8:30 LRN Newscast

What’s the latest with the special session on tax reform? Bills to reduce state income taxes have already cleared the House and State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says the House is now looking to raise the state sales tax to offset the loss of revenues from lower income taxes…

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax”

The eleven-cent sales tax is when you combine local sales taxes with a proposed five-cent sales tax.

Deer hunting season has been put on hold in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which covers parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John and St. James parishes. L-D-W-F’s Shane Granier says flood waters in the area have reached three feet…

Cut 14 (12) “….day or two”

But we’ve seen a lot more rain fall in this area yesterday and into the overnight hours.

Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars in grants to bridge the digital divide. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There was speculation Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves could be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary. But Trump has nominated former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy for that post.

Starting next May, Allegiant Airlines will fly direct from Shreveport to Nashville on Thursdays and Sundays.

7:30 LRN Newscast

There are seven days left in the special session and Andrew Greenstein is reporting the Louisiana House is looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent, so that income taxes can be lowered…

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

Former LSU star and Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes has been named the N-L Rookie of the Year. Skenes had 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.

Governor Landry has announced the deployment of nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says most of that money is staying local.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their communities.”

The governor’s office says this broadband deployment will expand connectivity to 140-thousand locations across the state, supporting 100 thousand households and 35-thousand small businesses.

New Orleans City Councilman Eugene Green is speaking out against a mass shooting at a second line parade in the St. Roch neighborhood on Sunday that left two people dead and 11 injured. Green is optimistic the New Orleans Police Department homicide unit will find the individuals who caused this heart ache…

Cut 7 (11) “…this crime”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football team has lost three in a row and the Tigers will fall short of their goals this year. On3.com ranks LSU’s 2025 recruiting class as the fourth best in the country, but the Tigers will also have to add players through the transfer portal. But Coach Brian Kelly does not want to live and die through the transfer portal…

Cut 18 (12) “…invested in that”

The Saints are heading into their bye week with a four and seven record and a two-game winning streak. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says his team needs to stay focused…

Cut 20 (18) “…recovery in.”

The Saints next game is December 1st at home against the Rams.

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team improved to 5-and-0 last night with a 98 to 59 win over Troy. The Lady Tigers had a slow start but went to a full court press and that sparked a 16 to nothing run and a 34-point halftime lead. Aneesah Morrow had 23 points and 13 rebounds…

Cut 30 (15) “…with that”

The Lady Tigers will host Tulane tomorrow night.

Last night, the McNeese men’s team rallied back from a seven-point deficit in the second half to beat North Texas 68 to 61. Sincere Parker scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the final 5:44.

Southeastern Louisiana held on to beat ULM 70 to 67. Louisiana Tech clobbered Mississippi College 105 to 67 as Daniel Batcho scored a career-high 38 points.

6:30 LRN Newscast

At the state capitol, there are a lot of discussions happening behind closed doors as lawmakers try to approve Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan. There appears to be enough resistance against a proposal to tax 41 services that are currently not taxed now. State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says legislators are now looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent…

Cut 5 (10) “…trade off”

The House convenes this afternoon, and we’ll see if they pass a bill that raises the state sales tax to five-percent.

Governor Landry has announced the state will deploy one-point-three billion dollars in federal dollars to support broadband access throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar, director of Connect L-A says two local companies are part of a group getting 450-million dollars in funding.

Cut 11 (06) “…and T-Mobile.”

A second line shooting left two dead and 11 injured in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood of New Orleans on Sunday. City officials say the shootings disrupted a cultural tradition. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two high school football teams have been booted from the playoffs. The LHSAA says Ferriday is disqualified because of a brawl that broke out during the second quarter of their game against Lake Arthur. The Trojans were set to play at Welsh this Friday. And University High has lost its court hearing and a judge has sided with the LHSAA that the Cubs played two ineligible players this season.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU dropped their third straight after losing to Florida 27-16 Saturday. Head Coach Brian Kelly had a heated exchange with wide receiver Chris Hilton during the loss…
Cut 17 (16) “…an impact.”

