LRN AM Newscall January 9

A quarterback that LSU was reportedly interested in signing has decided he will not transfer. So where do Lane Kiffin and company go from here? Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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King Cake season is underway in Louisiana, and Colleen Crain says a healthy option is once again available.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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I hope you took advantage of the great weather this week, because change is coming by the end of this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two organizations that advocate for children and families in Louisiana join forces. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, effective at the beginning of this year. LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the two organizations had worked closely together for years, including launching the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative in 2021.

Cut 4 (13) “…Geaux Far Louisiana work.”

Sonnier says the merger of the two policy organizations will help it continue the course they had been on for years.

Cut 5 (09) “…with successful children.”

Sonnier says the merger will be beneficial from a financial standpoint as well, with the organization being able to maximize the limited funds it has.

Cut 6 (08) “…State of Louisiana.”

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A high-profile quarterback that LSU reportedly had interest in signing has decided to stay at his current school. Demond Williams Jr. announced on Tuesday night that he was entering the transfer portal, but last night he announced he’s staying at Washington. Earlier this week, it seemed like former Arizona State Q-B Sam Leavitt was the Tigers top target. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU could see if Leavitt is still interested in the Tigers, but there is a health concern. 

Cut 7 (07) “…the summer, probably.”

Leavitt has been visiting Tennessee since Wednesday after spending a couple of days at LSU earlier this week.

Guilbeau says the transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU still has not signed a quarterback…

Cut 8 (09) “…at Ole Miss.”

If Kiffin fails to land Leavitt, he’s either going to have to dig deep into the portal or sign someone out of high school, since LSU does not have a single scholarship quarterback on the roster at this time. Guilbeau says Kiffin and company have proven that they can work magic with quarterbacks.

Cut 9 (09)  “…quite a quarterback.”

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon. Clark threw for 23-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 641 yards and 11 touchdowns for the FSC.

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It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit says Ochsner Health introduced the healthier King Cake about four years ago.

Cut 10 (08) “…the grocery stores.”

The Eat Fit King Cake is grain-free – it’s made with an almond flour and a coconut flour, giving it the texture of a bundt-style cake. It uses a plant-based sweetener and has no artificial colors. Page says it’s also guaranteed gluten-free.

Cut 11 (09) “…good on that.”

Page says the Eat Fit King Cake is available at more places than ever this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…one in Arkansas.”

They’re also available at all Ochsner cafes. To find a retailer near you, go to Eat Fit King Cake-dot-com.

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I hope you enjoyed the heavenly temperatures over the last few days, because potentially severe storms are on the way. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm risk starts today.

Cut 13 (06)  “…winds and tornadoes.”

All this, as a cold front comes through the state. Keim says tomorrow will be a transitional day before temperatures really start to plummet. 

Cut 14 (10) “…Friday and Saturday.”

Keim says as you make your way into work in the early part of next week, you’ll want to bring your jacket with you, as overnight lows will get down into the 30s.

Cut 15 (09) “…in those temperatures.”

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Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity (2x).”

 

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

 

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.” 

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Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”

 

Cut 20 (12) “…back to winning.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has picked up a couple of commitments from defensive linemen in the transfer portal. One of the them is Malik Blocton from Auburn, who is ranked as one of the top ten defensive lineman in the portal. He’s six-foot-three 300 pounds and registered 34 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks across two seasons. Former South Carolina edge rusher Jaylen Brown has also committed to LSU. Brown did not play for the Gamecocks in 2025 because of a knee suffered last spring. He started his college career at Missouri and appeared in five games for the Tigers.

Former Union Parish football star Trey Holly says he is staying at Southern. Holly had a good freshman campaign for the Jaguars, rushing for 869 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s still facing gun charges in Union Parish for a shooting that took place in his hometown of Farmerville two years ago. Holly’s trial is set to begin in late April.

One of the main reasons the Saints feel good about their future is the play of Tyler Shough, who went five and four as a starter during his rookie season. General Manager Mickey Loomis….

Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity” (2x)

Shough was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December-January.

Tonight Ole Miss takes on Miami in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. Rebels Coach and Hammond native Pete Golding talked about why the team continues to have success despite Lane Kiffin leaving the Rebels for LSU…

Cut 19 (20) “…the tunnel”

Kick off is at 6:30.

11:30 LRN Newscast

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

 

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.

Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”

Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, says a player from Baton Rouge won one-point-one million dollars on a penny slot machine. The Wheel of Fortune game on the main casino floor at Beau Rivage is a statewide progression. It’s linked to other Mississippi casinos and each spin increases the total jackpot.

