6:30 LRN Newscast

The tax reform special session is scheduled to start next Wednesday, and Governor Jeff Landry’s plan focuses on tax cuts, income tax reductions, and increased take-home pay. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry and state economic Development officials are in South Korea. According to the governor’s office the delegation is there to cultivate business and diplomatic ties describing South Korea as one of the state’s most important trading partners and foreign direct investors.

We’re learning new information on a deadly shooting that canceled a homecoming football game in St. Martinville last Friday night. 22-year-old Deondre Benjamin was shot dead outside the stadium where St. Martinville was set to host Erath. St. Martinville Police Chief Ricky Martin says the people involved had nothing to do with any players on either team.

Cut 10 (11) “…a third party.”

Chief Martin says the city has been installing a city-wide camera system, and that system was instrumental in capturing 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner, who’s charged with second-degree murder.

The LSU School of Nursing in New Orleans has received the National League for Nursing Award for the third time. Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing Jenna Martin says The NLN award highlights the school’s strong curriculum, which integrates cutting-edge teaching methods…

Cut 8 (12) “….TRYING TO IMPROVE”

Martin says the award enhances the school’s reputation, making it a more attract option for prospective students.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints losing streak grew to six on Sunday with an ugly 26 to 8 loss to the Chargers. New Orleans Coach Dennis Allen says it’s up to the players and coaches to get back into the win column…

Dennis 4 (11) “…which ones don’t”

Allen is optimistic that starting quarterback Derek Carr will return this Sunday from an oblique injury that has sidelined him the last three games. New Orleans will be in Charlotte this Sunday to the face the lowly Panthers.

Former LSU star Jayden Daniels is the talk of the NFL as he led the Commanders to an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears. Daniels, who was playing with bruised ribs, sailed a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game that bounced into the hands of Noah Brown for an improbable victory. The Commanders are now six and two and there’s talk about Daniels in the running for M-V-P.

Texas A-and-M quarterback Marcell Reed was named SEC co-freshman of the week for igniting a come from behind win over the LSU Tigers in College Station last Saturday. Reed completed two passes for 70 yards and rushed for 62 yards and three touchdowns. Reed came in for an ineffective Conner Weigman and it looked like the Tigers were not prepared for a running QB. Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 17 (21) “…preparation.”

LSU has a couple of weeks to get ready for its next opponent as the Tigers will host Alabama on November 9th. The SEC announced that game will kick-off at 6:30.

For the second straight week, Nicholls linebacker Jake Dalmado has been named Southland Defensive Player of the Week. Dalmado had four sacks in the win over McNeese. Dalmado has seven sacks in his last two games.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU crumbled in the 2nd half in College Station as Texas A&M outscored the Tigers 31 to 6 in the final 30 minutes on their way to a 38-23 victory. The Tigers led by 10 points at halftime, but Garrett Nussmeier threw three interceptions in the second half as the Tigers could not run the football. Coach Brian Kelly says 24 yards rushing will not cut it…

Cut 16 (14)   “…has to.”

LSU will have a couple more weeks to work on the running game as the Tigers have this Saturday off and then they’ll host Alabama on November 9th.

 

ULM’s loss on Saturday to South Alabama means the Ragin Cajuns are alone in first place in the Sun Belt West. U-L Lafayette is at Texas State tomorrow, and ULM visits Marshall on Saturday.

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It was a dismal performance by the Saints on Sunday as New Orleans lost to the Chargers 26 to 8 in Los Angeles. Spencer Rattler completed 12 out of 24 passes for 156 yards and no touchdowns before he was benched in favor of Jake Haener, who completed 9 of 17 for 122 yards. After the game, Rattler took his benching in stride.

Cut 20 (14) “…win the game.”

The Saints fall to 2-and-6 on the season and are in Charlotte next week to face the Carolina Panthers, who they beat in Week 1 in the Superdome.

 

Former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston threw three touchdown passes as he led the Browns to a come-from-behind win over the Ravens. And the sports world is buzzing over Jayden Daniels Hail Mary throw to beat the Chicago Bears.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 28

The Saints lost their sixth straight game yesterday and only scored eight points in doing so in a 26-8 loss to the Chargers. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener both played quarterback and neither could direct the Saints into the end zone. Coach Dennis Allen’s team is now 2-and-6….
cut 19 (10) “….just couldn’t overcome”
New Orleans is at Carolina next Sunday.

The Legend of Jayden Daniels continues to grow as his 52-yard Hail Mary Pass into the hands of Noah Brown set off a wild celebration as the Commanders defeated the Bears 18-15. Daniels on the play of the year in the NFL…
cut 27 (16) “…everybody”

The LSU Tigers fell eight spots to 16 in the AP Top 25 poll after getting outscored 31 to 6 in the second half and losing to Texas A-and-M 38-23. The Tigers led by ten points at halftime, but Garrett Nussmeier threw three interceptions, the defense didn’t adjust to a new quarterback and kicking field goals were an issue all night long…
cut 18 (21) “….help em out”
LSU’s next game is November 9th against Alabama.

