10:30 LRN Newscast

Debate on a Senate-approved congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one is underway in the House Governmental Affairs committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats do not have enough votes to stop the so-called 5-1 map from passing.

Cut 13 (07)  “…favor of Republicans.”

Current Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to lose his seat if this new map becomes law.

Ed Orgeron is back coaching at LSU again! Head coach Lane Kiffin has added the former Tigers head coach to his staff as the special assistant to recruiting and defense. WWL Radio Sports Talk show host and longtime friend of Orgeron, Mike Detillier, says Coach O has been wanting to return to LSU for several months…

Cut 6 (11) “….for him”

Orgeron led LSU to a 2019 national championship, but was fired two seasons later in 2021.

 

The general election in Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race is going to be a Republican blowout, right? One prominent Democratic strategist says, not so fast. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

NOAA is predicting a below normal 2026 hurricane season. Eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes. NOAA has a 70-percent confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms. An El Nino developing is expected to develop and El Nino conditions tend to support less tropical storms and hurricanes.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The House Governmental Affairs Committee is meeting to discuss the Senate Approved Congressional map that eliminates one of the two majority black districts, which would give Republicans the ability to represent five of the six Congressional districts. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects emotional testimony and possible outbursts that would result in the meeting being paused until emotions subside.

Cut 15 (11) “…what it is.”

Pinsonat expects the 5-1 Congressional map to be approved by the House next week.

A Republican is expected to win the U-S Senate race in November, but New Orleans based Democratic political strategist James Carville expects the race to be closer than many people would think, because Black voters are energized…

Cut  7 (10) “…it was 25”

A House approved constitutional amendment that would prohibit a governor from serving more than two elected terms is moving closer to final legislative passage as it has received approval from the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill’s author, Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham, likes new leaders and fresh ideas occupying the governor’s mansion and that would be hard to accomplish he says if former two-term governors are able to run again after sitting on the sidelines after four years…

Cut 6 (11) “…able to run”

Some Democrats look at this proposal to keep Democrat John Bel Edwards from running for governor again.

Senator Bill Cassidy has a little more than 200 days left in the U-S Senate. Cassidy says he would like to pass a bill aimed at holding China accountable for polluting the U-S…

Cut 12 (13) “….off all worlds”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s over, the worst LSU baseball season since the arrival of Skip Bertman ended last night with a three-to-one loss in the SEC Tournament to Auburn. The Tigers finish 30-28 and 10-22 against SEC opponents. Last night’s game was likely the last for LSU stars Derek Curiel, Steven Milam and injured Jake Brown.

There was speculation that Lane Kiffin might add former national champion head coach Ed Orgeron to his staff when Kiffin was hired at LSU. That speculation became a reality last night when LSU announced that Coach O is returning to LSU and will serve as a special assistant to recruiting and defense. The 64-year-old hasn’t coached since he was fired by LSU in 2021.

Coach Will Wade continues to bring in foreign players. The latest commitment comes from seven-foot Croatian Michael Ruzic. Ruzic brings size and skill to LSU’s front court, according to CBS Sports Jon Rothstein. The 19-year-old has been playing professionally since 2023.

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The Ragin Cajuns pulled off a huge win in the Sun Belt Tournament yesterday as they outscored 24th-ranked Coastal Carolina 12 to 11 to advance into the winner’s bracket, where they’ll play Texas State at 4 PM. It’s the first time U-L Lafayette scored 10 or more runs in consecutive Sun Belt Tournament games since 1998.

Disappointing loss for Louisiana Tech in the Conference USA Tournament as the Bulldogs lost to Sam Houston 14 to 13.

Southern won its 16th in a row, a walk-off win over Jackson State four to three in ten innings. Senior first baseman Jaylon Lucky with the game-winning hit.

Alabama State blanked Grambling 10 to 0 to send the Tigers to the losers bracket.

Tonight in Beaumont, McNeese and Lamar open their best of three Southland Championship series.  Cowboys Coach Justin Hill…

Cut 16 (06) “…to score points.”

First pitch is at 6 PM.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is taking heat for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. Former St. John’s star R.J. Luis (“Louis”) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau doesn’t blame Wade for trying to stretch the rules.

Cut 7 (10) “…mad at Wade?”

Luis never played in an NBA or G-League regular season game.

 

Congressman Cleo Fields is joining the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP in urging Black athletes to boycott states which are redistricting Blacks out of Congress. Fields says it makes no sense for Black athletes to represent states that want to treat them as second-class citizens off the field.

Cut 10 (10) “…Tuesday through Friday.”

 

LSU has struggled on the mound this season, but got good pitching performances from three pitchers in a six to two win over Oklahoma to advance to the second round of the SEC Tournament. Grant Fontenot, Gavin Guidry and Deven Sheerin held O-U to six hits and struck out 13 Sooner hitters. On offense, Derek Curiel led the way with three hits, but after the game wanted to talk about the Tigers pitching…

Cut 26 (18) “…go out there”

LSU and sixth ranked Auburn will likely start after 8 PM tonight.

