1:30 LRN Newscast

A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal judge has sentenced former Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet to 27 months in prison for his role in a kickback scheme that led to his resignation in 2023. Before he was sentenced, an emotional Montoucet told the court that the crime he committed is the biggest regret of his life.

 

Voter turnout for Saturday’s U-S party primary run-offs was just 17-percent. More than 512-thousand people voted in Saturday’s election. Political consultant Greg Rigamer says historically Louisiana will have at least one-million people vote in the mid-term elections and he says it will be interesting to see if the state can achieve that number in November with all of the bickering between the two national parties…

Cut 7 (12) “..locally.”

Louisiana Tech fans are excited about the school’s move to the Sun Belt Conference, which officially happens tomorrow. Athletic Director Ryan Ivey said the school has already seen a 150-thousand-dollar increase in season ticket sales year-to-date, and Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker expects the city to feel a similar effect.

Cut 11 (10) “…with the move.”

Tech will join the Sun Belt West division with historic rivals ULM, UL Lafayette and Southern Miss.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Is it a forgone conclusion that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow will be elected as Louisiana’s next U.S. Senator? Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Industrial gas supplier Air Products has scrapped plans to build a four-point-five-billion-dollar clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. Air Products says the project, which was announced in October of 2021, would not be profitable. At the time of the announcement, Air Products said this would have the world’s largest low-carbon energy complex and it would produce blue ammonia for international buyers.

 

Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Jeff Landry. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says this law is intended to help lower auto insurance rates.

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in Saturday’s closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate race. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor…

Cut 6 (06) “….understand it”

Another factor is the closed party primaries, which is something Louisiana voters are not used to and that the election was held a weekend before the fourth of July holiday.

10:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump’s endorsement was a key factor to Congresswoman Julia Letlow winning the Senate Republican Party primary. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross expects the president to remain involved…

Cut 12 (14) “…launched”

Letlow is expected to win easily on November 3rd when she faces the Democratic nominee Jamie Davis, who lacks the name recognition and the financial resources that Letlow has. Letlow says she is not taking this election for granted…

Cut 19 (11) “….in the House of Representatives”

Letlow has served in the U-S House of Representatives since 2021.

 

Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to pay for a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand dollar stipend for school support workers can move forward now that a Baton Rouge judge has lifted his order that blocked the plan. Patrick Wall who covers education for the Advocate, says Landry’s plan is set to take effect tomorrow so the plaintiffs have a short time to react to Monday’s court ruling.

Cut 9 (07)  “…clock right now.”

Judge Chip Moore did not rule on whether Landry has the legal authority to reallocate public school education funding. The lawsuit was dismissed after it was determined the law firm the plaintiffs hired cannot be involved in litigation against the state when they also represent Louisiana in a separate case.

A plume of Saharan dust is over Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the dust will help produce another hot and dry day….

Cut 4 (10) “…back as usual.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Supreme Court agrees with a lower court’s decision that tossed out the first-degree murder conviction against a West Monroe man who spent 27 years on Death Row.  Jimmie Duncan was accused of sexually assaulting a 23-month-old child who died in a bathtub. Evidence submitted during the post-conviction process discredited the sexual abuse evidence and that the child likely died from a seizure while in the tub.

President Trump’s endorsement was a key factor to Congresswoman Julia Letlow winning the Senate Republican Party primary. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross expects the president to remain involved…

Cut 12 (14) “…launched”

 

Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to use 168-million dollars in public school funding to make sure teachers continue to receive a two-thousand-dollar stipend will likely happen now that a Baton Rouge judge has lifted a temporary injunction against the plan. Judge Chip Moore dissolved his own order after ruling that the plantiffs in the case cannot use the law firm they hired, because that same law firm represents the state in a separate case.

Landry’s plan results in a four-percent reduction in funding for local school systems that would otherwise be spent on operational costs….

Cut 8 (04) “…that money”

That’s Education reporter Patrick Wall, who is covering the story for the Advocate and Nola-dot-com.

