7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Early voting is over, so this Saturday is the last chance for you to make your voice heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Governor Landry took an aerial tour of the flooding in Avoyelles Parish Friday afternoon, and what he saw from the air took his breath away.

Cut 4 (10) “…was certainly impactful.”

Avoyelles is one of six parishes included in Landry’s disaster declaration following torrential rains from Tropical Storm Arthur.

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The Associated General Contractors of America is sounding the alarm over federal road funding. Experts say 51-percent of Louisiana’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Congress needs to pass a new transportation funding bill by September 30th to ensure that there will be enough money to pay for maintenance of roads, bridges and transit systems. AGCA  Vice President Brian Turmail says a federal EV and hybrid vehicle tax needs to be added to compensate for the federal gasoline taxes they’re not paying.

Cut 11 (10) “…federal fuel tax.”

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted in Natchitoches this weekend. Hall President and CEO Ronnie Rantz says there will be events celebrating the inductees all weekend. He says those will kick off Friday with a Celebrity Bowling Bash in Alexandria.

Cut 13 (10)  “…the whole family.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry gets a first-hand look at the flooding in Avoyelles Parish. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The American Red Cross Louisiana Region announced intensified disaster relief operations in central and southeastern Louisiana amid all the devastation.  With over 30 inches of rain in some areas of Avoyelles Parish and nine confirmed tornadoes in Louisiana and Mississippi , the Red Cross said its disaster teams are working around-the-clock to provide shelter, meals and support to hundreds of families.

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Now that early voting is done, voters have one more chance this Saturday to head to the polls to make their voices heard in the U.S. Senate runoffs. The race getting the most attention has been on the Republican side, with Julia Letlow and John Fleming battling it out for the nomination. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says President Trump’s endorsement could  play a major role.

Cut 7 (11) “…of Donald Trump.”

One group is sounding the alarm over federal road funding, especially in light of the condition of America’s roads. Brian Turmail, the vice president of the Associated General Contractors of America, says 51-percent of Louisiana’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and that costs drivers almost 900 dollars a year.

Cut 10 (12) “…such rough pavement.”

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s plan to redirect money to pay stipends to teachers and support staff hits a road block. An East Baton Rouge Parish judge grants a temporary restraining order blocking the move, ruling that bypassing the legislature violated separation of powers. The plaintiffs’ spokesman, Greg Beuerman, says Landry’s order takes away authority from BESE.

Cut 7 (11) “…the wrong venue.”

It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

 

For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.”

The clock is ticking if you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season. With summer temperatures rising, crawfish are burrowing, and the season is ending. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says you might find a few stragglers at vendors and restaurants until the Fourth of July in South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a great product.”

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

The National Weather Service has confirmed eight tornadoes touched down across Louisiana and Mississippi on June 18th, 2026, with damage surveys revealing significant impacts to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.  The survey work continues on several areas, including Eden Isle, where meteorologists are analyzing whether additional weak tornadoes occurred within widespread wind damage.  The tornado activity began early Thursday morning around 2:49 a.m. and continued through the morning hours, with the last confirmed tornado occurring around 8:12 a.m.

An East Baton Rouge Parish judge granted a temporary restraining order to block Governor Landry’s executive order to reallocate 168-million-dollars in the state’s public school funding formula to provide stipends for teachers. Greg Beuerman, the spokesman for the three plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the order, says it’s unconstitutional.

Cut 6 (13) “…ability to do.”

There’s a hearing set for June 29th.

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For the first time, WalletHub did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Louisiana ranked no higher than 45th in nearly all metrics, with one exception: the male uninsured rate, in which Louisiana ranks 32nd. But Analyst Chip Lupo says, that number is being held down due to a large number of areas of high unemployment.

Cut 14 (10) “…healthcare insurance suffers.”

If you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season, experts say time is running out as crawfish are starting to burrow. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says prices will stay where they are because there are simply fewer crawfish available and she says now crawfish are as affordable as they’ve been this season.