Not much pitching in the Conference USA Tournament game between La Tech and Sam Houston. The Bulldogs had 20 hits but gave up six runs in the eighth inning to lose 14 to 13. Tech’s next game is Friday against Liberty.

 

They are in a weather delay in the Sun Bel Tourney with the Cajuns leading Coastal Carolina 10 to 7 in the seventh.

LRN PM Newscall May 20

Governor Jeff Landry has been in Greenland this week to make as many friends as possible, according to what he told a Danish media outlet. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Congressman Cleo Fields is urging Black athletes to avoid LSU and other SEC schools. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry had a spirited exchange with reporters in Greenland, where he’s visiting as part of his job as President Trump’s special envoy to the island nation. The President wants a closer relationship with the autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes and to have access to the island’s minerals. Landry says it’s a good thing that the U.S. has an interest in Greenland.

Cut 3 (13) “…ask themselves.”

Leaders of Greenland have been vocal in their opposition to a possible take over of their country by the United States.

The governor has been in Greenland since Sunday and told a Danish media outlet that the President told him to go to Greenland and make as many friends as possible.

Landry attended the Future Greenland trade fair in Nuuk that included a seminar on understanding the United States. Landry was asked about coming to Greenland without an invitation.

Cut 4 (11) “…been great.”

Landry says he had a meeting with Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and said the meeting went well; and the two discussed the United States’ interest with the Arctic nation.

Cut 5 (06) “…ignoring Greenland.”

Nielsen told a Danish TV station that his courtesy meeting with Landry took place with mutual respect and in a positive atmosphere. But he made it known that the Greenlandic people are not for sale and self-determination is non-negotiable.

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LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is facing criticism for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. Former St. John’s star and Big East Player of the Year R.J. Luis (“Louis”) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says there’s a good chance the NCAA will say Luis is ineligible, but LSU can challenge that ruling in court.

Cut 6 (10) “…not played.”

NCAA President Charlie Baker has previously said the NCAA will not grant eligibility to any athlete who has signed an NBA contract, including a two-way contract.

National college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman said on his “Field of 68” podcast that Wade is making a mockery out of college basketball. Goodman also said in a post on X that one Top 20 college basketball coach said Wade is screwing it up for everyone. Guilbeau doesn’t blame Wade for trying to stretch the rules.

Cut 7 (10) “…mad at Wade?”

Wade is putting together a roster of mostly older players, and some of them have played professionally in Europe, which is currently allowed under NCAA rules. What makes the Luis situation different is that he signed to play professional basketball in the United States after leaving St. John’s following his junior season, but Guilbeau doesn’t blame Wade for trying.

Cut 8 (05) “..the rules.”

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Congressman Cleo Fields is joining the rest of the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP in urging athletes to avoid playing for schools in states which are diluting the power of Black voters through redistricting. Fields, whose own district is on the chopping block in the Louisiana legislature, says Black athletes being recruited by SEC schools, including LSU, need to think twice about attending those schools.

Cut 9 (14)  “…very good question.”

Fields says it makes no sense for Black athletes to represent states that want to treat them as second-class citizens off the field.

Cut 10 (10) “…Tuesday through Friday.”

Fields says with the Supreme Court watering down the 1965 Voting Rights Act, we’re perilously close to going right back to an ugly time in American history, where Southern states went to great lengths to deny Blacks the right to vote.

Cut 11 (09) “…made billions for.”

The Congressional Black Caucus has also dropped its support of the SCORE Act, which is legislation that supporters say would bring much needed reforms to college athletics. That measure is now considered dead on the House side. 

3:30 LRN Newscast

Debate on a Congressional map that reduces the number of majority Black districts from two to one begins in the House tomorrow morning as the Governmental Affairs committee discusses the Senate-approved map. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats do not have enough votes to stop the so-called 5-1 map from passing…

Cut 13 (07)  “…Republicans.”

Current Democratic Congressman Cleo Fields is expected to lose his seat if this new map becomes law.

Debate has broken out in the world of college basketball as LSU coach Will Wade has reportedly signed a player that previously signed a contract with an NBA team and appeared in three preseason games for the Celtics last year. Former Big East player of the Year R-J Luis never played in a real professional game and has one more year of college eligibility left. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says with the NCAA having trouble enforcing rules, he doesn’t blame Wade for trying…

Cut 8 (05) l….THE RULES”

 

Congressman Cleo Fields is urging Black athletes to avoid LSU and other SEC schools. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two students from Lincoln Parish have been recognized as students of the year by the Louisiana Department of Education. Melissa An Le of Ruston High School has been named the high school student of the year. Kaejha Mary-Anne Christine Stewart of A-E Phillips Laboratory School is the middle school student of the year.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has been in Greenland since Sunday as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland. The president seeks a closer relationship with Greenland because of the minerals on the island nation and for national security. Landry says he met with Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and said it went well and the two discussed the United States’ interest with the Arctic nation…

Cut 5 (06) “…ignoring Greenland.”

