9:30 LRN Newscast

In an effort to improve health care access in rural Louisiana, the state has launched the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund, which will use more than one billion dollars to expand the health care workforce and strengthen health care technology infrastructure. L-D-H Secretary Bruce Greenstein says they are calling on entrepreneurs, investors, and technology companies to get involved.

Cut 15 (13) “…rural health care.”

Greenstein says more than 100 companies have already expressed interest.

 

Cleco will provide the power for the new three-point-six billion dollar data center that’s being built near Alexandria. Spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says this is good news for all Cleco customers, because it will not result in rate increases and the investments Cleco will make in grid reliability will benefit all customers…

Cut 12 (10) “…broader customer base”

A new series of studies led by an LSU professor shows that the impact of infertility can follow those who experience it to their workplaces. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Debate will begin later on this morning in the Louisiana House on a new Congressional map that will have one majority minority district, instead of two, which the current map features. Republicans still have to agree on how the districts will be drawn, while Democrats say a lawsuit is likely to contest a map that favors Republicans.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Legislation that would bring much-needed rules and regulations to college athletics has been filed in the U-S Senate. The bipartisan bill authored by Texas Republican Ted Cruz and Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell has several key reforms, including a five-year eligibility clock, a one-time transfer allowed without having to sit out a year, the option to pool media rights to generate more TV revenue, and the Lane Kiffin rule. The Kiffin rule would prohibit a school from hiring a coach from another school or a coach leaving for another school before the season ends. The “Protect College Sports Act” will need 60 votes to pass the Senate.

The Saints have signed linebacker Peter Sirmon as OTAs are underway. Sirmon played 51 college football games between Cal and Washington. He has mostly spent the last two seasons on the Jets’ practice squad, appearing in just one game last season.

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The Ragin Cajuns get to practice today at Dudy Noble Field, the home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the host school of the Starkville Regional. U-L Lafayette is the three-seed in the Regional and Coach Matt Deggs believes his guys can be a Cinderella in the tournament, because they refuse to lose…

Cut 17 (18) “…long time”

U-L Lafayette hosts Cincinnati on Friday night.

LSU center fielder Derek Curiel told Matt Moscona of ESPN Baton Rouge Radio that he broke his ankle last November and only had three weeks to get ready for the regular season, which explains why he got off to a slow start. Curiel finished the season strong and is a draft-eligible sophomore, but he’s keeping the door open to possibly returning for his junior season. Curiel could be a first-round draft pick.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

At the SEC Spring Meetings, LSU Coach Lane Kiffin was asked about the highly anticipated return to Oxford when the Tigers play the Ole Miss Rebels on September 19th. …

Cut 8 (09) “…at it”

Kick-off times for the first three weeks of the college football season were announced today. LSU’s first three games will have the same kick-off time of 6:30, including the home game against Louisiana Tech on September 12th.

The Ragin Cajuns home games against Lamar and UAB in September will kick off at 7 PM. When the Cajuns visit USC on September 12th. That game will start at 10 PM central time and it will be televised by the Big 10 Network.

Also the ULM-UL Lafayette game on Thursday November 12th will kick off at 8 PM.

The Warhawks open the season against Mississippi State on September 5th and that game will kick off at 7:30 PM in Starkville.

 

The Pelicans new head coach Jamahl Mosley met with the local media yesterday for the first time. Mosley spent the last five seasons in Orlando, leading the Magic to the playoffs the last three seasons; this year, they nearly knocked off the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Detroit Pistons. Mosley says he likes what he sees in his new team.

Cut 14 (09) “…says a lot.”

Getting Zion Williamson to play like a superstar is one of Mosley’s top priorities.

Public money that universities pay directly to college athletes will be concealed from public view under legislation one vote away from final passage. The measure passed the Senate on a 22-13 vote. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell voiced her opposition to the legislation while questioning one of the co-sponsors of the bill Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil.

Cut 30 (12)  “…for state funding.”

Foil argues that this is not taxpayer dollars. It’s money generated by the athletic department through ticket sales and TV contracts.

