6:45 LRN Sportscast

For the first time since 2018, the Saints lost their season opener to Arizona 20-13 as a potential game tying drive ended at the Cardinals 18-yard line. The defense played well, sacking Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray five times. The 36-year-old Cam Jordan had a sack and a half and liked the fight the team showed in trying to come back….

Cut 20 (14) “…until we didn’t”

Spencer Rattler threw for 214 yards, but averaged less than five yards a pass. The Saints were penalized 13 times for 89 yards and the offense committed eight of those penalties.  New Orleans will have to clean up those mistakes to avoid an 0-2 start. They will host the 49ers Sunday, who beat Seattle 17 to 13.

LSU remains ranked third in the AP poll and fourth in the coaches poll despite a lethargic 23-7 win over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday night.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times. Coach Brian Kelly was disappointed with the run game, held to less than four yards a carry. B-K made it clear, he expects better execution because they have the players to do something special this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…disappointing”

The Cajuns beat McNeese 34-10, ULM lost 73 to 0 to Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana beat Murray State, while Nicholls, Northwestern State, Grambling and Southern lost.

LRN AM Newscall September 8

With this being Suicide Prevention Month, and today – 9/8 – being 988 day – the Louisiana Department of Health is joining forces with other organizations in holding 988 Day at the Capitol. Jeanne (“zhahn”) Burns reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

____________________________________________

Governor Landry is a little lighter in the wallet this morning. Andrew Greenstein explains why.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana says federal and state officials are breaking the law by housing ICE detainees at the State Penitentiary at Angola. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

_________________________________________________

With September being Suicide Prevention Month, and with today – 9/8 – recognized as 988 day, the Louisiana Department of Health and other organizations are hosting 988 Day at the Capitol. Sherrard (SHARE-id) Crespo with VIA LINK, which is one of the organizations putting on the event, says the event will be in the Formal Gardens at the Capitol this morning.

Cut 4 (14) “…wellness in Louisiana.”

Crespo says mental health is a major issue in this country, and it’s one that may still be unjustifiably stigmatized.

Cut 5 (15) “…thoughts of suicide.”

Crespo says suicide is especially prevalent among younger Louisianans, and it’s only getting worse.

Cut 6 (13) “…have gone on.”

Crespo says one message they want to get out is that they want lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to continue funding the 988 suicide helpline.

_________________________________________________

Governor Landry is 900 dollars lighter in the wallet this morning. Steven Procopio, the president and CEO of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Landry was fined that amount of money related to travel during his time as attorney general.

Cut 7 (07) “…in one case.”

Procopio says there was nothing illicit about these flights; all these flights were for a public purpose related to his duties as attorney general, such as conferences and things of that nature.

Cut 8 (13) “…didn’t disclose it.”

It was that non-disclosure of those trips that drew the fine against Landry. The big question now is – is the 900-dollar fine appropriate? The fines could have been as high as ten-thousand dollars per occurrence. Procopio says due to changes in the law that governs ethics investigations, we will never know whether Landry would have been fined more than the 900 dollars he was fined in total in this instance.

Cut 9 (08)  “…we don’t know.”

___________________________________________

The ACLU of Louisiana says the housing of undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes at the Louisiana State Penitentiary is a dangerous disregard of the legal system. ACLU Louisiana legal director Nora Ahmed says housing immigrants in a prison abandon the pretense that immigration detention is civil rather than criminal…

Cut 10 (15) “…to be used”

Ahmed says immigration detention is a civil process to ensure court appearances, not punishment for criminal behavior…

Cut 11 (11) “…already received.”

Angola has a notorious reputation because it was once slave plantation. In the 1960s and 70s, there were numerous incidents of extreme violence and even in recent history there have been accusations of inhumane conditions.

U-S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says they absolutely chose Angola to send the worst of the worst ICE detainees because of its reputation…

Cut 12 (11) “…of America.”

There are already 51 ICE detainees housed at Angola with plans to hold more than 400. ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan says the facility meets the organization’s standards. The detainees will have access to a legal library and spaces to meet with their attorneys. Sheahan says the plan is for these detainees to eventually be sent back to their home country…

Cut 13 (08)  “…judge’s decision.”

______________________________________________________

It wasn’t the blowout that fans, oddsmakers – and apparently coaches – had expected. But, nonetheless, LSU came out of Death Valley Saturday night with a 23-7 lethargic win over Louisiana Tech. After the game, an animated LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly’s tone almost made it sound like LSU had lost.

Cut 14 (19) “…that standard.”

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 237 yards, but his longest completion was just 23 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked three times.

Kelly was disappointed the Tigers couldn’t run the ball better, held to less than four yards a carry. 

Cut 15 (13) “…and coaches alike.”

Kelly made it clear in his animated postgame press conference that he expects better execution because they have the players to do something special this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…that’s diappointing”

LSU takes on Florida next Saturday in Death Valley. Florida is looking to bounce back after being upset at home by South Florida, 18-16, despite being 18 and a half point favorites.

