6:45 LRN Sportscast

The top edge rusher in the transfer portal has committed to LSU and it’s an expensive acquisition. Princewill Umanmielen (ooh-MAHN-me-ellen) had nine sacks for the Ole Miss Rebels last season.

Umanmielen signed a revenue-sharing agreement with Ole Miss to play for the Rebels in 2026, however, on Friday, he announced his intention to enter the portal and officially got in yesterday and quickly committed to LSU. Zack Nagy covers the Tigers for Sports Illustrated and says LSU will pay Umanmielen’s buyout…

Cut 17 (18) “….agreement Umanmeilen”

The buyout is a reported 500-thousand dollars and the pass rusher will reportedly receive one-million dollars in his revenue-sharing deal.

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Josh Brantley led Ruston to a state championship in football as a quarterback in 2023. He brought the Bearcats back to the state title game in 2024 and then spent last season at Tulane, but didn’t play. According to his Instagram account, Brantley is coming back home and has committed to La Tech.

Because of the approaching winter storm, U-L Lafayette and ULM have early games today. The Cajuns will face App State at 11 AM and the Warhawks will visit Marhsall also at 11 AM. After today’s game, ULM will travel to North Carolina to play App State tomorrow at 11 AM. The Cajuns game at Old Dominion on Saturday has been rescheduled for February 16th.

In women’s hoops, the sixth-ranked Lady Tigers look for their fourth straight win as they travel to Texas A&M tonight. The Lady Techsters are looking for their fifth straight win as they visit Missouri State. McNeese goes after their eighth straight victory as the Cowgirls are at Southeastern Louisiana.

The Pelicans lost to the Pistons 112 to 104 last night

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Ole Miss star junior transfer edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen (OOH-Mahn-me-ellen) has signed with LSU according to multiple sources. Umanmielen is the No. 1 edge rusher and No. 5 overall player in the transfer portal according to 2-4-7 sports. Umanmielen becomes the 40th addition to the Tigers’ 2026 transfer portal class. Lane Kiffin has now landed 13 top-150 players in the portal.

Kiffin has also been able to retain some of the best players off the 2025 team, like tight end Trey’Dez Green, running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry, and linebacker Whit Weeks. At the Baton Rouge Business Report’s Power Breakfast on Tuesday, Kiffin says bringing Weeks back for his senior season was a top priority, and Whit wanted to leave LSU on a high note.

Cut 19 (23) “…when I came here.”

The New Orleans Saints announced they will keep season ticket prices the same for the 2026 season today. The team has sold out every home game for the past 20 seasons. New Orleans is scheduled to host nine regular season games at the Caesars Superdome next season, pending NFL scheduling announcements regarding the International Game Series.

Due to a potential winter storm, Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team is rescheduling their game against Kennesaw State to Friday night at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs were originally scheduled to host the Owls on Saturday.

The Pelicans are back in New Orleans tonight as they host the Pistons at 7 p.m. Detroit has the best record in the Eastern Conference. Forward Zion Williamson is questionable with an illness and forward Herb Jones is questionable with a right ankle sprain. Detroit guards Cade Cunningham and Caris LeVert are both questionable with an illness.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball looks to steal another game on the road tomorrow night as the Cajuns take on Appalachian State at 5:30 p.m.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Forecasters believe the northern half of the state will be hit by a winter storm this weekend. The forecast calls for rain to turn to freezing rain Friday night or Saturday morning and significant accumulations of ice are likely across the I-20 corridor.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland and Security Emergency Preparedness is calling on Louisiana residents to get prepared now for the possibility of road closures and power outages…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

 

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting involving a passenger in a moving vehicle on US-71 South that apparently shot themself in the head. Spokesperson Tommy Carnline says the passenger was handling a firearm when they accidentally discharged it….

Cut 13 (09) “….toward the ground”

The identity of the victim has not been released. Investigators determined no foul play was involved.

New Orleans Police has arrested a suspected arsonist who lit up eight vehicles in the Bywater neighborhood early Monday morning. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno says they treated this case very seriously…

Cut 10 (09) “…of New Orleans”

Kyle Tomeson faces multiple counts of aggravated arson and simple arson. Fox 8 TV say Tomeson was apprehended while working his job as a bartender in the French Quarter.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A major winter storm is expected to hit the northern half of Louisiana this weekend. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says freezing rain and sleet and possibly a little bit of snow is expected…

Cut 5 (08) “….should clear out”

Freezing rain also a possibility in southwest Louisiana and It will be very cold across the state on Sunday and Monday.

