4:45 LRN Sportscast

The number one-rated Q-B in the transfer portal, Sam Leavitt, has committed to LSU after a lengthy visit to Baton Rouge last week that was followed up by Lane Kiffin visiting him in Tennessee. Leavitt led Arizona State to a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth in 2024. Michelle Gardner with the Arizona Republic covered Leavitt at A-S-U…

Cut 12 (12) “…in the clutch.”

After adding Leavitt, LSU now boasts the No. 1 transfer portal class, according to 247sports.

LSU sophomore running back Caden Durham announced on his social media that he will be returning with the program to play with the Tigers in 2026, despite entering the transfer portal earlier this month. This season, Durham led the team in rushing with 505 yards and also had three touchdowns.

LSU junior center Braelin Moore and sophomore tight end Trey’Dez Green also announced on Sunday night that they will return to play for the Tigers in 2026.

The LSU women’s basketball team secured its first win against an AP top 2 team for the first time since 2008 yesterday after the Tigers defeated No. 2 Texas 70-65. Junior guard Mikaylah Williams was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points in 38 minutes. She said toughness is what the team has focused on since those back-to-back losses.

Cut 17 (18)  “…those big moments.”

LSU moved up to No. 6 in the new AP Poll this week.

D1Baseball.com released its preseason top-25 ahead of the 2026 season, and the LSU baseball team will start their title defense as the No.2 team in the nation. The Tigers were only behind UCLA. LSU was ranked as No. 1 in the Perfect Game Baseball Preseason poll last week.

In men’s basketball, Nicholls looks to remain undefeated in the Southland when they travel to Lake Charles tonight to face McNeese State. The Cowboys are on a three game winning streak and have not lost at home since 2023. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Helena Moreno was sworn in this morning as the 63rd mayor of the City of New Orleans. The one theme she repeated in her roughly 13-minute inaugural address was that she’s “all in” for New Orleans, despite the big challenges she faces…

Cut 4 (09) “…that they’re impossible.”

Moreno was sworn in by former Vice President Kamala Harris, who says Moreno is up for the challenge….

Cut 8 (12) “…of New Orleans”

A fatal shooting in Farmerville has claimed the life of a Union Parish High school football player. Investigators say 18-year-old Cynia Gray fatally shot Kayane Smith on Friday. Gray has been charged with second degree murder, and her bond has been set at one million dollars.

 

In Lafayette, a two-year-old gets a hold of a gun and kills a four-year-old boy. Lafayette Police Corporal Ashley Wood says the firearm was unsecured and loaded when the two-year-old got a hold of it.

Cut 10 (05) “…four-year-old child.”

The four-year-old boy, Blaze Rubin, died from his injuries. A 17-year-old relative is behind bars on two charges, including negligent homicide.

LSU has reportedly secured a commitment from Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, the number one ranked quarterback in this transfer portal class. LSU fans hope history repeats itself. Jayden Daniels also transferred from Arizona State to LSU and ended up winning the Heisman in 2023. Michelle Gardner with the Arizona Republic says Daniels was an elite runner and Leavitt is also dangerous running the football.

Cut 14 (07) “…first down.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans has a new mayor. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Moreno as mayor at the Saenger Theater this morning. Harris says she first crossed paths with Moreno many years ago…

Cut 6 (08) “….she is tough”

Harris added that Moreno will never stop fighting for the people of New Orleans.

 

Lafayette Police have arrested a teenager in connection with the fatal shooting of a four-year-old boy. Authorities say the victim, Blaze Rubin, was shot by a two-year-old who found an unsecured and loaded gun in the home. Lafayette Police Corporal Ashley Wood says says the gun belonged to a 17-year-old…

Cut 11 (09) “…by a juvenile”

It is unknown if the two year-old has been removed from the home.

Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt has committed to LSU. Leavitt threw for 46-hundred yards, 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 816 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns during his career at A-S-U. Michelle Gardner covered Leavitt at Arizona State for the Arizona Republic and says Leavitt takes his craft seriously…

Cut 13 (13) “….his power”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has found his QB 1. It’s Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, who in 2024 led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance. Leavitt is the number one quarterback in the portal after throwing for 46-hundred yards, 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 816 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during his career at A-S-U.