South Alabama handed ULM its first Sun Belt loss as the Jaguars crushed the Warhawks 46-17.

Southern and Grambling both lost, Northwestern State lost again, Southeastern Louisiana fell at home and Nicholls upended McNeese 24-19.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers can have sole possession of first place in the Southeastern Conference if they can beat Texas A-and-M in College Station on Saturday night. Both teams enter the game on six-game winning streaks. The Tigers are winning thanks to good quarterback play and a defense that’s getting better. Coach Brian Kelly says his defense is gaining confidence…

Cut 13 (13) “…now.” 

Texas A-and-M will not have its starting left guard for the game. Chase Bisontis has a lower leg injury and LSU receiver Chris Hilton could make his season debut on Saturday after practicing fully on Thursday.

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Chargers, but Taysom Hill, Chris Olave, Cesar Ruiz and Pete Werner are all expected to return.

ULM will try to go 4-and-0 in the Sun Belt as they visit South Alabama. The Jaguars are 2-and-1 in league play and Saturday is homecoming for South Alabama. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent would like to spoil the Jags homecoming…

Cut 20 (17) “….homecoming”

Kick-off is at 4 PM.

It’s also homecoming for Nicholls on Saturday as the Colonels host the McNeese Cowboys. Nicholls is coming off a 20 to nothing win over Northwestern State, while the Cowboys are looking to break a two-game losing streak.

It’s also homecoming for Northwestern State. The Demons are still searching for their first win since 2022 and they’ll host Lamar.

Big game in Hammond as Southeastern Louisiana and UIW battle for first place in the Southland.

And Grambling is at Texas Southern.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

A lot is on the line Saturday night when 8th ranked LSU meets 14th ranked Texas A&M in College Station. A win for the Tigers and they’ll have the inside track on all of the other SEC Teams in getting to the conference title game and a victory also improves their odds of making the college football playoff. But Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier says the focus is on beating the Aggies…

Cut 16 (16)   “…extracurriculars”

Nussmeier could have one of his key receivers back. Chris Hilton was a full go at practice yesterday and is listed as questionable for tomorrow night’s game, but Coach Kelly says it’s more about the conditioning than the injury.

Wide receiver Chris Olave was a full participant at practice yesterday, a good sign Olave is over his concussion and can play against the Chargers this Sunday.

ULM is about a touchdown underdog at South Alabama tomorrow. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent expects a close game…

Cut 19 (18) “….where we are at”  

The Warhawks and the Cajuns are tied for first place in the Sun Belt West as both teams are 3-and-0. South Alabama is 2-and-1 in league play.

In other college action…Tulane will look to stay undefeated in the American Athletic as the Green Wave head to North Texas. Southeastern Louisiana and 10th ranked U-I-W will battle for first place in the Southland when the two teams meet in Hammond. The Lions are allowing 13 points a game in Southland play. McNeese is at Nicholls and Northwestern State hosts Lamar.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The 8th ranked LSU Tigers leave today for tomorrow night’s SEC showdown against 14th Texas A&M. LSU Coach Brian Kelly is impressed with the Aggies defense…

Cut 17 (16) “…that’s in place”

A-and-M has two potential first round picks on its defensive line, Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart.

Several Saints players who have been injured, fully participated in yesterday’s practice and that includes Cesar Ruiz, Chris Olave and Taysom Hill. Quarterback Spencer Ratter is excited to have these guys back for Sunday’s Chargers game…

Cut 30 (15) “we’re all excited”

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ULM is about a touchdown underdog at South Alabama tomorrow. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent expects a close game…

Cut 19 (18) “….where we are at”  

The Warhawks and the Cajuns are tied for first place in the Sun Belt West as both teams are 3-and-0. South Alabama is 2-and-1 in league play.

In other college action…Tulane will look to stay undefeated in the American Athletic as the Green Wave head to North Texas. Southeastern Louisiana and 10th ranked U-I-W will battle for first place in the Southland when the two teams meet in Hammond. The Lions are allowing 13 points a game in Southland play. McNeese is at Nicholls and Northwestern State hosts Lamar,

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s improved defense is a reason why the Tigers are 6-and-1, 3-and-0 in the SEC heading into Saturday night’s matchup with Texas A-and-M. Safety Sage Ryan says after a tough season last year, he’s glad to be part of this defense…

Cut 20 (15) “…off the field.”

The Tigers will have to contend with the Aggies ground game. A-and-M is 12th in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging 219 yards a contest.

The Pelicans won their season opener over the Chicago Bulls 123 to 111 last night, but they’ve lost starting point guard Dejounte Murray as he fractured his left hand in the fourth quarter and he’s out indefinitely. Zion Williamson, who missed last night with an illness, is expected to play tomorrow night in Portland.

The LSU women’s basketball team is ranked seventh in the coaches poll and they have an exhibition game tonight against Xavier of New Orleans.

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ULM is a 7.5 point underdog heading into their road matchup against South Alabama on Saturday. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent expects a close game…

Cut 19 (18) “…where were at”

Kick-off is at 4 PM on Saturday.