New Orleans officials announced the arrest today of a 35-year-old man accused setting fire to eight vehicles in the Bywater community early Monday morning. Kyle Tomeson has been booked on four counts of aggravated arson and nine counts of simple arson. New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno feels bad for the victims, but she is thankful for one thing…

Cut 11 (07) “…situation”

 

LSU has added one of the top pass rushers in the SEC to its roster and it’s someone coach Lane Kiffin knows well.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Sad story out of northwest Louisiana as a sheriff’s deputy lost his life when he was hit by a train this morning. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Tim Jordan, a four-year veteran, was hit by a train while working a traffic assignment. Investigators believe Deputy Jordan may have misjudged the proximity of his vehicle in relation to the train track.

LRN PM Newscall January 21

With crippling weather bearing down on Louisiana, now is the time to start getting ready. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LSU has added one of the top pass rushers in the SEC to its roster and it’s someone coach Lane Kiffin knows well. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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We continue to keep an eye on the winter storm that’s bearing down on much of Louisiana late this week and this weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says by the end of the week, the roads will be unbearable for many.

Cut 3 (13) “…of southern Louisiana.”

Keim says in south Louisiana, that wintry mix will be mainly from Lake Charles to the Mississippi River. He says areas east of the Mississippi River appear to be clear of any hazardous conditions for the time being, but this is still something those people need to keep a close eye on.

Cut 4 (12) “…at cold rain.”

Keim says conditions when conditions start to deteriorate, they will not improve for the duration of the weekend.

Cut 5 (09) “…much clear out.”

A cold weather advisory is also in effect for southwest Louisiana from Saturday night to Sunday morning.

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With much of the state in the crosshairs of Mother Nature’s wrath, GOHSEP is urging you to start preparing now. Mike Steele with GOHSEP says now is the time to start putting together your emergency kit.

Cut 6 (10) “…significant power loss.”

Steele says when at the grocery store, stock up on foods that require neither refrigeration nor preparation.

Cut 7 (05) “…rule of thumb.”

Of course, when hunkering down at home, there’s a very good chance that you could lose power, possibly for days on end. Steele says those of you who have generators need to be smart when using them.

Cut 8 (12) “…cooled down properly.”

GOHSEP has all this information and more on its emergency preparedness website, get a game plan-dot-org.

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New Orleans officials announce the arrest of a 35-year-old man who allegedly set eight vehicles on fire in the Bywater neighborhood early Monday morning. Deputy Mayor of Public safety Michael Harrison says surveillance cameras caught Kyle Tomeson go on an arson spree…

Cut 9 (09)  “…from the area.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno says Tomeson was caught within 48 hours of the fires…

Cut 10 (09) “…of New Orleans.”

Tomeson has been booked on four counts of aggravated arson and nine counts of simple arson. Moreno says the burning of the vehicles has been unsettling for residents in the Bywater neighborhood. But the mayor is thankful for one thing…

Cut 11 (07) “…situation”

Officials are not sure of a motive. Aggravated arson could result in a prison sentence of six to 20 years. Simple arson could result in a sentence of up to 15 years. Fox-8 TV is reporting Tomeson was nabbed authorities while working his job as a bartender in the French Quarter.

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Investigators in Rapides Parish are calling it a tragic accident. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a shooting south of Lecompte early Monday morning and found two people inside a vehicle, one of whom had been shot.

Cut 12 (06) “…in the head.”

Carnline says investigators determined that there was no foul play involved. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s identity. Carnline says this underscores the importance of handling firearms with the greatest of care.

Cut 13 (09)  “…toward the ground.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

The northern half of the state is under a winter storm watch. Wintery precipitation is possible from Friday to Sunday. The National Weather Service says there is a high probability of significant accumulations of freezing rain and or sleet. Power outages are possible. Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says generator safety will be important…

Cut 8 (11) “…properly”

The winter weather will not spread across the entire state. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana will likely not see any wintery precipitation…

Cut 4 (11) “…cold rain”

 

The entire Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case of Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law, along with a nearly identical case out of Texas. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Investigators in Rapides Parish are calling it a tragic accident. Tommy Carnline with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a shooting south of Lecompte early Monday morning and found two people inside a vehicle, one of whom had been shot.

Cut 12 (06) “…in the head.”

Authorities have not released the identity of the person who was fatally shot.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

In a move that was expected to happen, the number one edge rusher in the transfer portal, Princewill Umanmielen  (OO-mAn-me-Ellen) has committed to LSU according to multiple reports. He’s six-five, 245 pounds and is coming off a big season at Ole Miss, where he recorded nine sacks and 45 tackles.

According to 247Sports, LSU has the number one transfer portal class in the country.  The class features three quarterbacks, four running backs, nine receivers, eight offensive linemen and now three edge rushers. Kiffin spoke at the Baton Rouge Business Report Power Breakfast and says  these players want to be part of the next great team at LSU.