The Tigers will host Vanderbilt Saturday

The Saints earned their second straight win under Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi with a 35-14 victory over the Browns yesterday. Taysom Hill stole the show with over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rizzi says Hill bounced back after an interception and a fumble early in the game…
Cut 19 (13) “…on our team.”

Louisiana Tech upset Western Kentucky 12-7 behind a Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week performance from kicker Buck Buchanan. It’s been a frustrating season in Ruston with 5 of the Bulldogs’ 6 losses coming in one score games, but Head Coach Sonny Cumbie says his squad is still fighting…
Cut 16 (16) “…each other.”
At 4-and-6 LA Tech’s bowl hopes are still alive, but they’ll have a tough challenge at Arkansas this weekend.

In men’s basketball McNeese will host undefeated North Texas at 6:00 tonight.
3-and-0 Louisiana Tech is set to host Mississippi College
And Southeastern will visit UL Monroe at 6:30.

The seventh-ranked LSU women’s basketball team will host 1-and-3 Troy tonight at 7:00.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

After losing seven in a row, the Saints now have a two-game winning streak under interim coach Darren Rizzi as New Orleans defeated the Cleveland Browns 35 to 14. Taysom Hill had a huge game with 230 all-purpose yards, 138 rushing, 50 receiving and 18 passing…and scored three touchdowns, tying a career-high. It was also the first time since Ed Podolak (POE-do-lack) of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971 that a player had three rushing touchdowns, 50 yards receiving and at least one passing completion. Hill said he’s honored to be mentioned in such elite company.

Cut 20 (12) “…lot to me.”

The Saints are now 4-and-7, have a bye this weekend, and host the Rams on December 1st.

Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns but the Bengals lost last night to the Chargers 34 to 27.

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LSU has its first three-game losing streak since 2021 after losing to Florida 27 to 16. The Tigers no longer have a shot at playing for an SEC Championship or winning ten games this season. But Coach Brian Kelly still wants to end the season on a right note…

Cut 18 (18) “…along side of you”

The Tigers host Vanderbilt this Sunday.

The Ragin Cajuns failed to lock up a Sun Belt Western Division title as they were upset at home on Saturday, losing to South Alabama 24 to 22. The Jaguars led 24 to 3 at halftime and Coach Michael Desormeaux (Dez-er-mo) blames himself for not having the team ready to play…

Cut 14 (15) “…of us.”

UL Lafayette falls to 8-and-2 and will host Troy this Saturday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints make it two in a row under interim coach Darren Rizzi as they beat the Cleveland Browns at the Superdome, 35-14. After the game, Rizzi said his team played a complete game.

Cut 19 (14) “…all three things.”  

Huge game for Taysom Hill as he had three rushing touchdowns, including a 75-yarder.

The LSU Tigers dropped their third straight game on Saturday losing to the Florida Gators 27 to 16. LSU won nearly every statistical category in the box score, but the Tigers only scored one touchdown and continued to give up big plays on defense. Coach Brian Kelly.

Cut 17 (11) “…explosive plays.” 

LSU will host Vanderbilt on Saturday.

La Tech kept its bowl chances alive by upsetting Western Kentucky 12 to 7. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie’s defense shut down one of the best offenses in Conference USA…

Cut 15 (15) “…offense down.”

The Bulldogs are at Arkansas this Saturday.

U-L Lafayette had a chance to clinch the Sun Belt West Title but was upset by South Alabama 24 to 22. The Jaguars own the tiebreaker if the two teams end up in a tie for first place in the West. The Cajuns host Troy this Saturday, while South Al visits Southern Miss.

 

Southern has won the SWAC Western Division title, while in the Southland, Southeastern Louisiana still has a shot at sharing the league title with U-I-W. But the Lions will need to beat Nicholls on Thursday in the River Bell Classic. The Colonels have lost three in a row after falling to Lamar 24 to 7.