Another hot and dry day and there’s Saharan dust in the air. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 5 (12) “…very warm”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3rd. Professor Pearson Cross teaches political science at ULM and doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 10 (11) “…on past performance.”

Dust from the Saharan desert has made its way to the Gulf South again and LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says it can cause breathing issues for some. But Keim says this summer’s Sharan dust cloud is not as bad as previous years…

Cut 6 (08) “…of an impact”

The NCAA’s new five-for-five age based eligibility model could leave some high school athletes behind. Kace Kieschnick explains…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Tyler Bosworth has signed a declaration to increase the Red Snapper bag limit to five fish per person per day, this Thursday through Sunday. Bosworth saysincreasing the Red Snapper limit to five fish is a way to thank the anglers as they enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

A toolsy high school outfielder from Orlando has decided to withdraw his name from the Major League Baseball draft and play college baseball at LSU. Nathaneal Davis is a left-handed hitter who is ranked 125th in ESPN’s draft rankings. Davis has excellent speed, with 78 stolen bases at Bishop Moore Catholic High in Florida.

SMU guard Jaron Pierre is the first New Orleans native to be drafted by the Pelicans. The St. Augustine alum was taken with the 58th overall pick after averaging over 17 points and four rebounds a game with the Mustangs. The 6-6 scorer met with the media yesterday said he can do it all.

Cut 16 (19) “…at showing it.”

Pierre shot 46-percent from the floor and 37-percent from three last season.

 

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will end the days of 24, 25 and 26-year-olds playing college athletics. The system does, however, still grant up to five seasons of eligibility. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says it could have a similar effect to COVID eligibility, oversaturating college sports with older athletes.

Cut 13 (08)  “…just weren’t there.”

While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result.

BY-U Sports is reporting that Alexandria native Darion Brown will be the new head men’s basketball coach at Nicholls. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023 and was on the staff of the team that won the 2022 Southland men’s basketball title. This past season as a head coach at Texarkana, Brown led the Eagles to a 20-11 record, 15-7 in conference play.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A Baton Rouge judge is allowing Governor Landry’s plan to fund a two-thousand-dollar teacher stipend to move forward. Judge Chip Moore lifted the temporary restraining order he set after disqualifying the law firm representing the plaintiffs. Patrick Wall, an education reporter for The Advocate, says the state argued that the law firm, Baker Donelson, could not be involved in a lawsuit against Louisiana while also representing the state in a separate case on the federal level.

Cut 7 (07) “…temporary restraining order.”

Landry’s plan reduces funding for public schools by 168-million dollars. Instead, the money will be used to give teachers a two-thousand-dollar stipend and support staff a one-thousand-dollar stipend.

There are 126 days between now and the general election on November 3rd. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the favorite to win the U-S Senate race, Republican Julia Letlow will spend this time making sure Republican voters are fully behind her…

Cut 11 (07) “…voted against her”

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model will put an end to red-shirting and once fully implemented prevent athletes 24 and older from competing in college athletics. But it will also give an athlete the ability to play five full seasons of college athletics. Malcolm Butler of the Lincoln Parish Journal says 2027 high school graduates will see fewer opportunities to play Division One college athletics…

Cut 15 (09) “…you anymore”

You can read more of Butler’s article at the Lincoln Parish Journal.

A plume of Saharan dust has made its way across the Atlantic and is now over Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the dust will help produce another hot and dry day….

Cut 4 (10) “…back as usual.”

 

LRN PM Newscall June 29

The closed party primaries are over; and thus, the race for the U.S. Senate moves to the general election phase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

The historic rain event on June 18th may be long gone in Avoyelles Parish, but the painstaking task of recovery is just getting underway. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says many people in the parish lost everything.

Cut 3 (08) “…just thrown away.”

Frank says more than 15-hundred households in the parish have reported flood damage. He says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVs at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab.

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad.”

Frank says they’re winding down the emergency supply distribution centers.

Cut 5 (10) “…and in Dupont.”

Those with damage are strongly encouraged to document all of it at damage.la.gov, in order to bolster the state’s quest to secure a federal disaster declaration.

