Updated AM Newscall for July 10

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the Atlantic tarpon is a declining species, but that didn’t stop the governor from vetoing the bill that would have put some protections on it. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amir “Aura” Khan is headed to LSU. The viral McNeese basketball student manager officially joined Will Wade’s staff. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly illegally selling native turtles online. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A conservation organization that represents sportsmen is disappointed Governor Landry vetoed legislation that would have designated Atlantic tarpon as a Louisiana saltwater gamefish. Rick Owens with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation says the purpose of the legislation is to preserve a piece of Louisiana’s recreational identity before it fades further.

Cut 4 (04) “…had decades ago.”

Owens says Louisiana waters once supported numerous tarpon clubs, tournaments and seasonal fisheries that attracted anglers from across the Gulf Coast.

In his veto message, Governor Landry said there is no real harvest pressure on tarpon and nothing in science suggests the state needs to put limits or restrictions to protect it, when it is primarily a catch-and-release fish.

But Owens says the LDWF lists the “silver king” as vulnerable and at a moderate risk of going extinct.

Cut 5 (09) “…fish to release.”

Landry says House Bill 688 is a solution in search of a problem. Owens says the legislation that was vetoed would have placed tarpon within the same general management framework Louisiana already uses for other recreational species, including red drum, speckled trout, and black bass.

Cut 6 (11) “…for the tarpon.”

The House and Senate approved the legislation unanimously; and since it did not become law, Louisiana is the only state that does not formally recognize tarpon as a recreational gamefish.

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Viral McNeese basketball student manager Amir Khan is following Will Wade to LSU. He’ll join Wade’s LSU staff in the same role. Khan says he first became a student manager because he grew up as an LSU fan watching Wade.

Cut 7 (10) “…lot to me.”

The Lake Charles native gained massive popularity during the 2025 NCAA tournament, leading the Cowboys out of the tunnel with a boombox. He originally transferred to NC State when Wade took the job there last season but returned to McNeese when his class credits didn’t transfer over.

Cut 8 (08) “…season with McNeese.”

Khan became the first student manager to sign an NIL deal during McNeese’s 2024 tournament run. His goal for his senior year is to help other managers at LSU, McNeese and around the country land deals of their own. As for the boombox making an appearance, we’ll have to wait and see.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the other stuff.”

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A St. Landry Parish woman is cited for allegedly selling native turtles online. Captain Scott Dupre with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the legislature recently passed a law making it illegal to sell native turtles in the state.

Cut 10 (08) “…to protect it.”

LDWF agents got a tip that 32-year-old Sydney Broussard of Eunice was selling turtles online. They found that she was selling red eared slider turtles for eight dollars apiece and an alligator snapping turtle for 30 dollars. Captain Dupre says Broussard faces a 350-dollar fine for each turtle she was selling.

Cut 11 (10) “…responsible for restitution.”

Agents seized the turtles and returned them to the water. Dupre says while it’s illegal to sell native turtles in Louisiana, it’s not illegal to possess them, but there are limits.

Cut 12 (08) “…alligator snapping turtle.”

There are also prohibited turtle species, which are illegal to possess at all.

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Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have released their initial findings from their RURAL Health study in Franklin Parish. Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says some of the more notable findings include elevated rates of two key health factors.

Cut 13 (13)  “…others like diabetes.”

(The study shows that Franklin Parish has elevated rates of obesity and high blood pressure.) The RURAL Health study compares rural communities to other rural communities, as opposed to urban communities. Dr. Broyles says these findings underscore the importance of having strong health care in all communities, including in rural areas.

Cut 14 (13) “…address these conditions.”

These findings come on the heels of the initial findings from an earlier study in Assumption Parish. Broyles says now that we know the what, now the job for the researchers is to figure out the why.

Cut 15 (13) “…do about it.”

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The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft is this weekend, and two LSU baseball stars should hear their names called on Saturday. Center fielder Derek Curiel is expected to be a top 15 pick in the first round, while right fielder Jake Brown is a potential second round pick as he’s ranked by ESPN.com as the 64th best player in the draft. Brown will spend draft day with his family in Sulphur.

