6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball got swept again over the weekend to finish SEC play at 9-and-21, and pitching is one of the main reasons why it’s been a bad season. The Tigers have the highest team ERA in the Southeastern Conference at 5.86. In Saturday’s regular season finale, LSU scored double-digit runs but still lost 15-11. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 16 (15) “…work to do.”

For LSU to make the NCAA Tournament, they will now need to win the SEC Tournament, which means winning five in a row in six days starting on Tuesday night against Oklahoma.

The LSU softball team is headed to the Super Regionals after beating Virginia Tech seven to two yesterday. The Tigers went 3-and-0 in the regional to improve to 40-17 on the season. LSU will now face the nation’s top seed, Alabama.

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UL Lafayette took two of three from Coastal Carolina, but still has work to do. The Cajuns are the seven seed in the Sun Belt Tourney, which means they will play 10th seeded Marshall tomorrow afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama. Coach Matt Deggs wishes they had avoided the single-elimination round, but the plan is to stay in Montgomery as long as possible to build up their NCAA Tournament resume…

Cut 19 (11) “…get a shot.”

Louisiana Tech finished tied for fourth in the Conference USA standings, and the Bulldogs will play Sam Houston on Wednesday morning and then Liberty on Friday morning. If Tech can win both games, they will advance to the semis.

McNeese upset top-seeded Southeastern Louisiana to advance to the Southland Championship Series. The Cowboys defeated the Lions eight to five yesterday and will now face Lamar in a best-of-three series that will begin Thursday in Beaumont to determine who gets the automatic bid to a Regional.

LRN AM Newscall

A bill awaiting Governor Landry’s signature aims to crack down on a new way to skirt Louisiana’s seafood labeling laws. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Andrew Greenstein has analysis of what went down in the primaries on Saturday.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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It will be Congresswoman Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming in a June 27th run-off in the US Senate Republican primary, while Bill Cassidy’s political career is likely over. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A bill seeking to crack down on a way to skirt Louisiana’s seafood labeling laws is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. It’s called co-mingling – mixing imported shrimp with domestically-caught shrimp and passing the whole lot off as domestic shrimp. Lafitte Representative Tim Kerner, who filed House Bill 857, says this is no oversight – those who are doing it are doing so maliciously.

Cut 4 (07) “…off as domestic.”

Cheri Blanchard, a Louisiana board member of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, says it’s sometimes unclear exactly who is doing this to sell the shrimp at a premium price and keep the profits.

Cut 5 (10) “…be doing that.”

House Bill 857 passed both houses of legislature without a single dissenting vote. Kerner says those caught mixing foreign shrimp with domestic shrimp will face substantial penalties.

Cut 6 (04) “…third offense 50-thousand.”

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LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says Bill Cassidy’s third-place finish in the Senate Republican primary has Donald Trump’s name written all over it.

Cut 7 (12) “…longer supported him.”

Furthermore, Julia Letlow, who got into the race in January after Trump endorsed her, easily outpaced both Cassidy and John Fleming with 45-percent of the vote. Hogan says the results of this primary election proves that for Republican voters, it seems like there’s only one thing that matters.

Cut 8 (11) “…for other elections.”

As for the constitutional amendments, Hogan says this was an instance where Democrats, who are greatly outnumbered at the Capitol, were able to have a great deal of influence in defeating all five.

Cut 9 (07)  “…education funds altered.”

Senate President Cameron Henry had previously said if the amendment fails, teachers shouldn’t count on the legislature to extend the stipend to them once again, effectively resulting in a pay cut.

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Republican Bill Cassidy is the second U.S. Senator in Louisiana’s history not to be re-elected in the last 94 years. Cassidy finished third in the Senate Republican Primary, while Congresswoman Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming advance to a June 27th run-off. Cassidy told supporters on Saturday it was a privilege to represent Louisiana….

Cut 10 (16) “…stolen.”

Letlow, who had the support of President Trump, won the Senate Republican Primary with 45-percent of the vote. The Congresswoman says the President’s support helped her withstand 26-million dollars in negative advertisement against her…

Cut 11 (11) “…negativity.”

President Trump said in a post on Truth Social that it is nice to see that Cassidy’s political career is over.

In his concession speech, Cassidy did not mention Trump’s name, but said the country is not about one individual. Louisiana’s outgoing US Senator added he was loyal to the welfare of U-S and Louisiana citizens and the Constitution.

Cut 12 (14) “…be a leader.”

Letlow was asked about the impact of Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump in 2021 and how that impacted the results of Saturday’s primary…

Cut 13 (11)  “…tonight’s result.”

The two other Louisiana U-S Senators to lose their re-election since 1932, Mary Landrieu in 2014 and Edwin Broussard in 1932, who like Cassidy, lost in a closed primary.

