6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers have arrived in Omaha for the College World Series. Right-handed pitcher Chase Shores was a member of the 2023 national championship team and believes LSU can win it all again.

Cut 16 (11) “…national championship.”

The Tigers will play Arkansas on Saturday night in the opening round of the C-W-S.

The SEC has announced the TV windows for the 2025 football season. LSU has two games listed in the Early window, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. That means those two games will start at either 11 AM or noon. Alabama will be a night game, while Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A-and-M and Oklahoma will kick off in either the afternoon or night. Also, the game on September 20th will begin at 6:45.

Today is the final day of Saints minicamp, and the starting quarterback battle will continue into training camp. Tyler Shough (“shuck”) on how he’s handling the competition.

Cut 20 (18) “…coach’s perspective.”

In seven on seven drills yesterday, Shough went nine of 15, while Rattler went 10 of 16. Based on media reports, Rattler had the better day on Wednesday.

Ragin Cajuns football has agreed to a home and home series with Liberty. U-L Lafayette will travel to Lynchburg, Virginia in 2028 and Liberty will return the trip in 2032.

ULM has named Bossier City native Ford Pemberton has its new baseball coach. Pemberton was at Memphis last two seasons and served as the Tigers hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. He was previously the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The legislator who represents the Fort Johnson area is hailing the changing of the military base back to its original name, Fort Polk….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Trump also says he wants to phase out FEMA. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says FEMA needs serious reform and they are looking at ways to further empower local and state leaders who are in a better position to react faster when disaster strikes. Congressman Troy Carter agrees reform is needed but says dismantling FEMA is dumb, shortsighted and cruel.

 

Lawmakers have passed a bill expanding abortion restrictions by allowing lawsuits against out-of-state doctors and others who provide or facilitate abortion pills to Louisiana residents, even by mail. Louisiana Right to Life Policy Director Erica Inzina says the legislation responds to a case involving a New York doctor accused of sending such pills to a Louisiana minor.

Cut 10 (11) “…made that possible.”

Opponents of the legislation say it further limits women’s healthcare.

Churchill Downs is threatening to surrender its racing license at the New Orleans Fair Grounds if does not receive a subsidy from the state. Times-Picayune reporter Tyler Bridges …

Cut 14 (09) “…Churchill Downs”

Churchill Downs says it needs the money, because the Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that the Fairgrounds can not have historical horse racing slot machines, because voter approval is needed.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Day two of Saints mandatory minicamp took place today and many eyes are on the battle for starting quarterback. Spencer Rattler on how he thinks it’s going…

Cut 16 (13) “…been great”

Running back Alvin Kamara was asked for his observations of what he’s seeing from Rattler and Tyler Shough…

Cut 15 (16) “…we’ll see”

Tomorrow is the last day of minicamp and then the Saints will not be on the practice field again until late July.

 

LSU fans were on hand as the Tigers baseball team left for Omaha and the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein is at Alex Box Stadium.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Coach Jay Johnson on the teams that LSU will have to battle…

Cut 18 (18) “….what we do”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Another name change is likely for the state’s largest military base. In 2023, the army base in Leesville was changed to Fort Johnson, because the military installation was named after a Confederate General. President Trump says the military bases that recently had name changes will go back to their old names, but this time Fort Polk would be named after World War Two General James Polk. Louisiana Armed Services Alliance president Jim Tuck says going back to Fort Polk will be popular locally…

Cut 14 (17) “…the people”

The Louisiana Legislature has approved a bill that would require state departments like Health, Education, OMV and others to report to the state legislature how many undocumented immigrants are receiving state services. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says the legislation can make sure Louisiana residents receive state funded services over non-citizens.

Cut 8 (05) “…not actually citizens.”

 

The state’s film industry is hopeful a bill approved in the legislative session will lead to larger movie productions. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says Senate Bill 232 makes important changes to the state’s film incentive tax program, by eliminating a 20-million-dollar cap on production costs and a three-million-dollar cap per individual in payroll expenses. Waggenspack says this should help an industry that generates one-billion dollars for the state…

Cut 10 (12) “…local residents”

The LSU baseball team is in Omaha for the College World Series. Fans gathered at Alex Box Stadium to wish the team luck when they left…

Cut 4 (09) “…for Omaha”

The Tigers first game is Saturday night at 6 PM against Arkansas.

3:30 LRN Newscast

During a speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, President Donald Trump announced he will restore the names of several military bases including Fort Johnson in Vernon Parish. That means Fort Johnson would be named Fort Polk again. Jim Tuck, president of the Louisiana Armed Services Alliance, says most people in Vernon Parish will support changing the name back…

Cut 13 (11) “…Fort Polk”

The Leesville military base was originally named after a Confederate commander. In 2023, it was changed to Fort Johnson as it was named after a Black soldier who was a hero in World War one. This time Fort Polk would be named after a World War Two Army General.

This legislative session produced legislation that makes changes to the film tax incentive program. Film Louisiana President Jaason Waggenspack supports the changes. He believes they will help attract larger productions and talent…

Cut 11 (10) “….film industry”

 

The LSU baseball team has arrived in Omaha, the site of the College World Series. About 150 people were at Alex Box Stadium as the team’s buses headed for the airport. Two weekends ago, Little Rock pushed LSU to elimination and Coach Jay Johnson likes how his team has responded…

Cut 5 (17) “…ahead of us”

LSU opens play Saturday night against Arkansas.