______________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech’s offense continues to struggle as the Bulldogs had just 154 yards of total offense in the 23-7 loss to LSU. Starting quarterback Trey Kukuk threw for just 50 yards. Back-up Blake Baker led Tech on a scoring drive in the fourth quarter, and Coach Sonny Cumbie hinted at a possible quarterback change…

Cut 17 (19)  “…reading the cuts.”

Tech is back home this Saturday to take New Mexico State in its Conference USA opener.

________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns bounced back from an ugly two-point loss to Rice to beat McNeese 34 to 10. Bill Davis rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, but Coach Michael Desormeaux’s team threw for only 86 yards. Desormeaux says the passing game will need to improve…

Cut 18 (18) “…work through it.”

The Cajuns are at Missouri this Saturday.

_______________________________________________________________

The Saints battled to the end in Kellen Moore’s head coaching debut but came up a little short in a 20-13 loss to Arizona. Just not enough offense and too many penalties for the Black and Gold. Moore liked the fight from his team…

Cut 19 (15) “…work to do.”

Spencer Rattler threw for 214 yards, but averaged less than five yards a pass. Alvin Kamara had 11 carries and 45 yards rushing and one touchdown. Defensively, the Saints had five sacks, the franchise’s all-time sacks leader Cam Jordan had a sack and a half and also appreciated the fight from his teammates…

Cut 20 (14) “…we didn’t.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU senior cornerback Mansoor Delane was a key contributor in the 17 to 10 win over Clemson. Delane admits that the win was a great start for the 2025 season, but the Tigers won’t be satisfied until it brings back some hardware home.

Cut 20 (15) “…be better.”

The Saints will be without two key starters for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Kellen Moore said defensive end Chase Young and offensive guard Trevor Penning will be out. Moore also said that cornerback Alontae Taylor will play after battling a groin injury.

UL Lafayette will host McNeese State on Saturday at 7 p.m. in what will be former Catholic high standout Daniel Beale’s first true start at quarterback. The Cajuns will be without quarterback Walker Howard for 6 to 8 weeks after an oblique injury.

UL-Monroe will face number twenty-one ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa at 6:45 p.m. Central. The Warhawks are looking to pull off the upset in T-Town just like it did in 2007 when it defeated the Crimson Tide 21 to 14 in Nick Saban’s first year coaching Alabama.

Grambling State faces the top-ranked team in the nation in Ohio State, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. central, which will be the first time the Tigers play an AP number one team.

Tulane travels to Mobile to take on South Alabama Saturday at 6 p.m. Central.  The Green Wave will play both transfer quarterbacks, Jake Retzlaff and Brenden Sullivan.

Number 22-ranked Nicholls hosts West Georgia Saturday at 6 p.m. Central in what the Colonels hope to be a shake back game after blowing a second-half lead to Troy last week.

Southeastern Louisiana looks to bounce back at Murray State Saturday at 6 p.m. after being shutout by Louisiana Tech in week one.

Northwestern State will face Minnesota Saturday in Minneapolis at 11 a.m. Central after getting its first win since 2022 last week versus Alcorn State.

3:30 LRN Newscast

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office launched an investigation back in May into the number of non-citizens registering to vote; and yesterday, Secretary Nancy Landry announced the results of that investigation.

Cut 18 (15) “…past several years.”

She says a new state law makes it harder for non-citizens to register to vote.

 

A man wanted for a murder last night (Thursday night) in Ruston was arrested in Texas after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

The police chase ended in Marshall, Texas when Mack crashed his vehicle.

It appears that vendors at the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival got the memo. Organizers told them in no uncertain terms that they were only to sell Louisiana shrimp, and they all complied last weekend. SeaD (“seed”) Consulting  Co-founder Erin Williams says it’s a far cry from last year, when shrimp from four of the five vendors they tested turned out to be imported.

Cut 13 (09)  “…help that along.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

The LSU Tigers will look to avoid a let down performance against Louisiana Tech tomorrow. Coach Brian Kelly says every Saturday there is a standard and he wants his players to live up to that standard…

Cut 12 (13) “….drive themselves”

Kick off in Tiger Stadium is at 6:30.

Results of an investigation by the Secretary of State’s office released yesterday, showed 390 non-citizens were on the voter rolls in Louisiana and 79 of them voted in elections over the last several years. Secretary Nancy Landry…

Cut 21 (10) “…state laws implicated.”

Landry says Louisiana recently passed a law that will make it harder for non-citizens to register to vote, since proof of citizenship is now a requirement.

For many, allergy season is coming in Louisiana. Allergist with Ochsner Health, Dr. John Carlson says if allergies are hindering your lifestyle, there are options.

Cut 15 (15) “…different allergies.”

Attention sportsmen, it’s a Second Amendment Sales Tax Weekend, which means consumers do not have to pay state or local sales taxes on firearms, ammunition and range hunting supplies, including archery equipment, hunting apparel and certain knives. But Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the tax exemption does not apply to business or commercial purchases…

Cut 5 (09) “…commercial purchases”

The Second Amendment Sales Tax weekend runs through Sunday.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A man wanted for a murder last night (Thursday night) in Ruston was arrested in Texas after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

The police chase ended in Marshall, Texas when Mack crashed his vehicle.