It will be Letlow and Fleming in the June 27 primary runoff. Fleming did several interviews with media outlets across the state and is already on the attack…

Cut 14 (14) “ itself.”

Fleming doesn’t have the endorsement of President Trump, but he did serve in his first administration. And the State Treasurer’s campaign has been mostly self-funded…

Cut 15 (11) “…powerful politician.”

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LSU got swept again over the weekend to finish SEC play at 9-and-21 and pitching is one of the main reasons why it’s been such a bad season. The Tigers have the highest team ERA in the Southeastern Conference at 5.86. In Saturday’s regular season finale, LSU scored double digit runs but still lost 15-11. Coach Jay Johnson…

Cut 16 (15) “…work to do.”

Johnson says he still has belief in pitching coach Nate Yeskie and the rest of his coaching staff and the group of pitchers that are planning on returning next season…

Cut 17 (17)  “..can be.”

LSU will play Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament on Tuesday in the last game of the day, scheduled for 8 PM.

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The Ragin Cajuns finished off the regular season on a high note by taking two of three from Coastal Carolina to finish 16-and-14 in Sun Belt play. Coach Matt Deggs says after a slow start in league play, his guys rebounded well…

Cut 18 (18)  “…get better.”

The Cajuns are the seven seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, which means they will play 10th seeded Marshall tomorrow afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama. Deggs wishes they could have avoided the single elimination round, but the plan is to stay in Montgomery as long as possible to build up their NCAA Tournament resume…

Cut 19 (11) “…get a shot.”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

For the second time in three games, LSU was run ruled as the Tigers were held to three hits in an 11 to one loss to the Florida Gators in seven innings. Marcos Pause started the game and allowed seven runs in 4 plus innings. Casan Evans also got touched up for three runs. This dismal regular season for the Tigers ends today. Final game starts at 2 PM.

La Tech goes after its 20th Conference USA win when they host Sam Houston at 1 PM. The Bulldogs defeated the Bearkats eight to two last night. More strong pitching from the Diamond Dogs as Hudson Rowan did not allow an earned run in five innings. Riley Fisher picked up his sixth save of the season.

20th ranked Coastal Carolina blanked U-L Lafayette six to nothing, while ULM trounced Troy 12 to 2. The Warhawks still have a slight chance at making the Sun Belt Tournament. They need to beat Troy today and need a lot of help.

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McNeese defeated top seeded Southeastern Louisiana 15 to 9 in the Southland Tournament. Matt Stancliff had three hits and drove in three runs. The Lions will need to beat Houston Christian at 1 PM to keep their season alive. McNeese will play the winner tonight at 6 PM. If the Cowboys win tonight, they advance to the Southland Championship series.

Nicholls was eliminated with a six to five loss to H-C-U and in the Beaumont Bracket, Northwestern State lost to Stephen F Austin six to four and will face Lamar in an elimination game this afternoon.

In NCAA Softball Tournament…LSU blanked Akron eight-zip. The Tigers will play Virginia Tech at noon today. McNeese lost to Arizona State eight to nothing and Southeastern lost to Belmont two to nothing.

At the state baseball championships…Catholic High won its third straight title, Lutcher also wrapped up the Division two non-select title.

Sterlington who is trying to repeat…they face Westlake at 11 AM and Sam Houston is also trying to repeat, they play Dutchtown at 5:30.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The U.S. Senate primary election is tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein has a preview.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the U-S House races for this spring have officially been cancelled as a result of legislation signed by Governor Landry that moves the U-S House races to an open primary on November third. Landry says some voters will continue to see the cancelled U-S House races on Saturday’s ballot, election officials are prohibited from releasing or disclosing the results.

 

Heading to the Louisiana House is a proposed Congressional map with one majority Black district, and five districts that favor Republican representation.  Monroe Democrat Katrina Jackson-Andrews made the point during debate on the Senate floor that only a third of the state’s voters are registered Republican, so the map should have more diversity.

Cut 16 (12) “…of our people.”

West Monroe Republican Jay Morris says federal law allows the Legislature to use partisan advantage as a factor in redistricting.

Because Democrats will likely lose a Congressional district in Louisiana, there’s a campaign to vote against the five constitutional amendments on the ballot. Barry Erwin with Leaders for a Better Louisiana says Amendment Two, which creates the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge, is one to watch…

Cut 9 (08) “….Parish in particular”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Senate has approved a Congressional map that eliminates one of the two majority Black districts. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says under his proposal, the state’s congressional map will have five districts that will likely have Republican representation and one district likely represented by a Democrat.

Cut 13 (12)  “…maximize Republican advantage.”

The state senate approved the map on a 27-10 party line vote. New Orleans Democrat Royce Duplessis says the map undoes all the progress that Blacks have made since the civil rights movement.

