4:45 LRN Sportscast

New LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson says coaching the Tigers is an opportunity of his lifetime. The California native is leaving the University of Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to the College World Series twice, including a national runner-up finish in 2016. Publisher of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Lou Pavlovich says Johnson is a good hire for LSU, who has teams that are productive at the plate. He says Johnson’s biggest challenge will be dealing with Tiger fans’ lofty expectations…
cut 11 (12) “…regularly”
D-1 Baseball-dot-com’s Aaron Fitt says it will help that Johnson takes over a program where there’s plenty of talent…
cut 18 (10) “….very exciting”
Johnson will be introduced to the LSU fan base on Monday afternoon.
The Saints have issued a statement in response to a report the Superdome would require masks at events with 100-percent capacity. The NFL franchise says they will not require proof of vaccination but, they expect masks will not be a requirement once the season begins. That expectation is based on the vaccination rate continuing to improve. The Saints also says 100-percent of the coaches and operations staff are vaccinated. And they rank in the top three in the NFL in player vaccination rates.

Starting on July first, college athletes in Louisiana can begin to make money off of their name, image, and likeness and will not face punishment from the NCAA. U-L System President Doctor Jim Henderson says had this new law been in place before, athletes like former Grambling star Shakyla Hill could have profited from becoming the first college basketball player to record two career quadruple-doubles…
cut 7 (11) “…constructive ways’
Henderson says it will likely take some time before student-athlete endorsements become normalized, especially with no national policy in place.

LRN PM Newscall June 25

Starting July 1st Louisiana student-athletes will be able to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness. Jeff Palermo spoke with UL System President Jim Henderson about the new policy…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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Governor Edwards vetoes a second high-profile bill from the 2021 legislative session, legislation allowing 21 and older to conceal carry. Brooke Thorington has more on what this means for the possibility of a veto session

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Law enforcement arrests one of their own for multiple sexual abuse charges including rape and indecent behavior with children in Ascension, East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes. State Police Seargent Scott Moreau says an extensive investigation led to the arrested of 51-year old David Harris of Prairieville

Cut 3 (08)  “…field office”

Moreau says in February the US Department of Justice and State Police received a complaint of alleged sexual wrongdoings by Harris that involved multiple victims in several parishes.

Cut 4 (10) “…as 2016.”

Moreau says Harris was booked in Ascension Parish for Aggravated Crimes Against Nature, and Indecent Behavior with Children under the age of 13. Moreau says upon release Harris faces more charges.

Cut 5  (13) “…intimidation” 

LSP encourages potential victims to use the state police online anonymous reporting form.

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Effective July 1st Louisiana student-athletes will be able to profit from the use of their name image and likeness without it impacting their status.

UL System President Jim Henderson says the change is long overdue and he’s thankful that the Legislature OK’d the new policy.

Cut 6 (09) “…way.”

Under UL System N.I.L. policy student-athletes must complete a five-hour yearly training course on the procedure for obtaining benefits such as sponsorships. One of those requirements is that the student-athlete must consult with the school before using the school’s branding in any advertisements or endorsements.

Henderson says had this new law been in place before. athletes like former Grambling star Shakyla Hill could have profited from becoming the first college basketball player to record two career quadruple-doubles…

Cut 7 (11) “…ways.”

Henderson says it will likely take some time before student-athlete endorsements become normalized, especially with no national policy in place.

Cut 8 (10) “…policy.”

Under the policy, compensation is not allowed to be provided in exchange for athletic performances or attendance at a specific college. Also, the school itself is not allowed to provide compensation outside of the usual scholarship.

LSU adopted its own set of N.I.L. policies that go into effect July 1st.

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LSU has officially hired former Arizona coach Jay Johnson to be the school’s next baseball coach.  Johnson led the Wildcats to a pair of college world series appearances in his six years at the school.  Editor of the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Lou Pavlovich believes the Tigers made a great hire.

Cut 9 (12) “…dignity.”

Under Johnson’s watch, Arizona led the country in runs scored this past season and Pavlovich expects Johnson’s teams will put up a lot of runs in Baton Rouge.

Cut 10 (11) “…expectations.”

While Pavlovich thinks LSU would put plenty of points on the board, he thinks Johnson’s biggest challenge will be dealing with Tiger fans’ lofty expectations.

Cut  11 (12) “…regularly.” 

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Governor Edwards vetoed a bill today that would allow a person 21-and-older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training. The action comes on the heels of a controversial veto that would ban transgender women from competing in female sports. LA Politics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford believes the veto issued today increases the possibility of a veto session next month.

Cut 12 (08) “…the same.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says with the anti-transgender bill receiving bipartisan support and the permitless constitutional carry legislation passing by a large margin, the governor is rolling the political dice.

Cut 13 (04) “…veto session.”

Both chambers must agree to convene for a veto session, which would be held from July 20th to the 24th. Alford says the House appears to be in favor of a veto session with the House Speaker publicly lobbying for one, while Senate President Page Cortez has not expressed his desire. He says if the Governor vetoes another bill, we might have the state’s first veto session…

Cut 14 (10) “…veto session.” 