Cut 16 (11) “…in my life.”

Brown’s junior season at LSU ended prematurely when he broke the hamate bone in his wrist on April 19th. Brown was one of the Tigers best hitters, hitting .309 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. He was able to swing again a week after LSU’s season ended in the SEC Tournament.

Cut 17 (15) “…I’m feeling great.”

Brown loved being a Tiger and could have returned for his senior season, but he’s ready to play professional baseball.

Cut 18 (11) “…draft this year.”

Brown will likely receive a seven-figure signing bonus.

4:30 LRN Newscast

One U.S. House district’s race is getting crowded, while potential candidates in another are waiting to see what a certain someone does. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An invitation has been sent out to LSU’s 40 biggest athletic donors to meet at the governor’s mansion during the first week of August to discuss funding the university’s athletics programs. According to the event invitation, an alternative revenue generating opportunity that is the first of its kind will be presented to those in attendance.

 

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is looking into key drivers of chronic disease in rural parishes. They just completed a study looking at Franklin Parish, and found the percentage of adults who are overweight is significantly higher than the state average and so are the rates of high blood pressure and hypertension. Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says the next task is to figure out why….

Cut 15 (11) “….do about it”

Much of Louisiana is seeing daily rain showers, which leaves standing water. Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain says if you have standing water on your property, get rid of it…

Cut 20 (14) “….where mosquitos breed”

3:30 LRN Newscast

The fifth Congressional district race now has its fourth Republican contender, with Stewart Cathey joining Gabe Firment, Michael Echols and Misti Cordell. The big question is what Blake Miguez will do, whether he will run in the fifth or the sixth district. As for that sixth district, Greg Hilburn, a political reporter with the USA Today Network, says the field there so far is very thin.

Cut 8 (09) “…he would prefer.”

Current Sixth district Congressman Cleo Fields has not decided if he’ll run for re-election in the newly drawn district that favors a Republican to win.

Louisianians no longer need to get a vehicle inspection sticker, but how does the new QR code work? Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the QR code sticker will go in the same spot as your current inspection sticker.

Cut 3 (12) “…displayed anyway.”

 

Individuals who are acting as agents and representing college and high school athletes with their NIL deals must now register with the state. Attorney General Liz Murrill says recently approved legislation gives her office the tools to ensure those who seek to profit from athletes are held to rigorous standards of conduct.

Cut 12 (09) “…in this state.”

Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have released their initial findings from their RURAL Health study in Franklin Parish. Lead researcher Dr. Stephanie Broyles says some of the more notable findings include elevated rates of two key health factors.

Cut 13 (13)  “…others like diabetes.”

Dr. Broyles says these findings underscore the importance of having strong health care in all communities, including in rural areas.

LRN PM Newscall

You are no longer required to get an inspection sticker for your vehicle in Louisiana. Kace Kieschnick has the new process.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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One U.S. House district’s race is getting crowded, while potential candidates in another are waiting to see what a certain someone does. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisianians no longer need to get a vehicle inspection sticker, but how does the new QR code work? State Senator Alan Seabaugh says the QR code sticker will go in the same spot as your current inspection sticker.

Cut 3 (12) “…displayed anyway.”

QR code stickers are not required until January 1, and Governor Jeff Landry has issued a grace period for the rest of this year, meaning you can no longer be ticketed for a missing or expired inspection sticker. Seabaugh says the QR code will work differently for law enforcement.

Cut 4 (12) “…by law to have.”

Instead of paying ten-dollars for an annual inspection, you will purchase the QR code for six-dollars as part of the cost of renewing your vehicle registration. Seabaugh says the OMV stickers will send you the sticker in the mail.

Cut 5 (10) “…vehicle registration.”

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Another Republican announces his intention to run for the district five U.S. House seat. The latest is Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey. Greg Hilburn, a political reporter for the USA Today Network, says Cathey is the third Republican state legislator to enter the district five race.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the race.”

So far, no Democrats have announced their candidacies in the heavily Republican district. Hilburn says there is one big question surrounding the race.

Cut 7 (12) “…Baton Rouge-based.”