Cut 14 (11) “…of the world.”

Louisiana House members will begin debating the Senate approved Congressional map next week.

 

Tomorrow is election day and polls indicate a tight race for the two runoff spots in the Senate Republican Primary. Incumbent Bill Cassidy is seeking a third term, but he’s facing two well financed challengers with name recognition, Julia Letlow and John Fleming. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says even if Cassidy makes it to the run-off, there’s no guarantee he’ll will win…

Cut 5 (09) “…other two candidates”

Five constitutional amendments are on tomorrow’s ballot. Constitutional Amendment One would allow the legislature to remove state government jobs from the civil service system and its protections without getting approval from the Civil Service Commission. Steven Procopio with the Public Affairs Research Council…

Cut 8 (07) “…private business approach.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints will start the 2026 season on the road and then play the next three at home, including a Monday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Black and Gold’s return to the Dome following Hurricane Katrina. It’s the lone primetime game for the Saints.

New Orleans will open the season in Detroit and then travel to Baltimore in week two. The Saints host Las Vegas in week three and then the October 5th matchup against the Falcons. The Saints could have a couple of potentially cold weather games in November against the Bears and Bengals.

Another rough night for LSU’s pitchers as the Tigers walked 13 hitters in an 11 to eight loss to 19th ranked Florida. Daniel Lachenmeyer started and gave up six runs in the first inning. Steven Milam drove in three in a losing effort.

Nice win for the Ragin Cajuns last night as U-L Lafayette defeated 20th ranked Coastal Carolina seven to two. Cody Brasch with six shutout innings.

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Three Louisiana Tech pitchers combined to hold Sam Houston to three hits in a two-to one win over the Bearcats. Declan Dahl struck out seven over five innings. Luke Nicholas got the win and Thomas Allen the save. The Dogs have won 14 of their last 18 Conference USA games.

Troy scored four runs in the first inning and ULM never really could recover as the Trojans defeated the Warhawks six to four

In the Southland Tournament, Blaise Preister hit a walk-off home run in the ninth as top seeded Southeastern Louisiana avoided the upset by beating Houston Christian three to two. The Lions will play McNeese in the winner’s bracket tonight after the Cowboys beat Nicholls 11 to 3. The Colonels will try to avoid elimination when they play the Huskies this afternoon.

In Beaumont, sixth seeded Northwestern State upset third seeded UTRGV six to five.

Southern edged Alabama A-and-M nine to eight as Kameron Byrd had a walk-off two run single. Bethune Cookman beat Grambling 23 to 1 in 7 innings.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The entire 2026 Saints schedule comes out tonight at 7 PM. It’s been leaked that the Black and Gold will open the season in Detroit and they’ll play the Bengals in Cincinnati during Thanksgiving weekend. The home opener is reportedly week three against the Las Vegas Raiders.

LSU athletics director Verge Ausberry tells the USA Today there was no feel, no connection between the LSU football program, the coach and the fans when Brian Kelly was the head coach of the Tigers. Ausberry says he knows with Lane Kiffin that he’ll go out and talk to donors and supporters.

Two-time state championship-winning football coach Joe Spatafora is leaving Union Parish for a high school coaching job in Arkansas. Spatafora says this new opportunity at Drew Central High School in Monticello, Arkansas came together in the last week…

Cut 7 (12) “…as well”

Spatafora won two State championships in football in 2013 and 2023,

 

LSU begins the final SEC series of the season tonight as the Tigers host Florida. It will be the final games at the Box for a couple of key contributors to last year’s national championship team, outfielder Chris Stanfield and pitcher Zac Cowan. Coach Jay Johnson says it’s rare to have talented players like these two guys stay for their senior seasons.

Cut 17 (20)  “…season this year.”

First pitch is at 6:30.

The Southland Baseball Tournament got underway today. In the Hammond Bracket…McNeese advanced to the winner’s bracket with an easy 11 to 3 win over Nicholls. Isaiah Keller doubled and homered and drove in three.

Northwestern upset UTRGV six to five. Jacob LeBlanc pitched well out of the bullpen for his fourth win of the season. Wesley Marien earned his third save.

4:30 LRN Newscast

On a 27-10 party line vote, the Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional map that has five districts that favor Republican representation and one district that would likely be represented by a Democrat. Monroe Democrat Kantrina Jackson-Andrews pointed out to the bill’s author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, that registered Republican voters only make up a third of the state…

Cut 15 (12) “…Republican.”

The Congressional map debate shifts to the House as the lower chamber will also have to approve the map before it is sent to the governor’s desk.

Legislation has already been sent to the governor that reschedules the election dates for the U-S House races, which will shift back to an open primary, with the primary being held in November and the run-off in December.