LRN AM Newscall November 18

The proposed tax reform measures that would eliminate Louisiana’s film incentive program and historic building tax credits concerns Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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LSU’s student leadership doesn’t like that Governor Landry arranged for a live tiger to be brought into Tiger Stadium before the Alabama game. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The House and Senate are set to convene this afternoon as the work continues with the rewrite of the state’s tax code. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has raised concerns over proposed tax reform measures that would eliminate Louisiana’s film incentive program and historic building tax credits. Nungesser argues that cutting these programs entirely could harm the state’s economy, particularly in sectors benefiting from tourism and film production.

Cut 4 (13) “…for the credit.”

Nungesser says these programs have proven their value.  The film incentive program has brought significant investment and jobs to Louisiana, while historic tax credits preserve our unique cultural heritage and revitalize communities.

Cut 5 (14) “…preserves the history.” 

Carencro Representative Julie Emerson, a proponent of the reforms, contends that eliminating these credits is a necessary step to balance the state’s budget.

Cut 6 (08) “…roughly a tradeoff.”

Emerson says these cuts are a way to simplify the tax code and offset revenue losses, while critics warn of potential economic fallout for industries reliant on these incentives.  Emerson says by cutting these incentives, they can reduce taxes for every businesses in the state.

Cut 7 (08) “…business in Louisiana.”

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The LSU Student Senate unanimously passes a resolution urging the university never to have a live tiger brought into Tiger Stadium before a football game again. For the Alabama game, Governor Landry procured a tiger from Florida to bring back a tradition that died several years ago. Speaker Pro Tempore Ethan Elme authored the resolution,

Cut 8 (13) “…related to that.”

Ariana Tashakkori, a senior majoring in natural resources ecology and management and a member of the school’s chapter of the Wildlife Society, says she was disheartened to see LSU cave in to Governor Landry after previously telling him no.

Cut 9 (09)  “…involvement with LSU”

The resolution will be sent to University President William Tate, Athletic Director Scott Woodward, Governor Landry and others. But Donna Long with the LSU Wildlife Society, says she would be shocked if university leadership acknowledged the students’ concerns.

Cut 10 (12) “…lipped about it.”

At this time, it’s unclear whether the Florida tiger, named Omar Bradley, is still in Louisiana or whether he or another tiger will be brought onto the field before the start of one of the two remaining home games of the season.

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The Louisiana Senate gets its turn this week to debate and vote on the various bills that make up Governor Landry’s tax plan. The bills up for discussion would cut individual and business taxes and there’s also a revenue raising bill which would make the state’s sales tax 4.40 percent. Senate President Cameron Henry feels good about approving changes to the state’s tax code before the session must end next Monday night…

Cut 11 (08) “…bills forward.”

Lobbying is underway to prevent the elimination of the state’s film tax credit program and tax credit to restore historic buildings. Henry says they are listening to Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois on whether these tax break programs make sense for the state…

Cut 12 (10) “….she’s there”

The Senate has yet to receive a bill that extends sales taxes to services that are currently not taxed. The Louisiana House has yet to vote on the measure as there’s opposition to paying sales taxes for dog grooming, landscaping, and home repairs. Henry says they will wait and see what the House does…

Cut 13 (10)  “…it all.”

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The Ragin Cajuns failed to lock up a Sun Belt Western Division title as they were upset at home on Saturday, losing to South Alabama 24 to 22. The Jaguars led 24 to 3 at halftime and Coach Michael Desormeaux (Dez-er-mo) blames himself for not having the team ready to play…

Cut 14 (15) “…of us.”

UL Lafayette falls to 8-and-2 and will host Troy this Saturday.

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Louisiana Tech kept its bowl chances alive by upsetting Western Kentucky 12 to 7. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie’s defense, which has been strong all season, shut down one of the best offenses in Conference USA…

Cut 15 (15) “…offense down.”

The Bulldogs improve to 4-and-6 and Cumbie says his players have not given up on the season…

Cut 16  (16)  each other.” 

