5:30 LRN Newscast

Three teens are now facing charges in connection with the line-of-duty death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies. All three are 17 years old, including the driver Adrian Waughtal, and are charged with first degree murder and other charges. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says Sergeant Candies was the 2023 deputy of the year at the Sheriff’s Office for saving two lives, including one victim of a hit and run.

Cut 4 (11) “…saving his life.”

Four people were shot during a trail ride event in Clarence last Saturday, in which more than one-thousand people attended. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Captain Tony Moran says upon arrival, deputies faced heavy traffic and located four victims with gunshot wounds.

Cut 9 (10)  “…gunshot wounds.”

The Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether Louisiana’s Congressional map is legal. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Hyundai announces that it’s building a new steel manufacturing plant in Ascension Parish. The 5.8-billion-dollar plant in Donaldsonville will be Hyundai’s first steel facility in North America. The new plant will anchor the RiverPlex MegaPark on the Westbank of the Mississippi River, and construction is slated to begin in the third quarter next year.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its own. 37-year-old Sergeant Grant Candies was killed early Sunday morning while deploying a spike strip on Interstate 10 – a 17-year-old driver hit him while swerving to avoid hitting the spike strip. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says Sergeant Candies was the 2023 deputy of the year at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for saving two lives, including one victim of a hit and run.

Cut 4 (11) “…saving his life.”

Sergeant Candies also saved the life of a woman who had overdosed on opioids. Candies leaves behind a wife and two children.

Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is filing legislation to crack down on people driving slow in the left-lane and causing a rolling roadblock. Luneau says the current law is hard to enforce…

Cut 13 (06) “…to do it”

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today over the state’s congressional map. Plaintiffs are taking exception to the newly drawn sixth Congressional district, which stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport in order to satisfy a court order that a second Black district is needed in Louisiana. Plaintiffs’ attorney Edward Greim says the Constitution says you can’t draw up a district with race as the primary factor.

Cut 7 (07) “…population ”

Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-gah) says the state was told by federal judges that it needed to establish a second majority Black district in the state and that it was following court orders in redrawing the map. The new map resulted in the sixth district changing hands from Republican to Democrat in the last election.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Oral arguments have wrapped up at the U.S. Supreme Court in a challenge to the state’s new congressional map. The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office defended the map approved in 2024 that features two Black majority districts for the first time in decades. Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga (ah-gheen-YAH-gah) says they were told by federal judges a second majority Black district is needed in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…going to do that.”

The plaintiffs, however, say the map violates the Equal Protection Clause, which says you cannot use race as the primary factor on how the boundaries are drawn. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the new sixth district stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport in a configuration that amounts to racial gerrymandering.

Cut 7 (10) “…its not legal.”

Hearts are heavy in St. Tammany Parish as a sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty over the weekend. 37-year-old Sergeant Grant Candies was killed early Sunday morning while deploying a spike strip on Interstate 10. Lieutenant Suzanne (soo-ZAHN) Carboni says it was supposed to be a routine traffic stop.

Cut 3 (06) “…want to stop.” 

As Sergeant Candies was deploying the spike strip, the 17-year-old driver swerved and hit him instead, killing him. The pursuit eventually ended when the vehicle crashed into a New Orleans Police Department’s vehicle on the Southshore. The 17-year-old faces numerous charges, including first-degree murder.

Will Wade is taking his talents to Raleigh, North Carolina. Following McNeese’s loss to Purdue Saturday, Wade signed a six-year contract to be the new head coach at North Carolina State. But Wade still expects McNeese to keep winning at a high level…

Cut 19 (13) “…just getting started”

10:30 LRN Newscast

If you have an expiring driver’s license, go ahead and wait a few weeks before renewing it. Governor Landry has ordered late fees to be waived for 30 days due to ongoing computer issues at the OMV. Commissioner Dan Casey says by those people staying away from the OMV for now, the OMV can serve everyone else.

Cut 10 (09) “…vehicle renewals.”

If you drive slow in the left lane, please stop it. A state senator is filing a bill in the upcoming regular session that seeks to impose stricter penalties for drivers who do so. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau’s bill eliminates the requirement that drivers must be at least 10 miles an hour under the speed limit to be in violation, instead applying to vehicles traveling at any speed below the posted limit in the left lane.

Cut 12 (07) “…that’s legal.”

The LSU Lady Tigers continue their march to the national championship this evening when they host Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Tigers trounced San Diego State Saturday night, 103-48. LSU junior guard Flau’Jae Johnson knows that all future opponents from here on out will be tougher, starting with the Seminoles this evening.

