8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Four law enforcement officers including former and current police chiefs have been arrested. They’re accused of accepting money to fabricate police reports so some foreign nations could obtain U-Visas. FBI Special Agent Jonathan Tapp says law enforcement officers must hold themselves to a higher standard, and those indicted in this fraud scheme failed to do so.

Cut 5 (09) “…for personal gain.”

Heavy rains from a tropical disturbance are moving into South Louisiana. Homeland security Director of the Livingston Parish, Chris Anderson says as Livingston and other parishes do their part in preparing, you can do your part as well by listening to and heeding the latest forecasts and emergency information.

Cut 8 (06) “…saying is credible.”

Governor Landry is holding a news conference at GOHSEP this morning to update the public.

Rivalries renewed — the Sun Belt officially welcomed Louisiana Tech at a press conference in Ruston yesterday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The LSU Tigers will open SEC play against the Gators on September 13th. There are high expectations for Florida’s quarterback, DJ Lagway and He’s looking forward to the expectations and a Saturday night matchup in Death Valley.

Cut 17 (13)  “…put on a show.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP this morning to give an update on the heavy rains heading to South Louisiana. Forecasters are calling for several inches of rain, with possible flooding in some areas. And South Louisiana Parishes are preparing. Homeland security Director of the Livingston Parish, Chris Anderson says the parish is already on top of things.

Cut 7 (10) “…local fire stations.”

Governor Landry is expected to urge residents to use this storm to get emergency kits together for later this summer, when the risk for hurricanes intensifies.

Louisiana State Police are now accepting applications for Cadet Class 108. Captain Johnnie Brown on the requirements for consideration.

Cut 15 (07) “…of college credit.”

He says a combination of the two, such as one year of law enforcement experience and 30 semester hours of college credit is also acceptable. Three years of continuous active duty military service will also qualify. The application deadline is August 18th.

The law enforcement community in Louisiana is shaken to the core over the arrests of four Louisiana law enforcement officers in a massive visa fraud scheme. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt Conference held a press conference yesterday to welcome the Bulldogs to the conference. Tech will owe a Conference USA exit fee of at least five million dollars. With lowered costs and increased revenues from Sun Belt West opponents, President Jim Henderson says the Bulldogs are committed to returning to their athletic pedigree.

Cut 12 (12) “…conference championships.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

The indictment of four law enforcement officers in a visa fraud scheme has shaken the law enforcement community. The officers, including two current police chiefs and one former police chief, are accused of accepting money to fabricate police reports so some foreign nationals could obtain U-Visas to remain in the U.S. IRS Criminal Investigations Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman says incidents like these are a black eye to the law enforcement community.

Cut 4 (09) “…at every level.”

Louisiana State Police is now accepting applications for Cadet Class 108. While the class does not start until January 4th, 2026, the application deadline is August 18th – a little more than one month from now. Captain Johnnie Brown says you can fill out the application on the state police website.

Cut 13 (08)  “…police application process.”

And Captain Brown says that application process lasts several months and has several components.

Governor Landry is holding a news conference this morning to discuss severe weather preparations. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Tech and the Sun Belt Conference held a press conference in Ruston, officially welcoming the Bulldogs to the conference yesterday. University President Jim Henderson is looking forward the return of heated rivalries for Louisiana sports fans.

Cut 10 (13) “…student athletes.”

1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Five people, including Police Chiefs from Oakdale and Forest Hill, Former Police Chief of Glenmora Tebo Onishea, and businessman Chandrakant Patel face charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas. Acting Western District U.S. attorney Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook says the people listed on the U-Visa applications were never victims of or witnesses to crime, which is required to obtain the special Visa.

Cut 5 (12) “…United States Government.”

The indictment says Patel paid the officers five-thousand dollars for each foreign national placed on the report, to keep them in the United States.

The Ouachita River is set for designation as a U.S. Marine Highway. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says the designation will increase opportunities for infrastructure upgrades.

Cut 9 (07)  “…infrastructure grants.”

A tropical rainstorm is heading for the Louisiana coast this week. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In Football news, LSU will open SEC play on September 13 hosting Florida. The Gators face one of the toughest schedules in the country again this year, but head coach Billy Napier is leaning on sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway to lead his team.

Cut 14 (14) “…really special.”

12:30 PM LRN Newscast

A major indictment announced in Lafayette this morning against five people, including several Louisiana law enforcement officers. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (45) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Forecasters are now urging those who live near the Gulf Coast to be weather aware for the next few days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a disturbance brewing in the gulf, but it’s not expected to rise to the level of a major storm.

Cut 7 (09) “…a tropical depression.”

He says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be. Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Police Chiefs from Oakdale, Forest Hill, and a former chief from Glenmora were arrested, at least one while attending a conference in Baton Rouge. The U.S. Attorney’s Office announces a 62-count indictment against five people, including four law enforcement officers, in connection with a visa fraud scheme. Alex (“Alec”) Van Hook, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, told a news conference this morning that the five are charged with fraudulently obtaining non-immigrant U-visas.

Cut 3 (12) “…witnesses to crime.”

