2:30 LRN Newscast

We are looking at a cold night, especially in north Louisiana where temperatures are expected to fall below freezing. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Knapp says when you factor in the wind chill, the real feel temperature will be in the mid-20s for much of north Louisiana. He says dry conditions will also continue…

Cut 13 (07) “….your parish”

Vernon, Caddo, Bossier, Winn, Jackson and Union parishes all have outdoor burn bans in effect.

The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says before, you could tell which calls and emails were scams, based on improper or broken English – but not anymore.

Cut 3 (10) “…if it’s legitimate.”

Lane, “The Portal King” Kiffin signs another top quarterback from the transfer portal. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Ragin Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard is heading back to Ole Miss. Howard started this past season as the starting Q-B for U-L Lafayette, but he injured his oblique and did not regain his starting spot. Howard was at Ole Miss during the 2023 and 24 seasons and if Trinidad Chambliss gains another year of eligibility through the court system, Howard will be a backup once again for the Rebels.

12:30 LRN Newscast

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has signed another quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is a Tiger after spending one season at USC. College and pro football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Longstreet threw for 85-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his high school career in California…

Cut 6 (04) “…biggest strength”

Detillier says Longstreet is also an accurate downfield passer.

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields announced he’ll visit 52 schools this year –kindergarten through college…all in the Sixth District he represents. Fields says he’s using the opportunity to highlight the education initiatives he’s working on in Congress.

Cut 12 (12) “…to address it.”

Especially with tax season upon us, the Better Business Bureau is urging you to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. Andrew Greenstein reports they’re becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team hopes it can turn its season around tonight as the Tigers host Kentucky at 6 PM. Coach Matt McMahon’s team is off to an 0-and-3 start in SEC play….

Cut 17 (16) “….chance to win”

McMahon’s record as LSU’s coach in SEC play is 14-43. Athletics director Verge Ausberry told the Advocate they are giving the support the men’s basketball’s program needs, but if they do not make the NCAA Tournament, they will have to re-evaluate.

Ragin Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard, who entered the transfer portal yesterday, is headed back to Ole Miss. The former St. Thomas More star was U-L Lafayette’s starting Q-B to begin the 2025 season, but injured his oblique. The former five-star recruit signed with LSU out of high school, but transferred to Ole Miss after one season and was with the Rebels in 2023 and 2024.

LSU receiver Nic Anderson has entered the portal after catching 12 passes for 106 yards and two TDS in 2025.

 

The Ragin Cajuns begin a four-game road trip tonight at Texas State. U-L Lafayette enters the game with 4-and-14 overall record, two and four in the Sun Belt. First year coach Quannas White says transition defense has hurt his team in recent games…

Cut 19 (18) “…connected”

Texas State 8-and-1 on its homecourt and they are 2-and-4 in the Sun Belt. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

Louisiana Tech concludes a three-game homestand tonight as the Bulldogs host Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs are looking for a little revenge, as they lost to the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro by 37 points on January 2nd. Tip off at the TAC is at 6:30.

The Pelicans lost to Denver 122 to 116 last night. New Orleans has the worst record in the Western Conference and they host one of the worst teams in the East tonight, the Brooklyn Nets.

9:30 LRN Newscast

According to data from the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in Louisiana has exceeded two-million people for seven consecutive months, which is a record in Louisiana’s economic history. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the next economic record the state can hit is a record for the number of nonfarm jobs, which was set in 2014. Knapp says breaking the all-time jobs record is likely since the state’s economic outlook for this year looks strong.

Cut 6 (10) “…and job expansion”

 

On Capitol Hill this morning, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is holding a hearing on chemical abortion drugs. The hearing is focusing on mifepristone, one of two abortion pills approved by the F-D-A. Cassidy is advocating for stronger restrictions to prevent the mail order of mifepristone…

Cut 9 (12) “….associated with it”

Democrats argue mifepristone is a safe, effective and essential form of healthcare.

Ochsner is urging people looking to live a healthier lifestyle to participate in their Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge. Nutrition specialist Allie Foreman says the challenge starts Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18th, and runs through Easter. She says people who have participated in previous years have really seen the results.

Cut 14 (13) “…the better sleep.”

If you’d like to participate, it only costs 59 dollars, and you get metrics and support valued at more than 450. For more information, go to alcoholfreefor40.com.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is not done adding quarterbacks to its roster. Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is reportedly scheduled to visit LSU this week. Staub has played the last three seasons for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. For his career in Boudler, he was 53-for-98 for 681 yards and four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Wisconsin running back Dilin Jones has committed to LSU. Jones rushed for 300 yards on 76 carries in 2025, before a turf toe injury ended his season.

Former LSU quarterback Colin Hurley has committed to Michigan. Former Tigers starting QB T-J Finley plans to play at U-I-W. It will be Finley’s seventh team in seven seasons.

Walker Howard is back in the transfer portal. The former St. Thomas More star started the season as the staring Q-B for the Cajuns, but he lost his job to Lunch Winfield because of an injury. Howard is looking to play for his fourth different school.

___________________________________________________________

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has been named a finalist for the NFL Rookie of the Year Award. Shough’s toughest competition for the award is believed to be Panthers receiver Tee-Mack McMillan, who caught 70 passes for one-thousand yards and seven touchdowns.

The LSU men’s basketball team looks to win its first SEC game of the season tonight as the Tigers host Kentucky at 6 p.m. Coach Matt McMahon says limiting turnovers is the key, because early turnovers have forced them to play from behind the last two games.

Cut 16 (10) “…a lot better.”

It looks like LSU’s starting point guard D-J Thomas will miss his fourth straight game as he’s listed as doubtful for tonight’s game.

The Pelicans fell to the Denver Nuggets 122 to 116 last night. New Orleans is 9-33 and hosts the Nets tonight.

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.