3:30 LRN Newscast

In November, voters will get to weigh in on yet another constitutional amendment. This one would limit governors to two lifetime terms. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham says he’s confident that this one will pass, pointing to how the 1995 legislative term limit amendment passed with more than 75-percent of the vote. He says if voters approve this one, it will mark a new day in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (07) “…haunted us.”

Applied Digital Corporation plans to build a 3.6-billion-dollar A-I data center in the Rapides Parish town of Boyce. Public Service Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan says this is a huge day for Cenla.

Cut 13 (09)  “…we can win.”

The campus will support advanced A-I and cloud computing workloads. Pineville-based Cleco will provide the power to support it.

 

Governor Jeff Landry signed into law today legislation that provides an additional 50-million dollars for the fortified roof program. The Fortified Roof Program has been around since 2023 and since that time 4,900 homeowners have used the grant program to install fortified roofs. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says another eight thousand plus fortified roofs have been installed on homes that did not use the grant program.

Cut 11 (08) “…their property.”

Temple says another lottery registration opens Monday June 1st as they have enough money to supply grants of up to ten-thousand dollars to three-thousand households.

Landry says if you go to the Department of Insurance’s website you can learn more about the fortify roof program and how it can lower your insurance premium…

Cut 12 (10) “…fortified roof.”

LRN PM Newscall May 27

Voters will have a chance in November to decide whether two-term governors can still seek to reprise their roles after sitting out four years. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Governor Jeff Landry signs legislation that adds 50-million dollars to the Fortified Roof Program. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The ability for two-term governors to make another run for the state’s top job after sitting out four years is now in the hands of the voters. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s constitutional amendment limiting governors to two lifetime terms has passed both houses by the requisite two-thirds majority and will be on the November 3rd ballot. Bayham says prior history has shown that nothing good results when governors keep coming back time and time again.

Cut 3 (09) “…to federal prison.”

Even though constitutional amendments have fared poorly at the ballot box over the last two years, Bayham says he’s confident that this one will pass, pointing to how the 1995 legislative term limit amendment passed with more than 75-percent of the vote. He says if voters approve this one, it will mark a new day in Louisiana. 

Cut 4 (07) “…haunted us.”

Some Democrats expressed concern that Bayham was specifically targeting John Bel Edwards, who would otherwise be eligible to run for re-election next year – although this amendment would also apply to Republican Bobby Jindal. Edwards and Jindal are the only two living former Louisiana governors. Bayham says neither one expressed any concern to him about the amendment.

Cut 5 (07) “…or Governor Edwards.”

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At the SEC Spring Meetings, LSU Coach Lane Kiffin made his first public comments since adding former head coach Ed Orgeron to his coaching staff…

Cut 6 (08) “..of it.”

Kiffin also says quarterback Sam Leavitt’s rehab from a foot injury continues to go well. He’s running at 21 miles per hour.

But in Destin, Florida, reporters wanted to focus on Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU. Kiffin says he enjoyed his time with the Rebels, but LSU was an opportunity for him to do something new…

Cut 7 (11) “..new challenge”

Kiffin was asked his thoughts on his highly anticipated return to Oxford when the Tigers play the Ole Miss Rebels on September 19th. Lane did not take the bait…

Cut 8 (09) “…at it”

Kiffin coached at Tennessee for one season and when he returned there as the head coach of Ole Miss in 2021, objects were thrown at him, including a mustard bottle and a golf ball.

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Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill today that expands a program that provides grant dollars for homeowners to pay for a fortified roof on their home. Landry says this is important legislation because fortified roofs can limit storm damage…

Cut 9 (14)  “…the benefit.”

The measure signed into law by the governor expands the fortified roof program by additional 50-million dollars.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says they will be distributing more grants this summer and a lottery to receive a grant of up to ten-thousand dollars will begin next week…

Cut 10 (13) “…to homeowners.” 

The Fortified Roof Program has been around since 2023 and since that time 4,900 homeowners have used the grant program to install fortified roofs. Temple says another eight thousand plus fortified roofs have been installed on homes that did not use the grant program.

Cut 11 (08) “…their property.”

Landry says if you go to the Department of Insurance’s website you can learn more about the fortify roof program and how it can lower your insurance premium…

Cut 12 (10) “…fortified roof.” 

