12:30 LRN Newscast

Walmart is recalling frozen shrimp after the USDA issued a warning about possible radioactive contamination. Federal investigators say the contaminated shrimp is from an Indonesian firm and it was sold at Walmart stores in 13 states. Louisiana Shrimp Association president Acy Cooper is not surprised by the news.

Cut 3 (07) “…screaming it.”

Deputies in Rapides Parish arrest a man after getting a tip from a social media post that a man was trying to talk to kids at a bus stop in neighboring Vernon Parish. Deputies arrested 65-year-old Clyde Krider on a probation violation for being near kids as a level two sex offender. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says the call came in at exactly the right time.  

Cut 6 (11) “…with this suspect.”

A months-long multi-agency crackdown on crime in Baton Rouge has netted 52 federal indictments charging 68 people with various crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. In a news conference yesterday, Governor Landry said now is not the time to let up.

Cut 9 (13)  “…far too long.”

They’re college football shows just for Louisiana. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, a weekly preview show Saturday mornings at ten; and Post Game Notes, a weekly wrapup show Sunday evenings at six. Host Victor Howell says no matter where you are in the state, you can follow your team all season long.

Cut 11 (10) “…we’ll be following.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

With Louisiana being one of the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians, the state is urging you to practice safety techniques when walking on busy roadways. Business owner and avid runner Jenni Peters says if you’re going to be walking at night, whether there’s a sidewalk or not, your very best line of defense is to wear a reflective vest.

Cut 5 (11) “…magnetic clip-on.”

For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which air at ten Saturday mornings; and Post Game Notes, which air at six Sunday evenings. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.

Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s plan to provide power for Meta’s massive A-I data center that they are building in Richland Parish.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Get ready, Louisiana – the peak of hurricane season is just about here. Activity is ramping up in the Atlantic; but so far, Louisiana is not in Mother Nature’s crosshairs. Hurricane Erin is moving away from the coast, and there are three other disturbances, all of which are in the middle of the ocean.

LRN AM Newscall August 21

Statistics show that the streets of Louisiana are quite deadly for pedestrians, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is working to reverse that trend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Starting this year, a college football show just for Louisiana fans. Andre Champagne (SHOM-pahn) reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The Public Service Commission approves Entergy’s plan to provide power for Meta’s massive A-I data center that they are building in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Statistics show that Louisiana is a dangerous state for pedestrians. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says over the last ten years, more pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle crashes than passengers. In fact, in 2024, 161 pedestrians were killed on Louisiana roadways – nearly a ten-percent increase from the year before. So the commission is working to reverse the trend. In a news conference at LSU, State Police Captain Bryan Lee issued a challenge for drivers.

Cut 4 (08) “…especially at night.”

Business owner and avid runner Jenni Peters says if you’re going to be walking at night, whether there’s a sidewalk or not, your very best line of defense is to wear a reflective vest.

Cut 5 (11) “…magnetic clip-on.”

DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet (le-DAY) says the agency is taking proactive measures to get drivers to slow down in areas where pedestrians are prevalent.

Cut 6 (14) “…crosswalk patrols.”

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Over the last several months, law enforcement agencies at several levels ranging from local to federal joined forces to crack down on crime in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. Yesterday in a news conference, they announced the results – 52 federal indictments charging 68 people with various crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Governor Landry says with this kind of cooperation, a lot of great things can be accomplished.

Cut 7 (11) “…see these results.”

Governor Landry says the city got a stark reminder earlier this month that crime in the city remains rampant with the intentional fatal hit-and-run of a Baton Rouge police sergeant.

Cut 8 (14) “…go in vain.”

Landry says while the operation over the last several months has been very successful, now is not the time to let up.

Cut 9 (13)  “…far too long.”

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For the first time, Louisiana has a college football show to call its own. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is launching two new shows this season – Game Notes, which is a weekly preview show which airs at ten every Saturday morning, and Post Game Notes, which airs at six Sunday evening. The show is hosted by Victor Howell, who says the show is all about Louisiana college football.

