4:30 LRN Newscast

Jennings Police charge a 28-year-old woman with feticide after investigators say a drug overdose led to the death of her unborn child. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says they’ve never investigated a case like this…

Cut 13 (07) “…for this”

Semmes says Shandelynn Benoit was taken into custody at the same residence where the overdose occurred. She was 37 weeks pregnant when her unborn child was pronounced dead. Investigators say Benoit admitted to using fentanyl and heroin.

A California doctor has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a woman in St. Tammany Parish. According to court documents, Dr. Remy Coeytaux mailed a medication known as an abortion pill, to a woman who said she was forced to take them by her boyfriend. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Coeytaux is not providing healthcare, instead he’s dealing drugs…

Cut 10 (03) “…those doctors.”

Prosecutors in Louisiana are also involved in a similar case with a doctor out of New York.

 

Shreveport finalizes a deal with a company owned by entertainer 50 Cent to develop three entertainment venues in the city. 50 Cent is investing almost 125-million dollars, while the state is providing up to 50-million dollars in performance-based funding. Grant Nuckolls with Shreveport Film and Entertainment Economic Development says if 50 Cent does not keep up with his end of the bargain, the state’s funding will go away.

Cut 4 (09) “…clawback provisions too.”

The goal of the investment is to make northwest Louisiana a serious player in film and TV production, along with bringing in additional live events.

The search is on for a 26-year-old woman who escaped from the Iberia Parish courthouse just before was set to be sentenced for an aggravated battery charge. Jada Landry fled the area in a vehicle. That vehicle was found, but Landry remains on the run.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A California doctor has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly trafficking abortion pills into Louisiana. Doctor Remy Coeytaux has been charged in St. Tammany Parish with Criminal Abortion by Means of Abortion Inducing Drugs. Attorney General Liz Murrill says her office is seeking to extradite Doctor Coeytaux to Louisiana…

Cut 9 (06)  “…our state.”

Coeytaux is also facing a lawsuit from a Texas man who alleges he illegally provided his girlfriend with abortion pills. Coeytaux has not responded to the accusations made against him.

 

The NFIB says optimism among small business owners continues to rise and uncertainty has declined to its lowest level since June 2024. NFIB state director Leah Long says small business owners begin the year with a greater sense of optimism, but challenges remain…

Cut 7 (10) “…that in 2026”

 

Shreveport finalizes a deal with a company owned by entertainer 50 Cent to develop three entertainment venues in the city. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Authorities are looking for a 27-year-old New Iberia woman who fled the Iberia Parish courthouse on Monday as she was about to be sentenced on an aggravated battery charge. After leaving the courthouse, Jada Landry posted on Facebook…”They can have their handcuffs back, but not me. The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for information on her whereabouts.

LRN PM Newscall January 13

Shreveport finalizes a deal with a company owned by entertainer 50 Cent to develop three entertainment venues in the city. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A 28-year-old Jennings woman who lost her unborn child is facing criminal charges after investigators determine it was drug use that killed the child. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

A company owned by entertainer 50 Cent finalizes a deal to invest almost 125-million dollars to develop three entertainment venues in Shreveport. As part of his commitment, the state is providing up to 50-million dollars in performance-based funding for these three sites. Grant Nuckolls with Shreveport Film and Entertainment Economic Development says there are conditions attached to this funding.

Cut 3 (11) “…three through five.”

The project includes the renovation of the former Stageworks facility, the modernization of the former Millennium Studios and the construction of a dome-style venue. Nuckolls says if 50 Cent does not keep up with his end of the bargain, the state’s funding will go away.

Cut 4 (09) “…clawback provisions too.”

Nuckolls says one of the conditions of 50 Cent’s company, G-Unit Film and Television LLC, getting this money is that the work needs to be done in a timely manner.

Cut 5 (09) “…spent pretty quickly.”

____________________________________________

Small businesses open 2026 with optimism on the upswing. Leah Long is the Louisiana Director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Cut 6 (06) “…heading into 2026.”

While the decrease in uncertainty has increased optimism among small business owners, Long says there are lingering concerns that they would like to see addressed in the new year.

Cut 7 (10) “…that in 2026.”

Long says one issue that is becoming a bigger issue for small business owners – one that President Trump is actively trying to rein in – is swipe fees.