The Congressional Black Caucus believes Southern States are ignoring the Voting Rights Act by changing Congressional maps to reduce Black voting power. That’s why they are asking black athletes and donors to boycott universities like LSU, where redistricting is taking place. Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields….

Cut 9 (14) “…good question”

 

With his days in Washington numbered, the proverbial shackles are off Bill Cassidy, and he has seemed to have found a new sense of freedom. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In the Senate Democratic primary, Nick Albares will not contest Saturday’s election results, which means Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis will face off in a June 27th run-off. Albares finished third on Saturday, 284 votes behind Crockett, who finished second.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is facing criticism for reportedly signing a player who previously signed an NBA contract. Former St. John’s star and Big East Player of the Year R-J Luis (Louis) signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz after going undrafted. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says there’s a good chance the NCAA will say Luis is ineligible, but LSU can challenge that ruling in court…

Cut 6 (10) “…or not.”

NCAA Charlie Baker has previously said the NCAA will not grant eligibility to any athlete who has signed an NBA contract, including a two-way contract. National college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman said on his “Field of 68” podcast that Wade is making a mockery of college basketball.

 

The LSU baseball team gets to play one more game as the Tigers defeated Oklahoma six to two last night. William Schmidt was the scheduled starting pitcher for LSU, but he did not pitch, because of back stiffness. Grant Fontenot got the start and Gavin Guidry and Deven Sheerin came out of the bullpen as the three pitchers held the Sooners to just six hits. It might have been Guidry’s last game as an LSU pitcher…

Cut 20 (18) “anyways”

Tonight could be LSU’s last game of the season as the Tigers host Sixth ranked Auburn in a game that will likely start after 8 PM.

The Pelicans announce they are playing two games overseas in the regular season next year. New Orleans will face San Antonio on January 14th in Paris and will also play the Spurs in Manchester, England on January 17th.

9:30 LRN Newscast

An effort to recall Governor Landry is underway, and Republicans are doing what they can to thwart it. The recall petition was filed after Landry halted the U.S. House elections after the U-S Supreme Court ruled the current Congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Desiree Morrison is one of the leaders behind the recall effort, and we spoke with her at a location where signatures are being collected….

Cut 13 (07)  “…more to come.”

The Louisiana Republican Party has its own campaign touting Landry’s accomplishments. Cory Dennis is with the Louisiana GOP…

Cut 16 (09) “…country.”

Dennis says crime is also down, and auto insurance rates have also declined for many policyholders.

 

The LSU baseball team kept its season alive last night with a six to two win over Oklahoma. The Tigers will play Auburn tonight in the SEC Tournament. The Ragin Cajuns will face Coastal Carolina this afternoon after run-ruling Marshall yesterday in the Sun Belt Tournament.

Meanwhile, LSU System president Doctor Wade Rousse wants to see Congress or the NCAA enact rules and regulations that will slow down player movement from one school to another…

Cut 11 (08) “…sit a year”

LSU coach Will Wade is making waves in college basketball again. Wade has received a commitment from a player who signed a contract to play for the Utah Jazz and then was traded to the Boston Celtics. Former St. John star R-J Luis never played in a professional game, and it appears LSU will attempt to see if he has one more year of eligibility.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team’s season is still alive as the Tigers defeated Oklahoma six to two in the opening round of the SEC Tournament. William Schmidt did not start on the mound because of back stiffness, but Grant Fontenot, Gavin Guidry, and Deven Sheerin combined to limit the Sooners to six hits, and they struck out 13. LSU faces sixth ranked Auburn tonight.

 

LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade continues to stock his roster with professional players. Italian pro Saliou Niang (sah-LYOO NYANG rhymes with sang) has reportedly committed to the Tigers. The 22-year-old Niang is a six-foot-six forward who averaged nine points this season.

 

Wade has also signed former Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis, who starred at St. John’s, averaging 17 points and seven rebounds a game during the 2024-25 season. He signed a contract with the Boston Celtics last year. Luis did not play in a professional game, but may need a judge to rule him eligible to play at LSU.

 

The Cajuns took care of business in the opening round of the Sun Belt Tournament by run-ruling Marshall 11 to 1 yesterday. U-L Lafayette tied a season-high with 15 hits as Noah Lewis had four hits, including a home run and three runs driven in. The Cajuns move into the double-elimination round of the tournament and will play Coastal Carolina at 12:30 today.

 

Louisiana Tech takes on Sam Houston in the Conference USA Tournament at 9 AM. Good pitching matchup as Declan Dahl will go for the Bulldogs. He was named the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year. The Bearcats will send Ryan Peterson to the hill, he has 102 strikeouts on the season.

 

Southern brings a 15-game winning streak into the SWAC Tournament. The Jaguars will play Jackson State at 3 PM in Birmingham. Southern’s K-J White has been named the league’s top hitter. He is hitting 4-23. Grambling is a five-seed and will face fourth seeded Alabama State at noon.