A disturbance brewing in the gulf is not expected to rise to the level of a major storm but

LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says while wind will not be a factor, heavy rainfall will be.

Cut 8 (13) “…rain on us.”

Governor Landry will be holding a news conference at GOHSEP Thursday morning to give an update on the state’s emergency response, should it be necessary.

After 21 years, Louisiana Tech is headed back to the Sun Belt. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

If you hold a library card at the state library or at the library systems in Iberville, Livingston, Tangipahoa or Rapides parishes, you can now use that card to get into a museum! State Librarian Meg Placke (PLACK-ee) says it’s an expansion of the State Library’s “Check Out Louisiana” program, which was originally developed to allow cardholders to obtain passes to state parks.

Cut 8 (08) “…with our museums.”

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center is watching the Gulf for the possible development of a tropical depression near Louisiana’s southeastern coast later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says regardless of development, significant rainfall totals are expected, with widespread rainfall across south Louisiana on Thursday and Friday…

Cut 4 (07) “…watch on it.”

Southeast Louisiana is under a flood watch from tomorrow afternoon through late Friday night.

The EPA approves two State Implementation Plans aimed at reducing sulfur dioxide emissions. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says it’s a necessary first step when an EPA standard changes.

Cut 8 (14) “…outside the state.”

As part of a month-long national campaign, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding drivers that speeding has deadly consequences. Greg Fischer with the LHSC says in 2023, speeding was a factor in almost 29-percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.

Cut 9 (11)  “…speeding is involved.”

And not just on interstates. In 2023, 83-percent of them in Louisiana happened on non-Interstate roadways.

LSU is expecting the return of some key contributors on both sides of the ball from injury. Linebacker Whit Weeks suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve bowl game versus Baylor. At SEC Media Days yesterday, he said he’d be good to go for camp.

Cut 12 (13) “…really good.”

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is participating in a month-long national campaign aimed at reminding drivers that speeding has deadly consequences. Greg Fischer with the LHSC says the biggest point that they want to drive home through this campaign is that a car is not a toy – it is to be operated safely and responsibly.

Cut 11 (08) “…can’t prepare for.”

Fischer says in 2023, speeding was a factor in almost 29-percent of all fatal crashes nationwide.

The EPA has approved two State Implementation Plans that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The first addresses emissions at Cabot Corporation’s Ville Platte carbon black plant. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says the plant is redesigning and reconstructing a large portion of the plant to bring Evangeline Parish into compliance with EPA standards.

Cut 6 (08) “…90-plus percent.”

A named storm in the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday is a possibility. Jeff Palermo reports regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected in Louisiana.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

LSU is getting some player back from injury this season including Wide Receiver Chris Hilton who missed the first seven games of last season due to injury and totaled only nine receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Hilton has always been a big play threat, and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says he’s improved as he’s gotten healthier.

Cut 14 (11) “…season last year.”

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center says there is a medium chance for a tropical depression to form near Louisiana’s southeast coast later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says regardless of development, significant rainfall totals are expected…

Cut 3 (09) “…south Louisiana.”

The rainfall will reach coastal parishes of southeast Louisiana on Wednesday.

The EPA has approved two State Implementation Plans that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. The first addresses emissions at Cabot Corporation’s Ville Platte carbon black plant. State Department of Environmental Quality administrator Jason Meyers says their submitted plan proves the area will reach attainment with EPA standards, leaving one non-attainment area in Louisiana in St. Bernard Parish. Meyers says work has been underway there as well.

Cut 7 (09) “…submit it to EPA.”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has a stern message for all you kamikaze drivers out there. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Some key LSU contributors are expected back from injury including Linebacker Whit Weeks who suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in the Tigers’ New Year’s Eve bowl game versus Baylor. His linebacking partner, Harold Perkins, suffered a season-ending ACL injury against UCLA in week four. After a true freshman All-American season in 2022, Perkins struggled with position changes and then injury. Head coach Brian Kelly says Perkins will be ready for the start of camp back at his old position of outside linebacker.

Cut 13 (12)  “…to do so.”

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the gulf for the possibility of some tropical activity later this week. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says as of right now, the odds of a tropical depression forming are low.

Cut 9 (08)  “…a watch on.”

He doesn’t expect high winds or storm surge, but we could see a heavy rain event late in the week and into the weekend.

A Carencro man is one point four six million dollars richer after taxes thanks to the Powerball ticket he bought in Lafayette Forth of July weekend. Fermon Bonin was one number away from winning the 192.4-million-dollar jackpot. The Lafayette convenience store where he bought the ticket is excited too since they receive a $20,000 bonus for selling the ticket.

 

LSU football coach Brian Kelly kicked off SEC Media Days in Atlanta this morning. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Louisiana Tech is officially Sun Belt-bound after league officials voted to invite the Bulldogs this morning to replace Texas State who are heading to the PAC-12. The Bulldogs are the tenth team to leave Conference USA since 2022. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says LA Tech needs to reinvest the money it will save from regional rivalries to compete in one of the top mid-major conferences.

Cut 14 (12) “…the Sun Belt is.”