(The big question is whether Blake Miguez will run in the fifth or the sixth district). Hilburn notes that Miguez has moved to Baton Rouge, which is now in the sixth district. Speaking of the sixth district, Hilburn says the field there so far is very thin.

Cut 8 (09) “…he would prefer.”

Qualifying is August 5th through the 7th; and due to the late redrawing of the congressional map, the election will revert to the open primary, and it will be on November 3rd.

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We’re now in the time of year when something outside is really bugging you – mosquitoes. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says this is prime mosquito season; and as such, you need to take every precaution possible when venturing outside, especially at night.

Cut 9 (08)  “…sort of thing.”

Not only is this prime mosquito season, but it’s also prime encephalitis season. Strain says because of that, you also need to protect any animals on your property.

Cut 10 (08) “…for your horses.” 

Strain says mosquitos breed in standing water; so especially with all the rain that we’ve been getting lately, if you have standing water on your property, get rid of it at all costs.

Cut 11 (14) “…where mosquitos breed.”\

2:30 LRN Newscast

You can add Stewart Cathey’s name to the list of district five U.S. House Republican candidates that also includes Gabe Firment, Michael Echols and Misti Cordell. Greg Hilburn with the USA Today Network says there’s one big question surrounding the race.

Cut 7 (12) “…Baton Rouge-based.”

So far, Rick Edmonds is the only declared candidate in district six.

One of the big pieces of legislation approved in the 2026 session was the bill that eliminates the inspection sticker and it will be replaced with by a QR code that will cost motorists six dollars every year, starting January 1st. Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the OMV will send you the sticker in the mail…

Cut 5 (10) “….vehicle registration”

And law enforcement is not longer writing tickets for not having an up to date vehicle inspection sticker.

 

The state department of transportation has raised the speed limit by 10 miles per hour on the Pineville Expressway. Motorists are now allowed to go up to 60-miles per hour. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan on why it was raised…

Cut 14 (14) “…that’s occurring already”

The new speed limit is in effect right now.

Much of Louisiana has been seeing daily rain showers, which is leaving standing water. Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain says if you have standing water on your property, get rid of it at all costs…

Cut 11 (14) “….where mostquitos breed”

12:30 LRN Newscast

One U.S. House district’s race is getting crowded, while potential candidates in another are waiting to see what a certain someone does. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says retired Judge Robert Chaisson will preside over the criminal case against Attorney General Liz Murrill. All 12 New Orleans Criminal District Court judges recused themselves. The state supreme court has issued a stay on the case and it remains to be seen if they will allow the case to move forward.

 

There’s a new Louisiana law that requires agents who represent college or high school athletes in negotiating NIL deals, to register with the state.  And there’s a portal on the Attorney General’s website where they can register.  AG Liz Murril…

Cut 22 (11) “…require this registration.”

A key requirement of the new law is mandatory background check and pre-registration education. Every agent applying for registration must complete the program before an application can be approved.

We’re now in the time of year when something outside is really bugging you – mosquitoes. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says this is prime mosquito season; and as such, you need to take every precaution possible when venturing outside, especially at night.

Cut 9 (08)  “…sort of thing.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Louisianians no longer need to get a vehicle inspection sticker, but how does the new QR code work? Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh says the QR code sticker will go in the same spot as your current inspection sticker.

Cut 3 (12) “…displayed anyway.”

QR code stickers are not required until January 1, and Governor Jeff Landry has issued a grace period for the rest of this year, meaning you can no longer be ticketed for a missing or expired inspection sticker.

Another Republican announces his intention to run for the district five U.S. House seat. The latest is Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey. Greg Hilburn, a political reporter for the USA Today Network, says Cathey is the third Republican state legislator to enter the district five race.

Cut 6 (13) “…in the race.”

Qualifying is August 5th to the 7 for the open primary that will be held November third.

 

Volunteers from Minuteman Disaster Response are in St. Landry Parish helping flood victims get back on their feet. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

FEMA has opened disaster recovery centers in St. Landry. St. Tammany and Terrebonne Parish. They are located at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library in Houma, the Towers Administration Building in Slidell and the Town of Washington Community Center in Washington.  The center in Masura at the LSU Ag Center will close on Friday.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The North Louisiana Criminalistic Laboratory found that nearly one in three tablets with legitimate drug imprints bought on the street were counterfeit. Fentanyl was the most common substance found in the fake pills. Kenton Leigh, the lab’s director of toxicology and chemistry, says any pill obtained outside of a pharmacy should be considered lethal.