9:30 LRN Newscast

If you bought your auto insurance policy from Flo, your premium will likely go down at renewal time. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (25) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Construction began this week on replacing Tech Drive, also known as LA 544 overpass over I-20 in Ruston. The 39-million dollar project is expected to take until late 2029 to be completed. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in the meantime, motorists can continue to use the existing LA 544 overpass…

Cut 5 (10) “….to do that’

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 Louisiana Black Bears were harvested during the state’s legal black bear hunting season that took place last month. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager, John Hanks, says a bear that is well over 300 pounds supplies 200 plates of food, and he says bear fat is also useful.

Cut 9 (06)   “…waterproof their boots.” 

A deer shot and killed by a hunter on the Richard K Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, bringing the total number of CWD detections in wild deer up to 49. CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. Deer Program Manager Jonthan Bordelon says cases of neurodegenerative disease of White-tailed deer in Louisiana have been confined to the Delta Parishes…

Cut 12 (10) “…north-south pattern”

CWD is 100-percent fatal in affected deer.

8:30 LRN Newscast

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 black bears were harvested during a 16-day hunting season in December. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, say it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years because the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Cut 8 (10) “…was 341 pounds.”

The largest bear harvested was 565 pounds.

 

Governor Landry says he will travel to Greenland in a couple months as part of his new side hustle as special envoy to Greenland. It comes as President Trump has ramped up talk of acquiring the island nation from Denmark. Both Denmark and Greenland are staunchly opposed to the idea. Landry told Brian Kilmeade of Fox News that the United States could do more for Greenland than Denmark.

Cut 28 (09) “…and partner.”

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.

Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”

Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Trump Administration has published new dietary guidelines, and it recommends that Americans should eat more whole foods and protein and stay away from processed foods and added sugar. The guidelines also suggest Americans should choose whole-food sources of saturated fat—such as meat and whole fat dairy. Cathy Champagne, a nutrition professor at LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says while whole fat dairy may be good for some, it may cause complications for others…

Cut 14 (07) “…. advantageous to you”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 Louisiana Black Bears were harvested during the state’s legal black bear hunting season that took place last month. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager, John Hanks, says a bear that is well over 300 pounds supplies 200 plates of food, and he says bear fat is also useful.

Cut 9 (06)   “…waterproof their boots.” 

 

A major bridge replacement project in Ruston is now underway. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

If you have Progressive Auto Insurance, you could see your rates go down this year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved a six-point-six percent average rate decrease for Progressive Security Insurance Company customers and a four-percent average decrease for Progressive Paloverde Insurance. The rate decreases will impact 470-thousand policyholders.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is the College Football semifinal game between Ole Miss and Miami. It is being played in Glendale, Arizona, the site of the Fiesta Bowl. There are two LSU coaches that will be helping the Rebels tonight. They are offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and running backs coach Kevin Smith. Head coach Pete Golding says offensive coaches Joe Cox and George McDonald are now full-time with LSU.

The Saints are getting ready for the offseason and there is a sense of optimism in the air because of a strong finish. General Manager Loomis says winning a division title is one of the organization’s biggest goals for next season, but he expects the team to do even more.

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

Loomis feels good about quarterback Tyler Shough going forward, but it remains to be seen if aging veterans Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara will be a part of the 2026 Saints.

 

LSU landed a commitment on Wednesday from one of the top receivers in the portal, and he has experience making plays in the Southeastern Conference. Eugene “Tre” Wilson is leaving Florida for the Tigers after catching 107 passes for 1,043 yards and ten touchdowns after three seasons with the Gators. The Tigers have signed ten players out of the portal, four of them are receivers.

A high school football star from Baton Rouge has signed to play at Tulane. Quarterback Zeon Chriss has signed with Tulane after spending last season at Houston. Chriss signed with U-L Lafayette after leading Madison Prep to a state championship in 2020.

The Pelicans lost their ninth straight last night as they fell to the Atlanta Hawks 117 to 100. New Orleans is now 8-31 on the season.

The 12th ranked LSU women’s basketball team looks for its win in SEC play tonight as they visit a one-loss Georgia team.

On the men’s side, Louisiana Tech hosts a good Liberty team. The Ragin Cajuns host ULM. Both teams have just three wins on the season.

LRN Newscast 6:30

New federal nutrition guidelines have been released. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Police is investigating a fatal shooting in Ville Platte involving an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy. According to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office the incident stemmed from a tip received about illegal drug transactions. A person was shot and died at a local hospital. No deputies were injured during the incident.

 

Work is underway to replace the L-A 544 bridge also known as Tech Drive over I-20 in Ruston. State transportation officials say the bridge was originally built in 1963 and has outlived its usefulness. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the overpass replacement is not the only component of this four-year, 39-million-dollar project.

Cut 4 (05) “…traffic flow, too.”