Several parishes in northwest Louisiana are under a flood watch until tomorrow night. Rainfall of one to three inches is expected; some areas could see more than four inches. The National Weather Service says heavy rain may lead to flooding in low-lying areas, rivers/creeks and roads.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Fort Johnson in Vernon Parish could be named Fort Polk again based on comments made by President Trump who said his administration plans to restore the names of several military bases that were renamed during the Biden administration. Jim Tuck, the president of the Louisiana Armed Services Alliance, says it’s a change that the community welcomes.

Cut 12 (06) “…be changed back.”

The Congressional Naming Commission in 2023 named the state’s largest military base in honor of Sergeant William Henry Johnson, a Black soldier who was a World War One hero. The Leesville Army Base was previously named for Confederate General Leonidis Polk; it will now be named for World War Two General James Polk.

Louisiana lawmakers have approved legislation that gives state agencies the ability to track the immigration status of individuals using public services. State Senator Blake Miguez says the law would require annual reporting to the state legislature…

Cut 7 (12) “…in our state”

Lights, camera, action! The Louisiana film industry could see a comeback after the passage of SB 232. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State continues to predict 17 named storms and nine hurricanes in 2025. Researchers say warm sea surface temperatures is the main reason for the above-average season. It’s been a slow start to the season and the National Hurricane Center is not expecting any tropical activity over the next seven days.

1:30 LRN Newscast

LSU fans send the baseball team off to Omaha for the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein is at Alex Box Stadium.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The future of horse racing at the historic Fairgrounds Racetrack in New Orleans is in jeopardy because the state legislature is not willing to provide a 20-million-dollar subsidy to the track’s owner. Churchill Downs says they need state assistance or they will shut down operations, because Louisiana’s Supreme Court has told the track they can no longer operate their historical horse racing slot machines, because it requires voter approval.

 

The Louisiana Legislature has passed Senate Bill 100, requiring state agencies to track the immigration status of individuals receiving public services. New Iberia Republican Blake Miguez says his legislation mandates reporting by agencies such as the Department of Education, Corrections, and DCFS…

Cut 6 (11) “…taxpayer dollars.”

Miguez says the legislation can make sure Louisiana residents are prioritized for state funded services over non-citizens.

The state’s film industry is hopeful a bill approved in the legislative session will lead to larger movie productions. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says Senate Bill 232 makes important changes to the state’s film incentive tax program, by eliminating a 20-million-dollar cap on production costs and a three-million-dollar cap per individual in payroll expenses. Waggenspack says this should help an industry that generates one-billion dollars for the state…

Cut 10 (12) “…local residents”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s film industry could see a revival following the passage of Senate Bill 232, which updates the state’s film incentive program. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says the new law removes outdated caps, including a $20 million limit on production costs and a $3 million per-person payroll cap, aiming to make the state more competitive with international filming locations.

Cut 9 (12)  “…talk to LED.”

Waggenspack says the reforms could attract larger productions and talent.

The LSU baseball team is on its way to Omaha for the College World Series. Hundreds of fans gathered at Alex Box Stadium to wish the team luck…

Cut 4 (09) “…for Omaha”

LSU is seeking its eighth national championship. The Tigers first game is Saturday night at 6 PM.

Small business optimism was up in May, according to the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

A bill allowing pharmacies to sell ivermectin without a prescription is on its way to Gov. Jeff Landry for his signature.  Though approved by the FDA to treat certain parasitic conditions, ivermectin is not authorized for COVID-19 treatment, and experts warn that misuse can lead to severe health issues. But the bill’s sponsor Senator Mike Fesi says he personally used the drug for COVID-19 treatment successfully.

Cut 5 (09) “…got better quickly.”

Small businesses are optimistic, yet cautious. That’s the big takeaway of the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which rose slightly last month. NFIB State Director Leah Long says labor and inflation remain pressing issues.  In May, 34-percent of owners reported unfilled job openings, and 86-percent of those hiring said qualified applicants were scarce.

Cut 8 (09) “…is super important.”

 

LSU has had a secret weapon in its run to Omaha and the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There might not be a 2025-26 racing season at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, as the owner of the track, Churchhill Downs, has informed the state racing commission of its plans to relinquish its licenses because the state will not provide any subsidy, after the supreme court ruled the track can no longer operate a slot machine called Historic Horse Racing.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 11

The LSU baseball team leaves for Omaha this morning, where they’ll play Arkansas on Saturday night in the opening round of the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says fine-tuning their mental preparation is the biggest priority for the players at this moment…

Cut 16 (16) “…in Omaha.”

The Razorbacks are expected to start left-hander pitcher Zach Root. Former LSU star Ben McDonald says the Tigers have struggled against southpaws….

Cut 27 (13) “…someways”

First pitch is at 6 PM.

__________________________________________________________

Day one of Saints minicamp is in the books. Head Coach Kellen Moore says he’s impressed by the play of the leading candidates to be the next starting quarterback — Tyler Shough (“shuck”) and Spencer Rattler.

Cut 19 (16) “…ask for them.”

D-1 Baseball is reporting Memphis assistant Ford Pemberton will likely be the new head coach at ULM.  Belhaven head coach Andrew Gipson will reportedly be the new head coach at UNO. And LSU assistant and recruiting coordinator, Josh Jordan, has emerged as the top candidate to be the new head coach at Duke.

There might not be a 2025-26 racing season at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, as the owner of the track, Churchhill Downs, has informed the state racing commission it plans to relinquish its licenses because the state will not provide any subsidy, after the supreme court ruled the track can no longer operate a slot machine called Historic Horse Racing.