Cut 18 (18)  “…this special thing.”

 

 

The defending national champion Florida Gators easily defeated the LSU Tigers 79 to 61 in Gainesville last night, despite the return of starting point guard Dedan Thomas. Thomas played for the first time since December 29th, because of a lower leg injury and had 2 points. The story of the game was what happened on the glass, as Florida outrebounded LSU 50 to 30.

The Pelicans will host Detroit tonight. The Pistons have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 31-10. New Orleans has the worst record in the West at 10-35. Zion Williamson is questionable with an illness and Herb Jones is questionable because of an ankle injury.

The Saints have signed safety Julian Blackmon to a one-year contract extension. Blackmon was signed during training camp, but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the season opener.  He’s now missed 28 games in his six-year career.

Louisiana Tech has announced the signing of offensive lineman Tye Hylton, a transfer from Florida State. Hylton never played for the Seminoles and has three years of eligibility remaining.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow is now a candidate for U-S Senate and she has the backing of President Trump. In her campaign announcement, Letlow says she has fought alongside Trump to put America first…

Cut 15 (11) “…drives up inflation”

Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy is not backing down, despite Letlow’s  entrance into the race…

Cut 14 (08) “…up with anybody”

During a zoom call with reporters, Cassidy touted his record pointing to legislation he helped passed or he authored that has been signed into law.

LSU’s transfer portal class got better today as Ole Miss edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen (OO-mAn-me-Ellen) has committed to LSU. Princewill had nine sacks this past season and was an All-SEC selection.

All 17 judges of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments over Louisiana’s law requiring public schools to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Governor Landry signed the law in 2024. He says the Ten Commandments are an important part of American history and, thus, belong in the classroom.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the hypocrisy.”

A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit previously ruled Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is plainly unconstitutional.

2026 is the “Year of Outdoors” in Louisiana. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s a year-long initiative to invite both residents and visitors to discover the natural beauty and recreational opportunities the state has to offer.

Cut 11 (09) “…flights into Louisiana.”

 

 

10:30 LRN Newscast

The full Fifth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals heard a lawsuit filed by a multifaith group of families that’s seeking to block a 2024 state law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every public classroom. The Reverend Jeff Sims of St. Tammany Parish says Louisiana’s law not only interferes with his religious freedom, but it tramples on it.

Cut 5 (10) “…its chosen religion.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill defended the law before the 17 judges. She said the Ten Commandments posters are specifically designed from a historical perspective and do not amount to indoctrinating students into a certain religion.

Cut 6 (08) “…is not it.”

The constitutionality of state’s Ten Commandments is expected to eventually go before the U-S Supreme Court.

 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow has officially entered the U.S. Senate race, as she’s seeking to win the seat currently occupied by fellow Republican Bill Cassidy. In her campaign announcement, Letlow says she wants to ensure a safe and strong nation for our children.

Cut 13 (08)  “…worth fighting for.”

Letlow has the backing of President Trump, but Cassidy says the campaign will not be about endorsements, it will be about accomplishments and the state’s Senior Senator believes he’s delivered more for Louisiana than any of his opponents.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched the “Year of Outdoors” Campaign as Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and his team will promote an entire array of outdoor opportunities. Nungesser says he’s invited travel writers to stay in a cabin along Lake Pontchartrain and ride a Mardi Gras float in Covington….

Cut 12 (12) “…on their sites”

9:30 LRN Newscast

It was a year ago today when south Louisiana was blanketed by a record snowfall. And the state is bracing for another winter storm this weekend that could impact the northern half of the state with ice starting on Friday. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin….

Cut 8 (08) “….of northern Louisiana”

Southwest Louisiana could also see some ice.

All 17 judges of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments over Louisiana’s law requiring public schools to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Governor Landry signed the law in 2024. He says the Ten Commandments are an important part of American history and, thus, belong in the classroom.

Cut 7 (08) “…of the hypocrisy.”

A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit previously ruled Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law is plainly unconstitutional.

 

Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow is now a candidate for U-S Senate and she has the backing of President Trump. In her campaign announcement, Letlow says she has fought alongside Trump to put America first…

Cut 15 (11) “…drives up inflation”

Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy says he welcomes the additional competition and is not bothered by Trump’s endorsement of Letlow. he believes voters will make their decision based on a candidate’s record of getting things accomplished. Cassidy says he’ll put his record up against anyone’s in the race.

Cut 16 (09) “…of the others.”

Cassidy says he’s secured billions of dollars for Louisiana to improve infrastructure, including high speed internet expansion and coastal restoration.