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The LSU Tigers dropped their third straight game on Saturday losing to the Florida Gators 27 to 16. LSU won nearly every statistical category in the box score, but the Tigers only scored one touchdown and continued to give up big plays on defense. Coach Brian Kelly.

Cut 17 (11) “…explosive plays.” 

LSU has been eliminated from an opportunity to play in the SEC Championship game and can no longer win ten games this season. They have two regular season games left starting this Saturday at home against a hungry Vanderbilt team. Kelly says pride is the Tigers’ biggest motivation…

Cut 18 (18)   “…along side of you.”

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The Saints make it two in a row under interim coach Darren Rizzi as they beat the Cleveland Browns at the Superdome, 35-14. After the game, Rizzi said his team played a complete game.

Cut 19 (14) “…all three things.”  

Taysom Hill had a game for the ages, and it’s not hyperbole to say that he did everything out there. He had 230 all-purpose yards — 138 yards rushing, 50 yards receiving, 18 yards passing and 42 kick return yards — and scored three touchdowns. It was the first time in two years that Hill scored three touchdowns in a game, tying a career high. It was also the first time since Ed Podolak (POE-do-lack) of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971 that a player had three rushing touchdowns, 50 yards receiving and at least one passing completion. Hill said he’s honored to be mentioned in such elite company.

Cut 20 (12) “…lot to me.”

The Saints improve to 4-and-9 on the season as they enter their bye week. Their next game is Sunday, December 1st against the Rams  at the Superdome. Kickoff is at 3:05 Central time.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Nuss Bus will try to get back on track on Saturday when the Fighting Tigers visit the Florida Gators at 2:30. Nussmeier has turned it over six times over the last six quarters, but offensive tackle Emery Jones says Nuss still has a positive mindset…

Cut 20 (09) “….him for that”

Florida Coach Billy Napier says quarterback DJ Lagway will start at quarterback for the Gators after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury.

The Ragin Cajuns can win a Sun Belt West title with a victory against South Alabama on Saturday. U-L Lafayette is 8-and-1 and Cajun fans believe their team should be ranked in the Top 25. But Coach Michael Desormeaux (Dez-er-mo) says that doesn’t matter when they line up against the Jaguars…

Cut 14 (07) “…come and win”

Kick off is at 6 PM.

In other college football action this Saturday, Louisiana Tech is at Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are undefeated in Conference USA Play. Tulane visits Navy in a battle featuring two of the best teams in American Athletic Conference. ULM travels to Auburn. Grambling is at Alabama and A-and-M, Southern can win a SWAC west title with a win over Arkansas Pine Bluff.

And in the Southland…McNeese visits winless Northwestern State, Nicholls travels to Lamar. The Colonels have lost two in a row.

Saints starting center Erik McCoy is expected to return Sunday after missing seven games with a groin injury. McCoy says he will go up against a very good Cleveland Browns defensive line…

Cut 17 (17) “…successful game”

3:30 LRN Newscast

No action at the State Capitol today, but the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee will hold a hearing Sunday to hear the House-approved bills that cut income taxes for individuals and there’s also tax cuts for businesses. Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Chairman Franklin Foil says they will also hear measures that will raise tax revenues through sales taxes

Cut 11 (12) “…pay for it”

The special session must end on November 25th.

A Dequincy man has been cited for alleged deer hunting violations that include dumping deer carcasses from a bridge in the Calcasieu Parish town of Starks.  LDWF Lt. Wendel Vaughn says 62-year-old Ronald Owens was cited for failing to tag deer and gross littering

Cut 15 (13) “…the carcasses there.”

Country music star and Baskin native, Lainey Wilson is performing two sold out shows at the Monroe Civic Center this weekend

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Today marks the three-year anniversary of the signing of the federal Infrastructure law that resulted in billions of dollars being allocated to highway projects, airports, broadband, power transmission and other transportation facilities. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is proud to be one of the lead authors of the legislation…

Cut 5 (10) “…economy for 2050”