Huge upset in Conference USA Action last night as Kennesaw State took down Liberty 27 to 24. It’s the first win for Kennesaw as an FBS School. Jacksonville State was a winner over Middle Tennessee. Tonight…Georgia Southern is at Old Dominion. The Eagles lead the Sun Belt East Division with a 3-and-0 record, while the Monarchs are 2-and-1.

Tonight in the NFL, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings visit the Los Angeles Chargers.

LRN PM Newscall October 24

Resale ticket websites are busy with activity as pop star Taylor Swift is set for three performances at the Superdome starting on Friday.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Political discussions can get very uncomfortable, and this presidential election season is no exception. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “Eras Tour” continues this weekend with three shows at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, from Friday to Sunday.  Stubhub.com spokesperson Joseph Bocanegra says the Eras Tour surpasses her last concert tour in 2018…

Cut 3 (08) “…certainly up there.”

Launched in 2023, the “Eras Tour” has set numerous records, including surpassing $1 billion in sales, making Swift the first artist to achieve this milestone.  Bocanegra says the Saturday night show is most in demand…

Cut 4 (07) “…thousand dollars to get in.”

The tour has captivated fans globally, cementing Swift’s legacy as one of the most successful touring artists in history.  Bocanegra says Eras Tour is bringing international travelers to New Orleans…

Cut 5 (12) “…26 other countries”

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Discussing politics is always a stress-inducing activity, and this presidential election season is certainly no exception. Friendships and family relationships have been destroyed over political differences. Dr. Michelle Moore, the chief of psychology with LSU Health New Orleans, says people should enter such discussions with open minds and to listen carefully to the opposing view.

Cut 6 (16) “…think that way.”

Moore says if you can’t do that, the best thing to do is to avoid those situations altogether.

Cut 7 (11) “…engage with people.”

Thanksgiving is coming up, just a few short weeks after the presidential election, in which there’s no guarantee that the outcome will be known by then. Moore says hosts may want to consider setting boundaries as to what to talk about and what not to talk about at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Cut 8 (14) “…moderate that environment.”

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Louisiana has recently adopted a new 10-point grading scale, transitioning from the previous 7-point system due to House Bill 424. Bill Author, Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says this change aims to standardize grading practices and align Louisiana more closely with many other states.

Cut 9 (10)  “…ccalculations accurate.”

This shift provides students with a broader range to achieve higher grades, potentially enhancing their GPAs and academic performance. Phelps says it also aims to create a more equitable grading system across the state, making it easier for students who transfer between schools or states.

Cut 10 (06) “…across the nation.”

For students, this change means increased opportunities for higher grades, clearer grading standards, and simplified transcript evaluations for college applications. Phelps says she hopes the new standard will allow Louisiana to be more competitive when it comes to comparing Louisiana’s education rankings with the rest of the country.

Cut 11 (06) “…is that beneficial?”

Phelps says despite these benefits, the importance of hard work, early identification of struggles, and seeking help remains paramount for academic success and resilience in life.

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A special session will likely begin in the first week of November as Governor Jeff Landry will ask lawmakers to approve his ambitious tax reform plan that would lower state income taxes for most, but widen the sales tax base. Jason DeCuir from Advantus Consulting is an expert on tax law and says legislators are taking a close look at all the new services that would be taxed under the governor’s plan….

Cut 12 (08) “…be taxed.”

Landry’s plan calls for the state’s 4.45 percent sales tax to be expanded to several other services, like lawn care, pet grooming, used car sales and lobbying activities. DeCuir says this is a big change to the state’s tax code and legislators are taking a long look at it…

Cut 13 (11) “…parish rate is.” 

DeCuir says legislators have been studying rough drafts of the bills that make up the governor’s tax plan. The reform also includes changes to Article Seven in the state constitution and that’s drawing a lot of questions too…

Cut 14 (12) “…the constitution.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is happy about his two-year contract extension that’s worth 24.5 million dollars. Kamara says it’s not about the money, his main priority is to remain a Saint…

Cut 16 (16)   “…anywhere else.”

The Saints will now try to end their five-game losing streak as they face the Chargers in L-A. Spencer Rattler is expected to make another start at quarterback.

The Pelicans started a new season last night with a 123 to 11 win over the Chicago Bulls in the Smoothie King Center. Zion Williamson missed the game with an illness, but Brandon Ingram stepped up and scored 33 points. But point guard Dejounte Murray suffered a fractured hand and will likely miss some time. The Pels are at Portland tomorrow night.

Eighth ranked LSU will take a six-game winning streak into College Station on Saturday night when they battle 14th ranked Texas A&M. The Tigers defense is getting better and safety Sage Ryan says they want to build on last week’s performance against Arkansas…

Cut 18 (16)   “…we have.”

Texas A&M’s strength is its ground game. The Aggies are 12th in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging 219 yards a game.

In other action on Saturday…Southeastern Louisiana and UIW battle for first place in the Southland Conference in Hammond. Nicholls hosts McNeese. The Cowboys have not won in Thibodaux since 2015. Northwestern State hosts Lamar for homecoming. And ULM returns from a bye week to take on South Alabama in Mobile.