the bill’s fate, he’s nonetheless disappointed.

Cut 14 (12) “…were wrongly convicted.”