1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Seven boys ranging in age from 13 to 17 allegedly took golf carts joy riding and are now facing felony charges for causing damage to the Grand Ridge golf course in St. Charles Parish. Sergeant Jenni Barrette (buh-REHT) says 17-year-old, Hunter Graffia of Destrehan, is facing additional charges.

Cut 10 (09) “…that were underage.”

Since damages exceeded one-thousand dollars, the vandalism is a felony.

The Baton Rouge Police Department will be featured on the TV show “On Patrol: Live.” The program airs Friday and Saturday nights on Reelz and streams on Peacock. Police Chief TJ Morse says it’s not the high-octane reality shows of the past, but rather a day in the life of an officer.

Cut 13 (08)  “…action, action, action.”

The battle over the French Quarter’s trash contractor is heating up. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser promotes Louisiana tourism but doesn’t limit his promotion to New Orleans, the city that attracts visitors from all over the world.

He says he doesn’t want to see New Orleans become overcrowded like many European tourist destinations.

Cut 13 (09)  “…those tourism numbers.”

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

We’re going to go from a scorcher of a work week to a wet weekend – at least in South Louisiana. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a tropical system that’s working its way west along the Gulf Coast is bringing heavy rains and thunderstorms, and some areas experienced some of that last night.

Cut 6 (09) “…Sunday and Monday.”

In less than a week, house fires across the state have claimed seven lives. Last Friday in Iberia Parish, a 71-year-old man died. On Sunday in Livingston Parish, a 65-year-old man died. On Monday in Winn Parish, a 51-year-old woman died. The State Fire Marshall Office said none of the homes had working smoke alarms. In the wee hours of this morning in Lafourche Parish, a 20-year-old woman, a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy lost their lives and while firefighters found smoke alarms in the home, they don’t believe they were working.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will lead the newly formed National Committee on Aerospace, Aviation and Defense, a committee he says was his idea. Along with Nungesser, the committee is led by the lieutenant governors of Alabama, Wisconsin, Utah, Maryland and North Carolina. Nungesser says the aerospace industry represents the future of travel.

Cut 14 (07) “…in two hours.”

The committee will hold its first meeting October 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Procter and Gamble manufacturing plant in Alexandria is hosting a job fair with food and entertainment Saturday at the Randolph Riverfront Center. Senior Manager Kevin Hood says qualified candidates won’t be hired on the spot but will have an opportunity to discuss pay, benefits and responsibilities. He says the plant will be actively hiring over the next year.

Cut 5 (11) “…to offer jobs.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

South Louisiana should plan for storms this weekend. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a tropical system is working its way west along the Gulf Coast bringing heavy rains and some low-lying areas could see some flooding.

Cut 8 (10) “…kind of flooding.”

Keim says this system has neither the time nor the conditions required to develop into a tropical cyclone.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will lead the newly-formed National Committee on Aerospace, Aviation and Defense and he says while Louisiana has a NASA facility, the state could do so much more.

Cut 13 (10)  “…spaceport in Louisiana.”

The committee will hold its first meeting October 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Procter & Gamble Alexandria Manufacturing plant is hosting its WOW Community Event at the Randolph Riverfront Center Saturday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Earlier this week, we reported the Trump administration released 28-million dollars in previously withheld after-school grants for Louisiana. Now, the Department of Education says it’s going to release an additional 1.3-billion dollars. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says that will get the state closer to the funding it had been expecting.

Cut 9 (07)  “…have not released.”

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

In addition to the 28-million dollars in previously withheld after-school grants for Louisiana being released by the Trump administration, The Department of Education announces the release of an additional 1.3-billion dollars. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says the bigger school districts will get more of the grant money, it will have a greater impact on smaller districts.

Cut 11 (13) “…their extra programs.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been tapped to lead the newly formed National Committee on Aerospace, Aviation and Defense. Nungesser says the formation of the committee was his idea.

Cut 12 (09) “…to our states.”

The committee will hold its first meeting on October 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah.

South Louisiana will go from a scorching work week to a wet weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Procter and Gamble Alexandria Manufacturing plant produces laundry products distributed across the country and External Relations Senior Manager Kevin Hood says the plant is looking to hire 100 skilled mechanical and electrical technicians.

Cut 4 (12) “…work experience.”

P&G Alexandria is hosting a job fair Saturday at the Randolph Riverfront Center.

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Procter and Gamble’s Alexandria Manufacturing plant will be actively hiring over the next year and they’re hosting a job fair Saturday at the Randolph Riverfront Center. P&G External Relations Senior Manager Kevin Hood says from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., prospective employees can meet the local plant team and enjoy the event with their families.

Cut 3 (12) “…enjoy the event.”

The P&G Alexandria plant produces laundry products distributed across the country.

South Louisiana is going from heat advisories in the first of the week to heavy rain and thunderstorms. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says before the storm system leaves the area, it’s going to dump a lot of rain.

Cut 7 (07) “…even into Saturday.”

Earlier this week we reported the Trump administration’s release of 28-million dollars in previously-withheld after-school grants for Louisiana. Now, the Department of Education plans to release an additional 1.3-billion dollars. Michael Faulk, the executive director of the Louisiana School Superintendents Association, says school districts completed a detailed application process.

Cut 10 (16) “…the school year”

Public schools can get updated computers because of Act 161 from the 2025 legislative session. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc says during the Covid pandemic, schools used federal dollars to purchase computers for remote learning, many of those computers are now obsolete, so his House Bill 213 creates a buyback program.