Cut 10 (09) “…State of Louisiana.”

Howell says no matter where you are in the state, you can follow your team all season long.

Cut 11 (10) “…we’ll be following.”

Every week, Howell will be joined by former linebacker Scott Shanle.

Cut 12 (13) “…Bowl with them.”

The new series begins tonight at seven with the Fall Preview Special. Game Notes premiers August 30th, and Post Game Notes premiers August 31st. The shows air on all Louisiana Public Broadcasting stations and will be posted on its YouTube channel the day after the shows air.

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On a four to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy Louisiana’s plan to build three natural gas powered turbine generators to power Meta’s proposed A-I data center in Richland Parish. More than a dozen people spoke out against the plan, including Logan Wolf from Thibodaux, who says a data center in Memphis is causing problems…

Cut 13 (15)  “…produce.”

PSC Member Davante Lewis was the only one commissioner to vote against the plan. Fellow Democrat, Foster Campbell, voted for it, because he says Meta’s new data center is projected to create more than 500 jobs for an area of the state that desperately needs it…

Cut 14 (14) “…or Delhi.”

Opponents are also concerned that Entergy’s plan to power the data center will result in higher bills for Entergy residential customers. But Entergy’s vice president of regulatory and public affairs, Larry Hand, says Meta will pay most of the bill for the new electric generation, while residential customers might see their bill go up a dollar…

Cut 15 (12) “…this opportunity.”

Renee Carthan of  Lake Charles also spoke against Entergy’s plan, she’s concerned about higher bills, even if it’s a small increase…

Cut 16 (13) “…corporation.” 

It’s estimated Meta’s data center will need roughly three times the amount of electricity that the city of New Orleans uses in a year. Two of the facilities Entergy will build will be in Richland Parish, the other will be built in St. Charles Parish.

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LSU was not as effective as it would have liked to be last season in terms of creating explosive plays when returning punts. Wide receiver Zavion Thomas averaged only 4.6 yards per return on a whopping 66 total return yards during the entire season. Head coach Brian Kelly says he wants the Tigers to be much more reliable on special teams this season.

Cut 17 (17)  “…single time.”

LSU hired special team analyst Aman Anand in January after he helped lead Grambling in the SWAC in kick return yards. Anand has placed a focus on special teams, becoming more group-oriented than it has been in the past. Kelly says that he likes what Anand has done in his short time in Baton Rouge.

Cut 18 (16) “…its details.”

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UL Lafayette has named its starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Former five-star and Lafayette’s own Walker Howard has been named the starter after beating out Daniel Beale and Lunch Winfield for the job. Head coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) said that Howard earned the job after an impressive camp.

Cut 19 (20) “…really excited.”

Howard has had his fair share of ups and downs during his college career. He began his career at LSU coming in as the No. 5 quarterback and later transferred to Ole Miss. When Desormeaux told him that he won the starting job, Howard said he got emotional.

Cut 20 (14) “…behind me.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases. Landry says this includes some of the biggest companies in the industry.

Cut 12 (13) “…and more.”

Former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he’s ready to get back into coaching. He hasn’t coached since being fired after the 2021 season. Orgeron says while he would ultimately like to be a head coach; with this being his fourth year away from the game, he would accept any viable coaching opportunity that comes his way, whether it be as a head coach or as an assistant coach.

Cut 5 (10) “…best for us.”

The state legislature could return to the state capitol this fall for a redistricting session. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Whether the Congressional district lines change or not, absentee ballot envelopes will certainly change in time for the next election. The envelopes will be color-coded and will feature larger print and will be easier to read. The ultimate goal is to make it simpler to cast absentee ballots.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana could be the next state to hop onto the extraordinary mid-decade redistricting bandwagon. House Speaker Phillip DeVillier told legislators to prepare for a possible special session in either October or November. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says if lawmakers redraw the Congressional map this fall, the big question is – how will they reshape the two majority-minority districts?