Cut 10 (06) “…two-99 a pound.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Landry’s executive order to redirect public school funding to teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

After a career with Louisiana State Police spanning more than three decades, Colonel Robert Hodges announces that he will be retiring as superintendent this fall. Hodges has been leading L-S-P since 2024. Shortly after making the announcement, Governor Landry tapped Lieutenant Colonel Frank Besson to transition into that role.

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A new WalletHub survey ranks Louisiana next to last in the nation for working dads, getting low marks for percentage of kids under 18 with their father present living in poverty, male life expectancy and average length of a work day for men. We asked analyst Chip Lupo whether Louisiana would have had a higher ranking if the rankings only accounted for the well-populated areas of each state.

Cut 13 (09) “…but not much.”

Two and a half feet of rain in less than 12 hours. That’s what Avoyelles Parish had to deal with Thursday, as the torrential rains transformed neighborhoods into lakes. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says flood waters continued forcing people from their homes Friday.

Cut 4 (08) “…200 right now.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s plan to redirect money to pay stipends to teachers and support staff hits a road block. An East Baton Rouge Parish judge grants a temporary restraining order blocking the move, ruling that bypassing the legislature violated separation of powers. The plaintiffs’ spokesman, Greg Beuerman, says Landry’s order takes away authority from BESE.

Cut 7 (11) “…the wrong venue.”

It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

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For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.”

The clock is ticking if you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season. With summer temperatures rising, crawfish are burrowing, and the season is ending. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says you might find a few stragglers at vendors and restaurants until the Fourth of July in South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a great product.”

 

 

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes after many communities saw serious flooding.  We’re told officials issued mandatory evacuation orders as the rain kept coming down, and sandbags were made available for affected residents. Communities also opened shelters for those displaced by floodwaters.

Speaking of which, floodwaters kept crews in Kenner busy yesterday morning. Even though operations at the airport continued, Police Chief Keith Conley says flooding did make it difficult for people to get to and from the airport. Conley says the city and tow companies it contracts with prepare for these scenarios all the time so…

Cut 9 (10)  “…up pretty fast.”

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Running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead were unveiled as the Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tropical Storm Arthur has passed, but South Louisiana will see more rain over the weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through with a cold front that will mean more thunderstorms.

Cut 11 (07) “…especially on Saturday.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order that would have redirected $168 million from Louisiana’s Minimum Foundation Program to fund teacher and staff stipends.  The temporary restraining order cites five constitutional issues with the executive order.

Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but the rain certainly is not. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places leaving roads flooded and homes underwater. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville says the station was even forced off the air.
Cut 6 (11) “…the transmitters off.”
According to published reports, 150 residents were displaced in Avoyelles Parish alone.

There was also flooding in Kenner yesterday morning.  Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport. But he says while the roads were a washout, operations at the airport continued.

Cut 8 (10) “…inundated with water.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Joe Gallinaro reports one of the hardest hit was Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Floodwaters kept crews in Kenner very busy yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but it’s still going to be a soggy start to the weekend in South Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through.

Cut 10 (12) “…chances relatively high.”

Today is Juneteenth — the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation legally abolished slavery in 1863,but, LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says it wasn’t until Juneteenth that the news arrived on the shores of Galveston, Texas, where many slave owners had fled.

Cut 13 (12)  “…had not heard.”

Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday since 2001.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

The next time you go to a fast food restaurant, be nice to the employees, or else. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Flash flood and tornado watches and warnings were issued overnight for parts of southeast Louisiana as the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Arthur remained.  LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this storm was proof we should never let our guard down.

Cut 12 (07) “…just be vigilant.”

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Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack has reviewed the financials of the state’s public-school districts, and says most of them have the funds to support Governor Landry’s plan to cover the cost of a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand-dollar stipend for school support workers.

Cut 5 (11) “…one time ask.”

LSU and Hyundai Steel inked a Master Research Agreement in collaboration with its 5.8-billion-dollar steel mill scheduled to open in Ascension Parish in 2029. LSU Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research Partnerships Greg Trahan (truh-HAHN) says the research agreement is unlike any LSU has ever signed as it outlines a new way to work with a company.

Cut 9 (14)  “…of talent development.”