Cut 13 (09)  “…professional development”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

Louisiana is the 11th state to put regulations in place for earned wage access, which allows a worker to access earned wages prior to their pay day. E-W-A has been around for the last decade, but Representative Vinney St. Blanc’s legislation puts protections in place for Louisiana workers to access their wages. He says if your employer doesn’t offer this service, there are third party providers who do.

Cut 6 (09) “…requirements are.”

A New Orleans non-profit is doing its part to help restore Louisiana’s coastline. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full says the organization is collecting glass and recycling it into sand to rebuild parts of the Louisiana coast.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sort of thing”

A survey from Bankrate shows almost half of back-to-school shoppers say they are looking for ways to save money. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman suggests stacking and he says, if you already have it, don’t buy it.

Cut 8 (10) “…already have it.”

He also says keep in mind that many items go on sale after Labor Day.

Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore and GM Mickey Loomis were excited to see revamped offensive and defensive line units put on the pads for the first time. The Saints selected left tackle Kelvin Banks ninth overall and moved former first-round picks Taliese (Tah-LEE-ess-ay) Fuaga to right tackle and Trevor Penning to left guard. Loomis is eager to see how the group shakes out.

Cut 12 (11) “…we’ll see.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Louisiana is the 11th state to put regulations in place for earned wage access, which allows an employee to access wages earned before their pay day. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc who authored the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act says about 80-thousand workers in Louisiana have access to E-W-A services and it’s a great feature for those who encounter an emergency and there’s a small fee.

Cut 5 (06) “…working people.”

Back to school shopping has begun or soon will. For those looking to save money, Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman says look for ways to stack discounts and if some items can wait, many go on sale after Labor Day. He says families can also use back-to-school shopping to teach their children about budgeting.

Cut 9 (11) “…back in another.”

Two New Orleans Saints icons announced their retirement. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A New Orleans non-profit is helping to restore Louisiana’s coastline. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full says they are recycling glass into sand and rebuilding parts of the Louisiana coast with the sand and they’re working with many businesses to collect all types of glass.

Cut 15 (15) “…amounts of glass.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

One New Orleans non-profit is turning glass into sand to help rebuild parts of the Louisiana Coast. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full says believe it or not, glass can be crushed so fine that it’s softer and more comfortable to walk on than beach sand in Pensacola.

Cut 14 (07) “…than native sediment.”

He says they’re working with many businesses to collect all types of glass and while most glass will work, coated glass like auto glass will not.

The new school year is right around the corner and soon back-to-school shopping will be in full swing. Bankrate analyst Ted Rossman says back-to-school shoppers looking for ways to save money should consider stacking discounts.

Cut 7 (09) “…online shopping portal.”

He also suggests if it’s not necessary for the beginning of the school year, wait to buy it because many items go on sale after Labor Day.

Thanks to legislation approved by state lawmakers, regulations are now in place for Earned Wage Access, which allows workers to access a portion of their paycheck before payday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Saints begin training camp today and the talk of the preseason will be the battle for the starting quarterback spot. GM Mickey Loomis says it will be a three-way fight between returners Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler and second-round pick Tyler Shough (“shuck”). Moore says he’ll try to give each an equal opportunity to compete.

Cut 11 (12) “…the consistency.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

A New Orleans non-profit is doing its part to help restore Louisiana’s coastline. Ricky Ostry with Glass Half Full says the organization is collecting glass and recycling it into sand to rebuild parts of the Louisiana coast.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sort of thing”

Most glass items will work for the project except coated glass like auto glass.

Earned Wage Access allows an employee to access wages earned prior to their pay day and Louisiana is the 11th state to put regulations in place for it. Franklin Representative Vinney St. Blanc authored the Louisiana Earned Wage Access Services Act.

Cut 4 (11) “…ATM.”

He says about 80-thousand workers in Louisiana have access to E-W-A and now that there are guardrails in place, he hopes more employers will offer it and workers will take advantage of it.

As back-to-school shopping gets set to ramp up, Andrew Greenstein has some money-saving tips.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Saints training camp begins today. With new head coach Kellen Moore and the retirement of quarterback Derek Carr, it will be a fresh start in New Orleans, and GM Mickey Loomis says there’s always an opportunity to be successful.

Cut 10 (12) “…excited about that.”

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

Beginning late next year, Hood Container will begin a modernization project at its St. Francisville paper mill. The state offered the company an incentive package including an 8-hundred-thousand-dollar tax credit to secure the project. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard hopes this won’t be the last investment that comes to the area.

Cut 8 (13) “…open for business.”

Alexandria native and Centenary College graduate, Josh Johnson makes his television hosting debut tonight on Comedy Central’s satire show alongside Jon Stewart. Johnson has been behind the scenes with Stewart for almost a decade writing for the Daily Show hosted by his fellow comedian. Johnson will be on Tuesday through Thursday with in a rotation of hosting comedians.

It was a banner year for the State Treasury in its campaign to reunite unclaimed cash with its rightful owners. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Sun Belt Football Media Days kicked off in New Orleans today. ULM started 5-and-1 under first-year head coach Bryant Vincent last season before dropping their last six straight and failing to reach a bowl game. Vincent says phase one of rebuilding the Warhawks was establishing culture. Phase two was holding on to players despite the growing pains.

Cut 14 (12) “…role in that.”