________________________________________

Political analysts say the hard part is over for Julia Letlow. Nearly all of them say Letlow is all but certain to beat Jamie Davis and be elected to the U.S. Senate. But after beating John Fleming Saturday night, Letlow says she’s not taking anything for granted.

Cut 6 (11) “…House of Representatives.”

During the closed party primaries, Letlow and the other candidates only had to gear their messaging towards their fellow Republicans. Now that the race has shifted to the general election phase, Letlow says her strategy will remain consistent with her approach ever since she entered the race in January.

Cut 7 (10) “…earn their vote.”

Letlow was the last to enter the race, only doing so after President Trump endorsed her. That proved to be the game-changer, as her entry thinned the field, allowing her to easily beat Fleming and incumbent Bill Cassidy. Letlow says Trump reached out to her after she was projected to be the winner.

Cut 8 (07) “…the Senate side.”

_____________________________________________________________

Baton Rouge officials are partnering with the FBI to recover the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, believed to be in the Baton Rouge North Landfill. Police Chief T.J. Morse says it is an active solid waste landfill covering over 400 acres that receives around 16-hundred tons of waste each day.

Cut 9 (08)  “…half an acre.”

Officials searching will wear fully insulated suits due to the threat of hazardous gases. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the safety of the men and women conducting the search is a top priority.

Cut 10 (10) “…the search.” 

The physical search is expected to begin July 13 after extensive planning. Kimbell says the search will be conducted entirely by hand and compares the process to combing through the wreckage of 9/11. He says it could take several weeks.

Cut 11 (11) “…no more.”

Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. 51-year-old Maurice Parms was arrested and faces a first-degree murder charge. He has not provided any information on the location of the remains.

______________________________________________________

So, what is next for John Fleming following his loss to Julia Letlow in the U-S Senate Republican Primary runoff? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old Fleming will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year…

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

There were reports the Senate Republican Primary runoff could be a nailbiter, but Letlow won by 14-percentage points. Fleming’s campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF, the Letlow campaign spent a lot on advertising in the days leading up to the run-off election…

Cut 13 (09) “…never heard of.”

Despite the defeat, Fletcher says Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run…

Cut 14 (04) “..of people.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Investigators are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North landfill to recover the remains of a missing 15-year-old. Kace Kieschnick has more on this grim story….

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Forty-nine men and women began training to be a State Police Trooper today. Cadet Class 109 will train for 24 weeks in Baton Rouge in areas such as defensive tactics, advanced firearms and impaired driving detection.

 

The GOHSEP estimates 15-hundred households in Avoyelles Parish have reported flood damage in their home from the record rainfall event on June 18th. Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness director Joey Frank says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVS at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab…

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad”

Those with damage are strongly encouraged to document all of it at damage.la.gov, in order to bolster the state’s quest to secure a federal disaster declaration.

State Treasurer John Fleming did not advance to the general election in the Senate Republican Primary run-off, but his campaign strategist Roy Fletcher says Fleming ran a good campaign, nearly hitting a home run…

Cut 14 (04) “…of people”

Fleming lost by 14-percentage points to Julia Letlow, who will be on the November 3rd ballot along with Democratic Party Primary winner Jamie Davis.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry vetoed 78 projects from three budget bills, slashing more than 12-million dollars from the state’s budget in the process. Melinda Deslatte with the Public Affairs Research Council says many of these projects are added on to the budget with no public discussion…

Cut 26 (09) “…statewide holistic basis.”

LSU Health Shreveport Associate Professor Dr. Cory Coehoorn (KOO-horn) received a grant of over 200-thousand dollars to research heat-related illness in high school athletes, which he says is a major problem, especially in the south, and with the padding football players wear

Cut 5 (11) “…gear prevents that.”

Coehoorn says they want to develop a cost-effective wearable system that can provide real-time heat-risk alerts to coaches and trainers.

Republican and Democratic voters have nominated their candidates for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein is at Julia Letlow’s watch party with details.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Letlow’s supporters are excited about her big win on Saturday night…

Cut 16 (15) “…for her.”