Cut 8 (06) “…their swipe fees.”

Long says for example, some restaurants in the Baton Rouge area pay around 80-thousand dollars a year in swipe fees.

____________________________________________

A California doctor has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly trafficking abortion pills into Louisiana. Doctor Remy Coeytaux has been charged in St. Tammany Parish with Criminal Abortion by Means of Abortion Inducing Drugs. Attorney General Liz Murrill says her office is seeking to extradite Doctor Coeytaux to Louisiana…

Cut 9 (06)  “…our state.”

Coeytaux is also facing a lawsuit from a Texas man who alleges he illegally provided his girlfriend with abortion pills. Coeytaux has not responded to the accusations made against him.

According to court documents filed last year, Dr. Coeytaux mailed mifepristone, one of two medications commonly referred to as an abortion pill, to a woman who said she was forced to take them by her boyfriend. Murrill says Coeytaux is not providing healthcare, instead he’s dealing drugs…

Cut 10 (03) “…those doctors.”

The woman who received the abortion pills claims it was her boyfriend who used her email address to order the drugs and she never had any contact with the California physician. Prosecutors in Louisiana are also involved in a similar case with a doctor out of New York.

__________________________________________________

A 28-year-old Jennings woman is facing criminal charges after cops in Jefferson Davis Parish determine her illegal drug use led to the death of her unborn child. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says Shandelynn Benoit has been charged with third-degree feticide….

Cut 11 (07) “…her pregnancy.”

Semmes says Benoit admitted to taking fentanyl and heroin to alleviate stomach pain….

Cut 12 (11) “…including death”

Semmes says his detectives have never investigated a case like this…

Cut 13 (07)  “…for this.”

Semmes says the person who supplied Benoit with the fentanyl has also been arrested.

2:30 LRN Newscast

A Jennings woman is facing third degree feticide charges after her unborn child died after she allegedly overdosed on fentanyl. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says Shandelynn Benoit admitted to taking fentanyl and heroin to alleviate stomach pain…

Cut 12 (11) “….including death”

Semmes says the man who supplied the fentanyl to Benoit has also been arrested.

A California doctor has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a woman in St. Tammany Parish. According to court documents, Dr. Remy Coeytaux mailed a medication known as an abortion pill, to a woman who said she was forced to take them by her boyfriend. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Coeytaux is not providing healthcare, instead he’s dealing drugs…

Cut 10 (03) “…those doctors.”

Prosecutors in Louisiana are also involved in a similar case with a doctor out of New York.

 

G-Unit Film and Television has finalized plans to invest more than 124 million dollars that will be used to develop three entertainment venues in Shreveport. They are the former Stageworks facility, modernizing the former Millenium Studios and the construction of the permanent G-Dome in downtown Shreveport. Louisiana is providing up to 50-million dollars in performance based funding, but Grant Nuckolls with Shreveport Film and Entertainment Economic Development says the work needs to be done in a timely manner…

Cut 5 (09) “…spent pretty quickly”

LED says these improvements will drive economic growth, tourism and help improve the region’s ability to support film and TV production.

The latest survey by the NFIB finds that small business optimism continues to climb as uncertainty has reached its lowest level since June of 2024. NFIB state director Leah Long says one issue becoming a bigger problem is swipe fees, the charges retailers have to pay to credit card companies when purchases are made with a credit or debit card….

Cut 8 (06) “…their swipe fees”

There is bipartisan legislation that’s trying to correct this issue. It’s called the Credit Card Competition Act, which has the support of President Trump.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A California doctor has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a woman in St. Tammany Parish. According to court documents, Dr. Remy Coeytaux mailed mifepristone, one of two medications commonly referred to as an abortion pill, to a woman who said she was forced to take them by her boyfriend. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Coeytaux is not providing healthcare, instead he’s dealing drugs…

Cut 10 (03) “…those doctors.”

Prosecutors in Louisiana are also involved in a similar case with doctor out of New York.

Louisiana and G-Unit Film and Television and the state of Louisiana have finalize an agreement that will result in a 124-million dollar multi-phase initiative to develop three entertainment industry, related venues in northwest Louisiana. It’s part of an effort in Shreveport to bring large-scale media and entertainment ventures to northwest Louisiana. The state is providing up to 50—million dollars in performance based funding, but the work needs to be done in a timely manner….