10:30 LRN Newscast

Nearing final legislative passage is a bill that would prevent the public from getting details on the revenue share contracts that universities have with their athletes. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly opposes the idea of creating a new public records exemption…

Cut 10 (09) “…be on education.”

Supporters of the legislation say the contracts between the athletes and schools should be concealed to the public, because it would create a competitive disadvantage for a school like LSU and it prevents an athlete from being harassed over how much money they are receiving. The measure heads back to the House for final legislative approval.

At the SEC Spring Meetings, LSU Coach Lane Kiffin was asked about the highly anticipated return to Oxford when the Tigers play the Ole Miss on September 19th. …

Cut 8 (09) “…at it”

 

The ability for two-term governors to make another run for the state’s top job after sitting out four years is now in the hands of the voters. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s constitutional amendment limiting governors to two lifetime terms has passed both houses by the requisite two-thirds majority and will be on the November 3rd ballot. Bayham says prior history has shown that nothing good results when governors keep coming back time and time again.

Cut 3 (09) “…to federal prison.”

Again this amendment will show up on the November third ballot.

New Pelicans Coach Jamahl Mosley has his work cut out for him as he takes over a franchise that missed the playoffs the last two seasons. Getting Zion Williamson to play a superstar level is a priority. Mosley says Zion has not scratched the surface of what he can do…

Cut 15 (07) “….being healthy”

Williamson played in 62 games last season, second highest number of his career.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry says after lawmakers approve the budget, which they are expected to do in the next week, he’ll look at it and see where they can find money to make sure teachers do not receive a pay cut. A two-thousand-dollar stipend they received back in 2023 is set to go away because Constitutional Amendment three failed on May 16th.

Legislative leaders are also forming a task force that will look at ways to provide teachers with a permanent pay raise. Landry says there should be money available to do this since, funding for public education has gone up, while public school enrollment has declined….

Cut 4 (15) “…students”

The Louisiana Senate approved a spending plan for the next fiscal year, it contains pay raises for judges, firefighters, and prison guards. The House still has to sign off on it.

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Public money that universities pay directly to college athletes will be concealed from public view under legislation one vote away from final passage. The measure passed the Senate on a 22-13 vote. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell voiced her opposition to the legislation while questioning one of the co-sponsors of the bill Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil.

Cut 9 (12)  “…for state funding.”

Foil argues that this is not taxpayer dollars. It’s money generated by the athletic department through ticket sales and TV contracts.

At the SEC Spring Meetings, LSU Coach Lane Kiffin made his first public comments since adding former head coach Ed Orgeron to his coaching staff…

Cut 6 (08) “…of it”

Kiffin added that Coach O will also be an asset in recruiting.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Lane Kiffin spoke for about ten minutes at SEC Media Days and explained why he added former head coach Ed Orgeron to his staff…

Cut 19 (18) “…about it”

Kiffin and Orgeron have worked previously together at Tennessee and U-S-C.

Kiffin was also asked about returning to Ole Miss for the game on September 19th. He says he’s more focused on getting ready for the season opener against Clemson. Kiffin also described his experience at LSU as awesome.

Former LSU pitcher Gage Jump made his major league debut last night, but it didn’t go well as the left-hander gave up four runs in five innings as the As lost the Mariners four to one.

 

New Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley talked a lot about playing great defense during his introductory press conference. Mosley says for New Orleans to be a consistent winner, the Pels will need to play better defense…

Cut 16 (12) “…high level”

A proposal to shield the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes has received approval from the Senate on a 22-13 vote. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says if other SEC schools know how much LSU is giving to a particular player, it could result in other universities offering that athlete more money to play at their school.

Cut 7 (09) “…are doing it.”

Opponents argue this is public money and the public should know who is getting what. The measure is one full House vote away from final passage.

LRN AM Newscall May 27

Governor Landry says there’s no logical reason that teachers should not get a permanent pay increase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prevent the public from seeing the financial contracts between college athletic departments and their athletes. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.” 

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A 3.6-billion-dollar AI data center will be built in Rapides Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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As Governor Landry announced that he and the legislature will find a way to give teachers another two-thousand-dollar stipend, he says there’s no logical reason not to find the money to permanently increase teacher pay in Louisiana. Landry says over the last four decades, public school enrollment has dropped by more than 100-thousand…

Cut 4 (15) “…public school students.”