Cut 7 (10) “…Troy Carter.”

If you’re casting an absentee ballot, you will notice that the envelopes will look different from now on. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says the new color-coded envelopes will incorporate changes in election laws that the legislature passed in the last couple years.

Cut 9 (10)  “…legally allowed to.”

Governor Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases.

Cut 13 (04)  “…on the way.”

While Landry says the decreases are the result of legislation he pushed targeting the insurance industry and injury lawyers who seek big settlements, Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says insurance companies have told him they’re in response to a decrease in accidents since last year.

Former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to coach again. Orgeron was fired in 2021 and received a 17-million-dollar buyout– half of which ultimately went to his ex-wife. He says his focus since his firing has been seeing his sons start their coaching careers; and now that they’ve done that, it’s time for him to get back to work.

Cut 4 (09) “…got it done.”

LRN PM Newscall August 20

Ed Orgeron says he’s been away long enough – he wants to return to the sidelines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The state legislature could return to the state capitol this fall for a redistricting session. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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He may be living the good life in Miami, but former LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron says he wants to return to the sidelines. Orgeron told Tiger Rag Radio that now that his sons have started their coaching careers, he’s getting the itch to coach again.

Cut 3 (14) “…and compete again.”

Orgeron was fired in 2021 and received a 17-million-dollar buyout– half of which ultimately went to his ex-wife. He says his focus since his firing has been seeing his sons start their coaching careers; and now that they’ve done that, it’s time for him to get back to work.

Cut 4 (09) “…got it done.”

Orgeron says while he would ultimately like to be a head coach; with this being his fourth year away from the game, he would accept any viable coaching opportunity that comes his way, whether it be as a head coach or as an assistant coach.

Cut 5 (10) “…best for us.”

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Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier has told legislators to keep their calendars open for a possible redistricting special session in late October or November.  La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says there are already constitutional questions about Louisiana’s current Congressional map and there’s also an effort to create more Republican seats.

Cut 6 (12) “…Congressional seats.”

The U-S Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on October 15th over whether Louisiana’s current Congressional boundaries are constitutional. The legislature created a second majority minority district last year, but opponents of the current map say politics, not race shaped the new boundaries.

Alford says if lawmakers seek to decide to redraw the Congressional map this fall, how will they reshape the two majority-minority districts.

Cut 7 (10) “…Troy Carter.”

It’s not a guarantee that we will see a redistricting special session this fall, but Alford says if the Republican led legislature goes through that difficult process again, it would be to redraw a map with one majority minority district, not two.

Cut 8 (06) “…back””

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If you’re casting an absentee ballot, you will notice that the envelopes will look different from now on. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says besides incorporating larger print and easier to read instructions, the new envelopes will incorporate changes in election laws that the legislature passed in the last couple years.

Cut 9 (10)  “…legally allowed to.”

Watson says the new envelopes are much more colorful – for a good reason.

Cut 10 (14) “…the pre-addressed envelope.”

Watson says the ultimate goal of the redesigned envelopes is to make it simpler to cast absentee ballots.

Cut 11 (11) “…these absentee ballots.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is celebrating the news released by the state Insurance Department that 20 auto insurers have filed rate decreases. Landry says this includes some of the biggest companies in the industry.

Cut 12 (13) “…and more.”

Landry says the rate decreases are coming after he pushed the legislature to pass several insurance reform measures that target both the insurance industry and attorneys who seek big settlements. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says insurance companies have told him the rate decreases are in response to a decrease in accidents since 2024.

Landry says it’s good to see Louisiana drivers are starting to see relief from some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country.

Cut 13 (04)  “…on the way.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The Public Service Commission is meeting at this hour, and it may decide whether to approve a power plant that Entergy is looking to build in northeast Louisiana that would power a massive Meta data center. The Alliance for Affordable Energy is asking the commission to hold off on voting on it until October. Executive Director Logan Burke says the project will benefit one company, while everyone else gets to pay for it.

Cut 4 (13) “…in North Louisiana.”