Cut 5 (08) “…pretty quickly”

That’s Grant Nuckolls with Shreveport Film and Entertainment Economic Development.

 

Small businesses open 2026 with optimism on the upswing. Leah Long is the Louisiana Director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Cut 6 (06) “…heading into 2026.”

While the decrease in uncertainty has increased optimism among small business owners, Long says there are lingering concerns that they would like to see addressed in the new year.

According to the latest data compiled by the Louisiana Department of Health, case rates for the flu are decreasing, but flu activity is still high. On WRKF radio in Baton Rouge, Dr. Julio Figueroa, with LSU Health New Orleans, says if you think you have the flu, it’s best to get tested right away, because the prescription drugs available to combat the flu are more effective when taken shortly after the onset of symptoms.

Cut 14 (09) “…day on average.”

He also says it’s not too late to get the flu shot.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Sam Leavitt, one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal according to multiple recruiting services, has signed with LSU. Leavitt has two more seasons of eligibility after throwing for 45-hundred yards, 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in two seasons at Arizona State. He also rushed for 749 yards and ten scores.

The Tigers leading rusher from 2025, Caden Durham, has taken his name out of the transfer portal, and will return to LSU for his junior season.  Durham has rushed for 12-hundred yards in his two seasons in Baton Rouge. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says good job by the LSU coaching staff to keep Durham a Tiger…

Cut 27 (11) “…Caden Durham”

And former LSU Tiger running back and Alexandria Senior High star, J-T Lindsey, is transferring to Ole Miss as he follows running backs coach Frank Wilson to Oxford.

 

An exciting night of hoops in the Southland Conference last night as UNO defeated Southeastern Louisiana 79 to 76. Coleton Benson hit a step back three-pointer with less than a second left to give the Privateers the victory.

Northwestern State defeated UTRGV 64 to 43 in Natchitoches. Izzy Miles made a free throw with one second left and that turned out to be the winning point. Micah Thomas led the way with 17 points, scoring 13 in the second half.

McNeese moved into first place in the Southland with a convincing 94 to 68 win over Nicholls. Six players scored in double figures for the Cowboys led by Larry Johnson who had 24 points and D-J Richards added 20. It’s the first loss in conference play for the Colonels, who will host Lamar on Saturday.

In the SWAC, Grambling lost its second straight game, falling to Florida A-and-M 91 to 84. Southern rallied to beat Bethune-Cookman 77 to 73. The Jags and the Tigers face each other on Saturday in Baton Rouge.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It is official. LSU has signed former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, despite a push from Tennessee to sign the 20-year-old dual-threat quarterback. If Leavitt has recovered from a Lisfranc foot surgery, he’ll be the starting quarterback in the season opener against Clemson.

The backup would be Landen Clark from Elon and LSU might not be done as Coach Lane Kiffin is reportedly interested in also signing Husan (Hoo-san) Longstreet, who just completed his freshman season at USC. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says if Kiffin gets all three, that would be impressive…

Cut 8 (05) “…is Sam Leavitt”

LSU’s leading rusher in 2025, Caden Durham, is returning for his junior season. Durham entered the transfer portal, but the new coaching staff has convinced him to stay at LSU.

LSU women’s basketball is up to number six in the latest A-P Top 25 poll, and Tigers baseball is ranked second behind UCLA by D-1 Baseball.

_______________________________________________________

In college basketball…McNeese built a big first-half lead and easily defeated Nicholls 94 to 68 in a battle for first place in the Southland last night. Larry Johnson had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and DJ Richards scored 20 points off the bench. The Cowboys and Colonels are now 7-and-1 in league play.

Northwestern State was down by five points with 30 seconds left but rallied to beat U-T-R-G-V 64-63. An Izzy Miles free throw with one second left was the winning point. Micah Thomas had 17 points, including a big three-pointer in that last-minute rally.

Coleton Benson hit a 25-foot three-pointer with three seconds left as UNO upended Southeastern Louisiana 79 to 76. Benson had a big night as he had 30 points.

Southern rallied to beat Bethune-Cookman 77 to 73, and Grambling lost to Florida A-and-M 91 to 84.

In the NBA….the Pelicans host the Denver Nuggets tonight.

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.