Kiffin also has his backup in place. Landen Clark from Elon has chosen the Tigers over Michigan. Clark was an FCS All-American this past season after throwing for 23 hundred yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Phoenix, who went 6- 6 in 2025.

The first player in the transfer portal to follow Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU is receiver Winston Watkins Junior. Watkins had a good freshman season for the Rebels, catching 26 passes for 373 yards and a TD.

Preseason practice begins today for LSU baseball. They are ranked second, behind UCLA, by D-1 baseball in its preseason poll.

The 12th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team took down 2nd ranked Texas 70 to 65 in front of a sold-out crowd at the PMAC yesterday afternoon. Bossier City native Mikayla Williams led the way with 20 points and former Lafayette Christian star Jada Richard (Ree-shard) had ten points. It was LSU’s second straight SEC win after losing their first two conference games. Richard says the two losses exposed flaws that the team has ironed out….

Cut 18 (15) “…a national championship”

It won’t get any easier for the Lady Tigers as they try to make it three in a row, their next opponent is fifth-ranked Oklahoma. They’ll have a whole week to prepare – the game is Sunday afternoon in Norman,

Big game in Lake Charles tonight as McNeese hosts Nicholls in matchup of the top two teams in the Southland.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The 12th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team had its biggest win of the season yesterday, handing second-ranked Texas its first loss of the year as the Lady Tigers downed the Longhorns 70-65. Coach Kim Mulkey said her team lacked toughness when they suffered back-to-back losses to open up SEC play. That was not the case on Sunday against U-T…

Cut 16 (06) “…couple of games ago”

Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams had 20 points to lead the way.

Lane Kiffin has signed a quarterback out of the transfer portal. His name is Landen Clark and he’s an FCS All-American from Elon College. Clark threw for 2,321 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Phoenix. Clark also rushed for 614 yards and had a school-record 11 touchdowns.

LSU also had a visit this past weekend from Husan Longstreet from USC. And former Arizona State star Sam Leavitt also remains a possibility.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is the only winless team in conference play in the SEC after falling to 0-3 on Saturday with an 84-73 loss to 11th ranked Vanderbilt. The Tigers host Kentucky on Wednesday and then Mizzou on Saturday.

ULM is also the only winless team in the Sun Belt, while the Cajuns are 2-and-4 in league play after losing by 20 points to Troy on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech snapped a three-game losing streak with a 70-68 win in overtime over Delaware.

Big game in the Southland tonight as Nicholls is at McNeese. The Colonels are 7-0 in league play while the Cowboys are 6-1.

In Major League Baseball…former LSU star Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. Bregman’s contract is five years for $175 million.

Saints receiver Chris Olave was voted second-team All-Pro after catching 100 passes. Olave ranked seventh in the NFL in receptions and eighth in receiving yards.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Lane Kiffin and LSU landed a top-100 player in the transfer portal early on Friday from sophomore defensive end Jordan Ross of Tennessee. The 6-5, 245-pounder out of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, is rated as the No. 14 edge rusher in the transfer portal. Coming out of high school, Ross was rated as the No. 1 edge rusher in the country and the No. 9 overall player in the Class of 2024. This season, Ross had 23 total tackles, 1-and-a-half sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the Volunteers.

LSU also received a commitment from Illinois redshirt junior transfer wide receiver Malik Elzy. Elzy is unranked in the transfer portal. The 6-2, 215-pounder out of Chicago caught 16 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns in his three seasons with the Fighting Illini. Coming out of high school, Elzy was rated as the No. 48 wide receiver in the country.

The Tigers also added McNeese redshirt freshman transfer wide receiver Josh Jackson. Jackson was rated as the No. 174 wide receiver in the portal. This season, Jackson caught 20 passes for 258 yards for the Cowboys.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to pick up their first SEC win of the season tomorrow in Nashville as the Tigers take on No. 11 Vanderbilt at noon. Senior guard DJ Thomas’ status is uncertain after he missed the last two games with a lower leg injury.

The NCAA has denied a sixth-year eligibility waiver requested by Ole Miss senior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Earlier this week, Chambliss had re-signed with the Rebels to remain in Oxford for the 2026 season if he was granted an extra year. Ole Miss can still appeal the decision. The Rebels will join LSU in the hunt for a starting quarterback in the transfer portal.