Lawmakers will receive ballots in the mail during the first week of July to vote on holding a veto session.

2:30 LRN Newscast June 25

Governor Edwards vetoes a second high-profile bill from the legislative session, legislation allowing 21 and older to conceal carry without a permit. Brooke Thorington on what this means for the possibility of a veto session
Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

New LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson says coaching the Tigers is an opportunity of his lifetime. The California native is leaving the University of Arizona, where he led the Wildcats to the College World Series twice.

51-year-old FBI agent David Harris of Prairieville has been arrested on multiple sex charges involving juveniles. L-S-P Sergeant Scott Moreau says in February the US Justice Department and State Police received a complaint of alleged sexual wrongdoings by Harris that involved multiple victims in several parishes.
Cut 4 (10) “…as 2016.”
Harris was taken in custody in Ascension Parish.

Starting on July first, college athletes in Louisiana can begin to make money off of their name, image and likeness and will not face punishment from the NCAA. U-L System President Doctor Jim Henderson says had this new law been in place before, athletes like former Grambling star Shakyla Hill could have profited from becoming the first college basketball player to record two career quadruple-doubles…
cut 7 (11) “…constructive ways’

9:30 LRN Newscast June 25

State Police have arrested an FBI agent on multiple sex charges involving juveniles. Authorities say the incidents date back to 2016 and occurred in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, and Orleans parishes. 51-year-old David Harris of Prairieville was arrested in Ascension Parish.

The 60-year mystery of where Louisiana’s 13th governor is buried has been solved. Brooke Thorington talks to a historian who made the discovery
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has partnered with employers like Acadian Ambulance, Roy-O-Martin, and I-B-M to launch a “Back to Work Louisiana” campaign. L-W-C spokesperson Chris Fiore says there are thousands of good-paying jobs available and employers are eager to start a post-vaccine hiring spree.
Cut 11 (10) “…head.”
Visit Louisianaworks.net to see a list of job openings or visit one of 62 local offices.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will finally get inducted into the Hall on Saturday night during a big ceremony in Natchitoches. The eleven-member class has been waiting for over a year. Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland.
Cut 13 (09) “…home state.”
Former NFL star Charles Tillman, reality TV star Phil Robertson and Shreveport broadcaster Tim Brando highlight the class.

8:30 LRN Newscast June 25

Federally enhanced unemployment benefits are set to expire in just over a month and the Louisiana Workforce Commission wants to help unemployed workers get back to work before those benefits end…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU is expected to name Jay Johnson as its new baseball coach today. The 44-year-old from Oroville, California just led Arizona to the College World Series, his second trip to Omaha with the Wildcats in six seasons. His Arizona team this year led the nation in runs with 537.

The fall Jazz Fest lineup is in and Foo Fighters, Dead and Company, Stevie Nicks and Jimmy Buffet are the headliners. Jazz Fest Producer Quint Davis says hotel rooms are filling up…
Cut 7 (06) “…honestly”
Jazz Fest will run for six days between October 8th through the 17th.

The 2020 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class finally gets enshrined tomorrow after two previously scheduled induction ceremonies were postponed. The class features former Ragin Cajun and Chicago Bear cornerback Charles Tillman, outdoorsman Phil Robertson and former NBA player Kerry Kittles. Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland says the class also features 94-year-old Mackie Freeze. The former football coach at Monroe’s Richwood High School won four state titles in the 1960s and was also a standout pitcher at Grambling…
Cut 14 (12) “…high school football.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 25

Arizona head coach Jay Johnson is expected to be named the new head baseball coach at LSU today. The 44-year-old Johnson just led Arizona to a Pac-12 conference title and during his six seasons as the head coach of the Wildcats he took the school to the College World Series twice. Aaron Fitt of D-1 baseball dot-com says Johnson is a good hire, but one of his biggest challenges will be handling the expectations in Tiger Town…
cut 17 (15) “…the west”

The lineup has been announced for the first fall Jazz Fest at the New Orleans Fair Grounds from October 8th to the 17th. Dead and Company, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, and Demi Lovato are among the headliners. And Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says planning is underway to hold another musical festival during its normal spring dates…
cut 9 (10) “…catch up”
The Louisiana Workforce Commission is launching a statewide campaign to get people back to work. Spokesperson Chris Fiore says their statewide ad campaign is aimed at letting residents know that the L-W-C is not just for dispersing unemployment but helping individuals get a job…
cut 12 (07) “…one job”
Fiore says job seekers can get assistance at any of their 62 local offices and they are planning a big statewide job fair on August 4th.