…while at the same time, per-student spending has increased.

Cut 5 (15) “…dollars for students.”

Landry says wherever that additional money is going is not into the bank accounts of teachers, who have actually seen their inflation-adjusted pay go the other direction.

Cut 6 (11) “…it for inflation.”

Landry also announced the formation of a bipartisan MFP permanent pay raise task force.

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A proposal to shield the public from seeing the revenue share contracts between universities and their athletes has received approval from the Senate on a 22-13 vote. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says if other SEC schools know how much LSU is giving to a particular player, it could result in other universities offering that athlete more money to play at their schools.

Cut 7 (09) “…are doing it.”

Several senators spoke out against the legislation which LSU supports. Norco Senator Gregory Miller says the state is losing sight of its priorities with this legislation.

Cut 8 (16) “…trying to protect.”

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell also voiced her opposition to the legislation while questioning Foil.

Cut 9 (12)  “…for state funding.”

Foil argues the money going to athletes through a revenue share deal are funds generated by the athletic department through ticket sales and television contracts.

Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly opposes the idea of creating a new public records exemption to hide the dollar amounts students receive directly from universities.

Cut 10 (09) “…be on education.”

The measure heads back to the House for final legislative approval, because an amendment was added to the legislation that shields the current revenue share deals that universities have with their athletes.

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A 3.6-billion-dollar artificial intelligence factory is coming to Rapides Parish, as Applied Digital Corporation plans to build a massive A-I data center in the town of Boyce. The project will create more than one-thousand construction jobs, and the new campus will bring in 200 direct jobs, each paying about 90-thousand dollars a year. Governor Jeff Landry says the days of outmigration out of central Louisiana are over.

Cut 11 (13) “…you very much.”

Site development of the data center began in January, and initial operations are expected to begin in mid-2027. Louisiana Central President and CEO Chris Massingill says this project has the potential to be one of the most transformational in the history of Rapides Parish.

Cut 12 (10) “…get to work.”

Pineville-based Cleco will provide power to support Applied Digital’s data center. Public Service Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan says this is a huge day for Cenla.

Cut 13 (09)  “…we can win.”

The campus will support advanced A-I and cloud computing workloads.

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The Pelicans introduce their new man, as they officially welcome Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach. Mosley coached the Orlando Magic for the last five seasons, leading them to the playoffs in the last three seasons; and earlier this month, they nearly knocked off the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the Detroit Pistons. Mosley says he likes what he sees in his new team.

Cut 14 (09) “…says a lot.”

Mosley says he especially likes what he sees in Zion Williamson, who he says hasn’t scratched the surface of what he can do for the Pelicans and the NBA.

Cut 15 (07) “…being healthy.”

Mosley is known as a defensive minded coach. He says he preaches defense first because the best teams in the NBA are always among the best in the league on the defensive end of the floor…

Cut 16 (12) “…high level.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

A year after finishing with a losing record, U-L Lafayette is back in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last five years. The Cajuns secured their spot in a Regional by winning five games in six days, at two different ballparks, at the rain-soaked Sun Belt Tournament. Coach Matt Deggs says he’s been impressed with the determination of this team.

Cut 16 (13) “…that’s the expectation.”

U-L Lafayette is the three seed in the Starkville Regional and will play second-seeded Cincinnati Friday night.

Former LSU pitcher Gage Jump has received the call to the big leagues. Jump will get the start for the As tonight as they take on the Seattle Mariners. Jump has struck out 56 hitters in 38 innings in Triple-A.

Former McNeese star Will Dion is also headed to the Majors as he’s been called up By the Cleveland Guardians. Dion has been pitching out of the bullpen and has struck out 36 in 26 innings.

 

At the SEC Spring Meetings, Commissioner Greg Sankey said the league will not take a firm stance this week on expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams. Sankey says any position that the SEC takes on this issue, will be after school leaders and coaches receive all of the information…

Cut 7 (12) “…moving forward.”

New Pelicans Coach Jamahl Mosley met with the media today and was asked how he plans to use Zion Williamson’s skill set…

Cut 17 (16) “…healthy”