McNeese State basketball looks to win its third straight game on Saturday when the Cowboys host Southeastern at 4 p.m.

Nicholls men’s basketball looks to remain unbeaten in Southland play on Saturday as the Colonels are on the road to take on the University of New Orleans. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball looks to win its second straight game on Saturday as the Cajuns host Troy at noon.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Lane Kiffin and LSU landed a top-100 player in the transfer portal early on Friday morning from sophomore defensive end Jordan Ross of Tennessee. The 6-5, 245-pounder out of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, is rated as the No. 14 edge rusher in the transfer portal. Coming out of high school, Ross was rated as the No. 1 edge rusher in the country and the No. 9 overall player in the Class of 2024.

The transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU has yet to sign a quarterback and it is unclear who Q-B 1 will be in 2026. Washington sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Junior seemed like he could be the guy, but the talented signal caller announced yesterday he’s staying at Washington. The Tigers currently have no scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.

Last night, Miami defeated Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl 31-27 to advance to the national championship game on January 19th. Carson Beck scored the game-winning touchdown with a 3-yard scramble with just 18 seconds left on the clock. For the first time in the CFP era, a team will play for a national championship in their home stadium.

A couple of key transfer portal players are in Baton Rouge today for their visits to LSU. Elon redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark is among them. Clark is rated as the No. 74 quarterback in the portal. Illinois redshirt sophomore wide receiver Malik Elzy is also visiting the Tigers.

Last night, the twelfth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team won its first SEC game of the season, defeating Georgia in Athens by a score of 8-59. Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson led the team in scoring with 25 points in her return to her home state. Johnson reached 1,800 career points in the win. Her 1,816 points rank ninth in program history.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to pick up their first SEC win of the season tomorrow in Nashville as the Tigers take on No. 11 Vanderbilt at noon. Senior guard DJ Thomas’ status is uncertain after missing the last two games with a lower leg injury.

McNeese State basketball looks to win its third straight game tomorrow when the Cowboys host Southeastern at 4 p.m.

Nicholls men’s basketball looks to remain unbeaten in Southland play tomorrow as the Colonels are on the road to take on the University of New Orleans.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU has yet to sign a quarterback and it is unclear who Q-B 1 will be in 2026. Demond Williams Junior seemed like he could be the guy, but the talented signal caller announced yesterday he’s staying at Washington.

 

Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt spent two days on LSU’s campus earlier this week, but he’s still at Tennessee after leaving Baton Rouge for Knoxville on Wednesday. On3 sports is reporting Tennessee has a legitimate chance at landing Leavitt.

 

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon University, an FCS school in North Carolina. Clark put up good numbers as a freshman, 23-hundred yards passing, six-hundred rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns.

 

LSU also offered junior college quarterback Tre Guerra, who threw for 38-hundred yards, 29 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions at Tyler Junior College.

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LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis can stop doing double-duty. Weis has been Ole Miss’s play caller in the college football playoffs, but the Rebels’ run ended last night with a 31-27 loss to Miami. The Hurricanes will play the winner of tonight’s game between Indiana and Oregon for the national championship.

 

In basketball, the 12th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers looked more like themselves last night as they defeated Georgia 80-59. Flau’jae Johnson did not score in Sunday’s loss to Vanderbilt, but she scored 25 points last night and surpassed 18-hundred points for her career. LSU hosts second-ranked Texas on Sunday.

 

On the men’s side, the Ragin Cajuns outscored ULM 85 to 79. Joshua Lewis had 26 points to lead the way for U-L Lafayette.

 

Louisiana Tech’s nine game home winning streak came to an end with a 72-56 loss to Liberty.

LRN AM Newscall January 9

A quarterback that LSU was reportedly interested in signing has decided he will not transfer. So where do Lane Kiffin and company go from here? Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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King Cake season is underway in Louisiana, and Colleen Crain says a healthy option is once again available.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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I hope you took advantage of the great weather this week, because change is coming by the end of this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two organizations that advocate for children and families in Louisiana join forces. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, effective at the beginning of this year. LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the two organizations had worked closely together for years, including launching the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative in 2021.