The gravesite of Louisiana’s 13th governor, Joseph Walker, has been found in Alexandria after it went missing for 60 years. Walker died in 1856 and was buried in a family graveyard in Rapides Parish. But in 1864 the homesite burned to the ground and the land later changed hands and the cemetery destroyed. Historian Michael Wynne says it wasn’t until he found aerial photographs of Rapides Parish in 1955 that helped guide him to the gravesite.
Cut 5 (08) “…monument.”
Recent rains and a freshly plowed field unearthed buried artifacts that included carved marble from Walker’s tombstone.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is expected to name Arizona Coach Jay Johnson as the new head coach of the Fighting Tigers baseball program today. Johnson led Arizona to the College World Series twice in six seasons in Tuscon. He’s also been a head coach at Nevada and spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at San Diego. Aaron Fitt from D-1 baseball-dot-com says Johnson is known as a great hitting coach
Cut 16 (19) “…offensive mind.”
Johnson led Arizona to the College World Series this season as the Wildcats ranked third nationally in hits. His 2016 College World Series squad was fifth in the nation in hits and when he was at Nevada in 2015 that team led the nation in on-base percentage.

The 2020 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class finally gets enshrined tomorrow after two previously scheduled induction ceremonies were postponed because of COVID. The class features former Ragin Cajun and Chicago Bear cornerback Charles Tillman, outdoorsman Phil Robertson and New Orleans native and former NBA player Kerry Kittles. Hall of Fame chairman Doug Ireland says the class also features 94-year-old Mackie Freeze. The former football coach at Monroe’s Richwood High School won four state titles in the 1960s and was also a standout pitcher at Grambling…
Cut 14 (12) “…high school football.

WWL Radio in New Orleans is reporting that for fans entering the Superdome for games where there is 100-percent capacity, masks will be required. That’s according to a memo from ASM Global, the company that manages the Dome.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has launched the “Back to Work Louisiana” campaign, an effort aimed at putting people back to work as federally boosted unemployment benefits expire. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says the employment drive will culminate with a statewide in-person job fair on August 4th.
Cut 10 (09) “…eight ball.”
Fiore says job seekers can get assistance at any of the commission’s 62 local offices statewide or at l-a-works-dot-net.

LSU has filled its head coaching baseball vacancy as the school will announce Arizona coach Jay Johnson as the Tigers new baseball coach. D-1-baseball-dot-com’s Aaron Fitt says Johnson is known as an offensive-minded coach…
cut 16 (19) “…offensive mind
Johnson led Arizona to the College World Series this season.

The lineup is in for this year’s fall Jazz Fest. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Senator Bill Cassidy was among 10 bipartisan senators that have reached an agreement on a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Cassidy says the legislation could lead to new bridges in Louisiana.

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 24

LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau, says the search for a new baseball coach for the Tigers is down to three finalists. Arizona coach Jay Johnson, East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin and Notre Dame coach Link Jarrett. Guilbeau reports all three have been interviewed, but it’s unclear when Athletic Director Scott Woodward will announce a decision…
cut 11 (09) “…he wants to”
If Woodward wants to talk with Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, he’ll have to wait a couple more days. The Commodores avoided elimination with a six to five win over Stanford last night. Vandy scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth and the winning run scored on a wild pitch.

Tonight’s game is Texas versus Virginia, the winner gets Mississippi State tomorrow night. Vandy will face North Carolina State tomorrow afternoon.

The NFL combine has been held in Indianapolis since 1987, but next year might be the last year the combine is held in the Hoosier State. The NFL has reportedly informed teams they will accept bids from cities other than Indianapolis to host the annual scouting combine in 2023.

The NFL also announced it will allow teams to wear throwback-color helmets starting next year. In a memo, teams can pair the second helmet with alternate, throwback, or color rush uniforms.

In the NBA, tonight is Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Suns lead the best of seven series over the Clippers two games to none and Chris Paul will reportedly return to the floor tonight for Phoenix. The All-Star point guard missed the first two games of the series after testing positive for COVID.

Leon Thomas the Third, the Voice of the World Famed Tiger Marching Band has died from colon cancer at the age of 51. Thomas also served as the sideline reporter for the Grambling State Sports Radio Network.

2:30 LRN Newscast June 24

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says President Joe Biden supports a 1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that will result in new bridges for Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Cassidy has been working with Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and he says the legislation is great for Louisiana…
Cut 15 (08) “…progress”

Will state lawmakers return to Baton Rouge next month for an override veto session? House Speaker Clay Schexnayder would like to see the Legislature override the governor’s veto of a bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing on female sports teams. Governor Edwards says the legislation is in search of a problem that does not exist. Schexnayder disagrees…
cut 5 (07) “….with it then”
If a majority of either chamber elects not to have a veto session, it’s canceled.

The skyline of downtown Lafayette could change as a developer wants to build a 20-story tower near the federal courthouse. Brooke Thorington has more on the 140-million dollar project
Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In Vermilion Parish, sheriff deputies arrested a man from Gueydan who is accused of killing his father. The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s office says 29-year-old Anthony Caro was taken into custody last night. Deputies say Caro got into an altercation with his dad, Anthony Caro Junior, who died from a fatal gunshot.