Cut 15 (11) “…look past anybody.”

The Will Wade era is over at McNeese, and it was a ride. Wade led the Cowboys to two trips to the NCAA Tournament and last Thursday, their first Tournament win in program history. Wade was out of coaching after being fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. He sat out the 2022-23 season and was hired by McNeese in March of 2023…

Cut 18 (05)  “…it just worked.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Oral arguments are underway at the U.S. Supreme Court on whether Louisiana’s congressional map violates the constitution. Civil rights groups and the state argue that the map is legal. ACLU Executive Director Alanah Odoms points out that one-third of Louisiana’s voting population is black – and so is Louisiana’s congressional delegation.

Cut 5 (12) “…itself.”

The plaintiffs, however, say the map violates the Equal Protection Clause, which says you cannot use race as the primary factor on how the boundaries are drawn. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the new sixth district stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport in a configuration that amounts to racial gerrymandering.

Cut 7 (10) “…its not legal.”

A bill filed for the upcoming regular session aims to impose stricter penalties on drivers who block the left lane by driving under the speed limit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau argues that left-lane hogging increases accidents and congestion.

Cut 13 (06)  “…way to do it.”

Luneau proposed the bill after consulting with state troopers, who found the current law difficult to enforce.

The Lady Tigers had an easy time with San Diego State Saturday night. Tonight’s opponent in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament will be much tougher. Third-seeded LSU takes on sixth-seeded Florida State at the P-MAC at five this evening. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says both teams’ defenses will have their hands full.

Cut 14 (07) “…of defense wins.”

On Saturday night, LSU beat San Diego State, 103-48, while Florida State pulled away at the end to beat George Mason, 94-59.

LRN AM Newscall March 24

The U-S Supreme Court hears arguments today about a lawsuit that claims Louisiana’s Congressional district lines are unconstitutional. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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If your driver’s license is set to expire, go ahead and wait a few days before renewing it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Senate Bill 11 aims to impose stricter penalties on drivers who block the left lane by driving under the speed limit.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The U-S Supreme Court hears arguments today over whether Louisiana’s Congressional map with two majority-minority districts violates the Constitution. The plaintiffs say the map violates the Equal Protection Clause, which says you cannot use race as the primary factor on how the boundaries are drawn. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh agrees with the plaintiffs…

Cut 4 (12) “…of the constitution.”

The Louisiana Legislature approved a new Congressional map in January 2024, after the first map they approved following the 2020 census did not have two majority-minority districts.

Civil rights groups believe Louisiana’s current Congressional map is legal, because a third of the state’s black voting population is black, so two of the state’s six Congressional districts should be represented by minorities. Louisiana ACLU executive director Alanah Odoms…

Cut 5 (12) “…itself.”

Odoms says a second Black majority district is required for Black voters in Louisiana to have an opportunity for fair and equal representation…

Cut 6 (12) “…Louisiana.”

For years the state had one majority minority district, covering the New Orleans area. To create a second Black majority district, the Legislature approved a district that stretches from Baton Rouge to Shreveport and Seabaugh says its racial gerrymandering

Cut 7 (10) “…its not legal.”

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If you need to renew your driver’s license, wait a little bit before doing so, even if it’s about to expire. Due to computer outage issues at the Office of Motor Vehicles, Governor Landry has declared a state of emergency. OMV Commissioner Dan Casey says late fees for renewals are currently put on hold.

Cut 8 (10) “…with the mainframe.”

In Louisiana, a Class C driver’s license is your typical non-commercial driver’s license. Casey says the goal is not to overload the computer system so that other people who need timely OMV services can get them with no trouble.

Cut 9 (13)  “…expired license.”

Casey says by telling people who need driver’s license services to stay away for the time being, they can serve everyone else.

Cut 10 (09) “…vehicle renewals.”

Casey says if you have plans to drive out of state and your license is about to expire, then go ahead and stop by the OMV, your field office or your local public tag agent and get your renewal, since Landry’s order does not carry over into other states.

______________________________________________________

A bill filed for the upcoming regular session aims to impose stricter penalties on drivers who block the left lane by driving under the speed limit. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says his proposal promotes highway safety and reduces driver frustration.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t miss it.”

The bill eliminates the requirement that drivers must be at least 10 miles an hour under the speed limit to be in violation, applying instead to any vehicle traveling below the posted limit in the left lane. Luneau says it’s a common sense approach.

Cut 12 (07) “…that’s legal.”

Luneau proposed the bill after consulting with state troopers, who found the current law difficult to enforce. He argues that left-lane hogging increases accidents and congestion.