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

Louisiana holds the 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday during the first full weekend in September.

 

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot is up to one-point-eight billion dollars, second largest in lottery history.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

First-year Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Luke Olson will have his hands full with shutting down an elite LSU offense when they visit Tiger Stadium Saturday. The Bulldogs are known to blitz often, and junior linebacker Mekhi Mason says they need to get to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier early and often.

Cut 12 (09) “…applying pressure.”

LSU’s additions through the transfer portal played well in the season opening win at Clemson. Senior cornerback Mansoor Delane wanted to play for a team that will develop him for the NFL while also competing for a national title. Delane says he saw the Tigers were building something special…

Cut 19 (16) “…come here.”

 

The Saints kick off their season on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will play his first game in Kellen Moore ‘s system. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier says Rattler needs to just be himself.

Cut 17 (14)  “…your job.”

Kick off is at noon.

The high school football season kicked off with a great game in Monroe as Neville held on to beat Evangel 33 to 32. The Tigers secure the victory by blocking a field goal try with 11 seconds left.

Also last night, West Monroe defeated Huntington 41 to 18, Wossman beat Bastrop 36 to six and St. Charles Catholic looked good in beating Newman 36 to 3. Tonight, Oak Gove faces Calvary Baptist, Ruston hosts Acadiana, and Catholic High of New Iberia faces Vermilion Catholic.

10:30 LRN Newscast

On the senate floor, US Senator John Kennedy used a picture of a movie alien to warn about eating the dangers of eating imported shrimp. Imported shrimp sold in Walmart stores in Louisiana and other states was recently found to be radioactive

Cut 8 (14) “…an extra ear.”

He says only 2% of imported shrimp is inspected, while the United Kingdom inspects 50-percent of the farmed seafood coming into the nation.

Fall weather is coming and so are fall allergies. Dr. John Carlson, an allergist and immunologist at Ochsner Health, says there are some good options at your local drug store that can prevent a reaction to seasonal allergies…

Cut 13 (04)  “…in it.”

Dr. Carlson says Saline nasal sprays and artificial tears can also help.

The Louisiana Secretary of State announces the results of a months-long investigation into non-citizens registering to vote. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Ruston Police say 35-year-old Ontario Spivey was fatally shot last night at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store. Officers identified the suspect as 31-year-old Virgl Mack Junior of Dubach. His vehicle was spotted heading west on I-20 and it wasn’t until he reached Marshall, Texas that he and two other individuals were apprehended.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU senior starting right guard Josh Thompson was a huge transfer portal addition for the Tigers as they needed to replace four starting offensive linemen. The Northwestern transfer ultimately made the decision to come down to Baton Rouge to get the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Cut 18 (17) “…is everything.”

The Tigers will host Louisiana Tech tomorrow night. The Bulldogs strength is their defense, which did not allow any points to Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday. Tech linebackers combined for 39 tackles and three sacks. Junior Mekhi Mason…

Cut 11 (10) “….out there”

Kick off tomorrow night is at 6:30.

 

Saints veteran cornerback Alontae Taylor was limited in practice yesterday due to a groin injury that he suffered about a month ago. Taylor says that he is doing everything he can to play in the opener, but does not want to rush it if he isn’t 100-percent.

Cut 16 (13) “…if I can.”

Starting defensive end Chase Young and offensive guard Trevor Penning did not practice yesterday, putting their status for the season opener on Sunday against Atlanta in doubt.

Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard will undergo surgery today and is likely out for the season. Louisiana Sports-dot-net is reporting Howard suffered a severe oblique injury. Daniel Beale will start at Q-B for UL Lafayette when they host McNeese tomorrow night.

The high school football season kicked off last night with Neville beating Evangel 33 to 32 and West Monroe knocking off Huntington 41 to 18.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has signed a 7-year deal worth $23.45 million, which will keep the two-time national champion skipper in Baton Rouge until the 2032 season. Johnson is set to make $3.05 million this season which will scale up $100,000 dollars each year of the contract. With the extension, Johnson will become the highest-paid coach in college baseball, surpassing Tennessee’s Tony Vitello.

The New Orleans Saints will be tasked with facing a talented Arizona Cardinals defense led by safety Budda Baker and linebacker Josh Sweat in its first regular-season game. Spencer Rattler says that the entire offense will have to play with good tempo while starting fast.

Cut 20 (15) “…the chains.”

UL Lafayette head coach Michael Desormeaux has ruled quarterback Walker Howard out with an undisclosed injury for this week’s game against McNeese. Desormeaux will turn to former Catholic High standout Daniel Beale at quarterback, which will be his first true start. Desormeaux also expects sophomore Lunch Winfield to get some reps to a capacity on offense.

The UL Ragin Cajuns started off the season with a very disappointing 14-12 loss against Rice. The Cajuns, who were Sun Belt Conference favorites, suddenly find themselves with limited margin for error for the rest of the season. Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that he knows the Cajuns will turn things around.

Cut 17 (16)  “…believe that.”

After a 4-3 vote, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron’s application for rehearing on his divorce settlement. Orgeron will still have to pay his ex-wife, Kelly Orgeron, more than 8 million dollars.