Cut 4 (13) “…Geaux Far Louisiana work.”

Sonnier says the merger of the two policy organizations will help it continue the course they had been on for years.

Cut 5 (09) “…with successful children.”

Sonnier says the merger will be beneficial from a financial standpoint as well, with the organization being able to maximize the limited funds it has.

Cut 6 (08) “…State of Louisiana.”

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A high-profile quarterback that LSU reportedly had interest in signing has decided to stay at his current school. Demond Williams Jr. announced on Tuesday night that he was entering the transfer portal, but last night he announced he’s staying at Washington. Earlier this week, it seemed like former Arizona State Q-B Sam Leavitt was the Tigers top target. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU could see if Leavitt is still interested in the Tigers, but there is a health concern. 

Cut 7 (07) “…the summer, probably.”

Leavitt has been visiting Tennessee since Wednesday after spending a couple of days at LSU earlier this week.

Guilbeau says the transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU still has not signed a quarterback…

Cut 8 (09) “…at Ole Miss.”

If Kiffin fails to land Leavitt, he’s either going to have to dig deep into the portal or sign someone out of high school, since LSU does not have a single scholarship quarterback on the roster at this time. Guilbeau says Kiffin and company have proven that they can work magic with quarterbacks.

Cut 9 (09)  “…quite a quarterback.”

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon. Clark threw for 23-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 641 yards and 11 touchdowns for the FSC.

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It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit says Ochsner Health introduced the healthier King Cake about four years ago.

Cut 10 (08) “…the grocery stores.”

The Eat Fit King Cake is grain-free – it’s made with an almond flour and a coconut flour, giving it the texture of a bundt-style cake. It uses a plant-based sweetener and has no artificial colors. Page says it’s also guaranteed gluten-free.

Cut 11 (09) “…good on that.”

Page says the Eat Fit King Cake is available at more places than ever this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…one in Arkansas.”

They’re also available at all Ochsner cafes. To find a retailer near you, go to Eat Fit King Cake-dot-com.

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I hope you enjoyed the heavenly temperatures over the last few days, because potentially severe storms are on the way. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm risk starts today.

Cut 13 (06)  “…winds and tornadoes.”

All this, as a cold front comes through the state. Keim says tomorrow will be a transitional day before temperatures really start to plummet. 

Cut 14 (10) “…Friday and Saturday.”

Keim says as you make your way into work in the early part of next week, you’ll want to bring your jacket with you, as overnight lows will get down into the 30s.

Cut 15 (09) “…in those temperatures.”

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Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity (2x).”

 

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

 

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.” 

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Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”

 

Cut 20 (12) “…back to winning.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

On Thursday morning, LSU football picked up its 13th and 14th total transfer portal additions to the 2026 cycle. The first commitment of the day came from sophomore defensive lineman Malik Blocton of Auburn. Blocton was rated as the No. 11 defensive lineman in the portal. The second commitment of the day came from red shirt freshman defensive end Jaylen Brown of South Carolina. Brown is unranked in the portal and was coached by new LSU defensive line coach Sterling Lucas last season.

LSU senior safety Jardin Gilbert and freshman defensive tackle Walter Mathis Jr are entering the transfer portal. Mathis had re-signed with LSU just four days ago.

The 2026 LSU baseball team was ranked as the No. 1 team in the Perfect Game Baseball preseason poll. The Tigers are one of nine SEC teams in the Top-25.

The LSU women’s basketball team looks to win their first SEC game of the season tonight as the Tigers take on Georgia in Athens at 5:30 p.m. Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson is probable after rolling her ankle against Vanderbilt.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis spoke to the media following the team’s 6-and-11 season. New Orleans holds the eighth pick in this year’s draft. After drafting a talented 2025 rookie class, Loomis believes the front office will be able to take a different approach in the draft than they did last year.

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.”

Southern redshirt sophomore running back Trey Holly announced on his social media that he will not enter the transfer portal and will remain at Southern for 2026 to play for new head coach Marshall Faulk.

In men’s basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Liberty at 6 p.m. and UL-Lafayette hosts ULM at 7:30 p.m.

Ole Miss will look to continue its historic season tonight as the Rebels take on Miami in the Fiesta Bowl at 6:30 p.m.