But Commissioner Mike Francis says most stakeholders appear to be on board with the plan, so there’s no sense in delaying the inevitable. Francis says Louisianans already benefit from some of the lowest energy costs in the country.

Cut 7 (08) “…in the country.”

Crews are making good progress on the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish. Jim Caldwell with the U.S. Forest Service says as of yesterday evening, the 24-hundred-acre fire was just under 60-percent contained.

Cut 11 (11) “…soon be out.”

Caldwell says there are no homes or structures threatened, and no one has been forced to evacuate.

Just like across the rest of the country, smoking continues to be on the decline in Louisiana. In 2023, less than 16-percent of Louisiana adults surveyed admitted that they smoke. Chrishelle Stipe with the Louisiana Public Health Institute says, however, that other tobacco use is on the rise – especially among younger people.

Cut 9 (11)  “…electronic cigarette use.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is taking public input on a proposal that would prohibit the rehabilitation of injured coyotes. Farmers and ranchers support the rule change because they say coyotes will prey on cattle, but Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU Vet school, says there’s a benefit to taking in injured coyotes, bringing them back to health and releasing them back to the wild.

Cut 9 (10)  “…these animals.”

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has broken ground on a massive 2.5-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center in West Feliciana Parish. Parish President Kenny Havard says this will be an economic game-changer – not just for the parish, but for the entire region.

Cut 3 (09) “…the people here.”

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey will face her alma mater in a game that will be played in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Crews are making good progress on the Backbone Fire in the Kisatchie Hills Wilderness Area in Natchitoches Parish. The U.S. Forest Service says the 24-hundred-acre fire is currently just under 60-percent contained. There are no homes or structures threatened, and no one has been forced to evacuate. The fire is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike earlier this month.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is taking public input on a proposal that would prohibit the rehabilitation of injured coyotes. Farmers and ranchers support the rule change because they say coyotes will prey on cattle, but Dr. Mark Mitchell, a professor of zoological medicine at the LSU Vet school, says there’s a benefit to taking in injured coyotes, bringing them back to health and releasing them back to the wild.

Cut 9 (10)  “…these animals.”

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has broken ground on a massive 2.5-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center in West Feliciana Parish. As with all data centers, there is concern about the energy that this one will require to operate. Parish President Kenny Havard says the parish is well-equipped to handle the demand.

Cut 4 (08) “…some of that.”

The LSU women’s and men’s basketball teams will play in a doubleheader at the Smoothie King Center in December. The first game will pit the Lady Tigers against Kim Mulkey’s alma mater, the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. Rhossi Carron (“Karen”) with United Sports and Entertainment says that will add an extra special dimension to the event.

Cut 7 (10) “…for everybody involved.”

The men will wrap up the day’s festivities by taking on SMU.

Governor Landry is sending about 135 Louisiana National Guard soldiers to Washington, DC. Lieutenant Colonel Noel (no-ELL) Collins says the mission for the National Guard soldiers is to restore safety and peace in the nation’s capital.

Cut 15 (06) “…variety of tasks.”

Louisiana joins a growing list of Republican-led states to send national guard troops to Washington, DC, at President Trump’s request.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Bitcoin mining company Hut 8 has broken ground on a massive 2.5-billion-dollar artificial intelligence data center in West Feliciana Parish. It will consist of two, 450-thousand-square-foot buildings, and it will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Parish President Kenny Havard says this will be an economic game-changer – not just for the parish, but for the entire region.

Cut 3 (09) “…the people here.”

It will be a unique doubleheader at the Smoothie King Center in December as the LSU women’s and men’s basketball teams will compete in the Compete 4 Cause Classic on December 13th. Rhossi Carron (“Karen”) with United Sports and Entertainment says what’s unique about this event is that all student athletes will work with kids in the New Orleans community the day before the game.

Cut 6 (09) “…the local community.”

The LSU presidential search committee held its first meeting today; while it’s a nationwide search, there are a few local candidates.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”