Cut 6 (09) “…overdose and worse.”

Louisiana ranks among the top states in the nation for overdose deaths.

Minuteman Disaster Response is helping flood victims in St. Landry Parish. Tropical Storm Arthur reportedly flooded nearly 700 homes in Avoyelles and St. Landry parishes. One of the volunteers, Eric Burkes, says as mold starts to grow, items become more unsalvageable

Cut 8 (12) “…really takes over.”

Residents who experienced damage as a result of Arthur in St. Landry, Avoyelles, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes can apply for disaster assistance with FEMA.

Individuals who are acting as agents and representing college and high school athletes with their NIL deals must now register with the state. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the Athlete Agent Registration Portal is now active on the A-G’s website. It’s the result of a law passed this year and Murrill says the legislation gives her office the tools to ensure those who seek to profit from athletes are held to rigorous standards of conduct.

Cut 12 (09) “…in this state.”

Murrill will have more on this new legislation as we get closer to the college and high school football seasons.

There will not be a veto session. Enough ballots were submitted electronically by legislators that the veto session was cancelled. One was not expected. Governor Landry vetoed six bills including measures to increase the compensation the state gives to a person who is wrongfully imprisoned. Landry also vetoed a bill to allow for new regulations of Atlantic tarpon fishing.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The MLB Draft is this weekend. LSU coach Jay Johnson says up to 13 players in his incoming freshman class of 23 commits could head to professional baseball, but he hopes as few as six decide not to come to campus.

Cut 17 (17) “…high school ranks.”

The first four rounds of the draft are on Saturday and rounds five through 20 are on Sunday. LSU centerfielder Derek Curiel could be a top ten pick.

The Saints have released their training camp schedule. The Black and Gold report on July 28th. The first practice open to the public is two days later. They will have nine practices that will be open to the public in New Orleans, including a joint practice with the Jaguars on August 13th.

 

The SWAC released its preseason all-conference teams. Southern has two players on it, defensive back Herman Brister and running back Trey Holly who rushed for 869 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Grambling has three players on the All-SWAC team, offensive lineman Alexander Vigil, Linebacker Marcellius Johnson and Sepcialist Jay’Shaun Johnson who returned a kick for a touchdown last season.

Trent Partridge has been named the new softball coach at Southeastern Louisiana. Partridge had a lot of success at LSU Alexandria, where he led the Generals to a 147-62 record and a couple of Red River Athletic Conference championships and three N-A-I-A Tournament appearances.

The Pelicans begin play in the NBA Summer League today as New Orleans will face Minnesota at 2:30.

Angel Reese was named to her third-straight WNBA All-Star team. The former LSU star is averaging almost 15 points and 12 rebounds a game this season for the Atlanta Dream.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A state lawmaker has passed away. Baton Rouge Senator Larry Selders collapsed and died while attending his son’s football practice last night. The 44-year-old Democrat served in the state legislature since 2020, starting in the House and moving over to the state senate in 2025 to replace Cleo Fields Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says Selders’ was a social worker when not representing his district……

cut 5 (11) “…and outcomes”

The Colorado State hurricane forecast team is now predicting a well below normal season with nine named storms.  Senior Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach says in April they were predicting 13 named storms, in June they dropped that total to eleven and now they believe this year will produce nine named storms and that includes Tropical Storm Arthur…

Cut 11 (12) “…ocean look like”

Klotzbach says they have more confidence an El Nino will reduce storm activity.

 

Federal assistance is now available to homeowners and renters in four parishes who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Here’s a story that you might only hear about in Louisiana. LDWF has cited a Eunice woman for illegally selling turtles in St. Landry Parish. Thirty-two-year-old Sydney Broussard was allegedly selling red eared slider turtles for eight dollars a piece and an alligator snapping turtle for 30-dollars. She faces up to a 350-dollar fine.