 

When the calendar flips to 2027, you will no longer have to renew your vehicle inspection sticker. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Two-time state championship-winning football coach Joe Spatafora is leaving Union Parish. Spatafora says he’s the new head coach at Drew Central in Monticello, Arkansas…

Cut 7 (12) “…as well”

LRN PM Newscall

When the calendar flips to 2027, you will no longer have to renew your vehicle inspection sticker. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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16 and 17-year-olds can now get a job without all the red tape. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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If your vehicle inspection sticker is not due for renewal until next year or beyond, don’t bother – you’ll never need to renew it again. A House bill to replace the inspection sticker with a QR code has passed the Senate and will soon be on the desk of the Governor, who has said he will sign it. The vote in the Senate was 27 to 7. Lafayette Democrat Gerald Boudreaux one of those voting “no”; he said owners of businesses that perform official state inspections expressed concerns about the effects on their operations.

Cut 3 (07) “…have been there.”

Alexandria Democrat Jay Luneau said inspections are not a major source of revenue for these businesses.

Cut 4 (09) “…profitable or not.”

Boudreaux said no amount of modern technology can replace inspections to keep everyone on Louisiana roadways safe.

Cut 5 (06) “…on the road.”

Luneau said technology changes things; and by implementing the QR codes, the state is moving on to the next level.

Cut 6 (11) “…are going on.”

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Two-time state championship-winning football coach Joe Spatafora is leaving Union Parish for a high school coaching job in Arkansas. Spatafora says this new opportunity at Drew Central High School in Monticello, Arkansas came together in the last week…

Cut 7 (12) “…as well”

Spatafora, who brought a run-first, physical style of football to Farmerville. He cherishes the relationships he built at Union Pairsh.

Cut 8 (08) “..family forever.”

Union Parish has won three football championships in the school’s history, Spatafora was at the helm for two of those titles in 2013 and 2023…

Cut 9 (09)  “…got forever”

Union Parish also finished runner-up three times with Spatafora as its head coach, 2020 to 2022. His record at U-P was 179 and 74.

Union Parish assistant coach and former Arcadia head coach Demitri Carr is expected to replace Spatafora.

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16 and 17-year-olds no longer need to obtain a work permit from their school board to obtain a part-time job. Governor Landry has signed House Bill 232 into law, removing a lot of the red tape that those teens had to go through in order to be able to work. The author of the legislation, Lafayette Republican Josh Carlson, says it was also a very cumbersome task for schools as well.

Cut 10 (11) “…the work permit.”

Carlson says the old system actually prevented some minors from being able to work.

Cut 11 (10) “…a work permit.”

Carlson’s bill removes the government from the process altogether.

Cut 12 (09) “…the school system.”

All other laws governing the employment of 16 and 17-year-olds, including the number of hours they can work per day and per week and the time frame in which they’re allowed to work, remain unchanged. The new law became effective upon Governor Landry’s signature.

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This afternoon, the State Senate passed a congressional map with five Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district. The vote was 27 to 10, straight down party lines. West Monroe Republican Jay Morris defended the map he created….

Cut 13 (08) “…present.”

The Louisiana Legislature is redrawing the Congressional map because the Supreme Court ruled the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, which means race can not be the primary factor in drawing the district lines.

During questioning, New Orleans Sidney Barthelmy told Morris that since 80-percent of the Republican party is white, his map is also based on race which is not allowed…

Cut 14 (12) “…partisanship.”

Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says registered Republican voters only make up a third of the state, but yet the map is drawn so that the G-O-P has more than a super majority in the Louisiana House delegation

Cut 15 (12) “…Republican.”

The Congressional map debate shifts to the House as the lower chamber will also have to approve the map before it is sent to the governor’s desk.

1:30 LRN Newscast

When the calendar flips to 2027, you will no longer have to renew your vehicle inspection sticker.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new study finds students in Louisiana are making the biggest gains in the US for reading and math growth. Governor Landry says we are also the only state that’s returned to pre-pandemic learning levels…:

CUT 21 (05) “we’re leading”

 

16 and 17-year-olds no longer need to obtain a work permit from their school board to obtain a part-time job. Governor Landry has signed House Bill 232 into law, removing a lot of the red tape that those teens had to go through in order to be able to work. The author of the legislation, Lafayette Republican Josh Carlson, says it was also a very cumbersome task for schools as well.

Cut 10 (11) “…the work permit.”

Carlson says the old system actually prevented some minors from being able to work.

One of the most successful high school football coaches in north Louisiana is taking another high school job in Arkansas. Joe Spatafora, who won 179 games and two states at Union Parish, is leaving the Fighting Farmers to coach at Drew Central High School in Monticello, Arkansas. Spataford led U-P to state titles in 2013 and 2023…

Cut 9 (09) “.,.got forever”

Union Parish assistant coach and former Arcadia head coach Demitri Carr is expected to replace Spatafora.