Cut 13 (06)  “…way to do it.”

Luneau says fines would range from 150 dollars for a first-time offense to 350 dollars or 30 days in jail for a third offense.

______________________________________________________

The Lady Tigers had an easy time with San Diego State Saturday night. Tonight’s opponent in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament will be much tougher. Third-seeded LSU takes on sixth-seeded Florida State at the P-MAC at five this evening. Head Coach Kim Mulkey says both teams’ defenses will have their hands full.

Cut 14 (18) “…lot of shots.”

On Saturday night, LSU beat San Diego State, 103-48, while Florida State pulled away at the end to beat George Mason, 94-59. LSU junior guard Flau’Jae Johnson scored 22 points in 22 minutes in her first game action in more than three weeks Saturday night. She knows that all future opponents from here on out will be tougher, starting with the Seminoles this evening.

Cut 15 (15) “…that scouting report.”

______________________________________________________________

LSU football worked a lot on its running game during Saturday’s spring practice. The Tigers ranked 107th in the country in rushing offense in 2024. Coach Brian Kelly says they will be more committed to the ground game in 2025…

Cut 16 (19) “…in January.”

LSU’s first-team offensive line on Saturday was Tyree Adams, Paul Mubenga, DJ Chester at center, Coen Echols and Weston Davis. Transfers Braelin Moore and Josh Thompson are working with the second team. Kelly says the competition to be starting offensive lineman is fierce…

Cut 17 (14)  “…every week.”

________________________________________________________

The Will Wade era is over at McNeese State, and it was a ride. Wade led the Cowboys to back-to-back Southland Conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament. He was out of coaching after being fired by LSU in 2022 because of recruiting violations. He sat out the 2022-23 season and was hired by McNeese in March of 2023…

Cut 18 (14)  “…unforgettable.”

Following Saturday’s NCAA Tournament loss to Purdue, Wade signed a six-year contract to be the new head coach at North Carolina State. But Wade still expects McNeese to keep winning at a high level…

Cut 19 (13) “…just getting started”

Wade led McNeese to its first-ever NCAA Tournament win on Saturday, but they were no match for Purdue on Saturday as the Boilermakers beat the Cowboys 76 to 62…

Cut 20 (21) “…applauding us.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the Louisiana National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

The NTSB identifies 68 bridges across the country, including eight in Louisiana, as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse.” It asked DOTD to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the department will begin reviewing the bridges right away.

Cut 4 (11) “…have to do.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals or following shadows instead. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter diagnosed Victor with an advanced cataract in his left eye.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette continues through Sunday. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says they’re expecting thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Meanwhile, one vendor has been caught selling crawfish from China without displaying the required signage. Gonzales says they’re tightening enforcement of the state’s new seafood labeling law as a result.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The NTSB identifies 68 bridges across the country, including eight in Louisiana, as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse.” It asked DOTD to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the department will begin reviewing the bridges right away.

Cut 4 (11) “…have to do.”

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard in an effort to save money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry already has a couple emergencies under his belt in the early stages of his governorship, so he has a good idea of the level of staffing needed – and not needed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this will work.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals or following shadows instead. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter diagnosed Victor with an advanced cataract in his left eye.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival is happening in Chalmette through Sunday. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says there will be crawfish in as many ways as you can think of as well as 26 rides to enjoy all weekend.

Cut 13 (11)  “…how much fun is that?”

Hosted by the Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation, the festival continues its mission to support those in need.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the Louisiana National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse.” It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked DOTD to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.” 

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says festivalgoers can enjoy delicious crawfish dishes, carnival rides and games. They’re expecting thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Gonzales says there will be crawfish in as many ways as you can think of as well as 26 rides to enjoy all weekend. Hosted by the Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation, the festival continues its mission to support those in need.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry and Congressman Steve Scalise met with NHL executives this week to urge them to award New Orleans an expansion franchise. Skeptics may point to the fact that New Orleans is not a big media market. Scalise points out that a city very similar to New Orleans in both size and stature has made the NHL a must-see attraction there.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the desert.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to help those affected by the tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you can donate pet food of all types during its Easter Bunny Spring Market and Bake Sale.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t miss it.”

Congressman Clay Higgins says in an open letter that he will not challenge Bill Cassidy for his Senate seat. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A teacher in Rapides Parish is charged with child abuse. 43-year-old Angela Hoosier of Deville is charged with three counts of cruelty to juveniles. The sheriff’s office did not provide any details of the abuse or the age or gender of the victim. It did say the incidents likely did not occur on school property, and the victim was not one of her students.