There will be two roundabouts north of I-20 and one south of I-20, and they will replace the traffic lights that are currently at those intersections.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters could legally hunt black bears.

Cut 7 (14) “…that area.”

Twenty-six tags were issued for the lottery hunt. Hanks says it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years because the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry tells Fox News Radio he will travel to Greenland in a couple of months as part of his new part-time job as special envoy to Greenland. Landry says he wants to talk with the residents of the arctic island about the benefits of having a closer relationship with the United States…

Cut 6 (09) “…I’m going.”

President Trump has said Greenland is important to the United States for national security purposes. But Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Another auto insurance company is lowering its rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he’s approved Progressive Security Insurance Company’s request for a 6.6 percent average rate decrease on over 270-thousand private passenger auto insurance policyholders. Progressive Paloverde Insurance Company will also lower its rates by an average of four percent. Temple says Progressive told regulators the rate reductions are primarily driven by a reduction in frequency of claims.

 

 

New Orleans is now back in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl. So what are the city’s chances of landing the game that year?

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager John Hanks says there were three different areas where hunters were could legally hunt black bears…

Cut 7 (15) “…that area.”

The largest bear harvested was 565 pounds.

LRN PM Newscall January 7

New Orleans is now back in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl. So what are the city’s chances of landing the game that year? Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry plans to attend a dogsledding event in Greenland. Jeff Palermo reports it’s part of his new part-time job as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Now that New Orleans is back in the running to host the 2031 Super Bowl, what are the city’s chances of landing the big game for that year? NOLA-dot-com columnist Jeff Duncan says like all other candidates, the city will have to make a strong pitch to the NFL – and he says the NFL is seeking high-end hospitality.

Cut 3 (12) “…events like that.”

And then, of course, there’s the fact that by the time the 2031 Super Bowl comes around, the Superdome could potentially be the second oldest stadium in the NFL. Duncan says that won’t be a factor – for now.

Cut 4 (12) “…a new stadium.”

Duncan says with many of the new stadiums being indoor stadiums, they could present significant roadblocks in New Orleans’ quest to host future Super Bowls if the city does not have a plan to eventually replace the Superdome.

Cut 5 (09) “…trying to fight.”

If New Orleans fails to land the 2031 Super Bowl, the city’s next opportunity will not come until 2038, given scheduling conflicts due to major conventions and Mardi Gras. A vote from the NFL owners on who will host the Super Bowl in 2031 is expected sometime this year.

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Governor Jeff Landry tells Fox News Radio he will travel to Greenland in a couple of months as part of his new part-time job as special envoy to Greenland. Landry says he wants to talk with the residents of the arctic island about the benefits of having a closer relationship with the United States…

Cut 6 (09) “…I’m going.”

President Trump has said Greenland is important to the United States for national security purposes. But Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Landry says the case he will make to Greenlanders is that they should be independent from Denmark…

Cut 7 (10) “…United States.”

Denmark is staunchly opposed to the U-S taking over Greenland and Greenland opposes the idea of the U.S. buying or acquiring their land. Landry told Brian Kilmeade of Fox News that the United States could do more for Greenland than Denmark…

Cut 8 (09) “…and partner.”

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Three people lost their lives in an early morning crash at the major intersection of E. Broussard Rd. and Johnson Street in Lafayette Tuesday, Lafayette Police Sgt Robin Green…

Cut 9 (12)  “…Johnston Street.”

Both the second and third vehicles were stopped at traffic lights preparing to turn. The driver of the first vehicle was killed along with a mother and daughter who were in the second vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

Sgt Green says the driver of the first vehicle who died in the accident has been identified as 21-year-old Joseph Prejean of Lafayette.

Cut 10 (09) “..also died.” 

The mother and daughter, both of Duson have been identified as 36-year-old Cherita Washington and 17-year-old Chase Washington. The driver of the third vehicle who also sustained injuries is listed as stable.

The crash occurred very early Tuesday morning, around 5:00 am. With the warm winter weather, early morning fog has decreased visibility on Louisiana roadways, but Sgt Green says fog was not a factor in this crash.

Cut 11 (04) “…to occur.”

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For the second year in a row, Louisiana is number-one in the nation for road rage incidents, ranging from aggressive driving to dangerous interactions, including gunfire. The ranking comes from consumeraffairs.com. LSU transportation expert Brian Wolshon says it’s easy, and sometimes natural, to be frustrated on the roadway – but he says people should always expect the unexpected.

Cut 12 (06) “…that’s difficult.”

Speed is another factor in people losing their cool on the roadways. Using the example of driving from Baton Rouge to New Orleans International Airport, Wolshon says speeding accomplishes nothing.

Cut 13 (09)  “…or four minutes.”

Wolshon says the best advice he can give drivers is to take a chill pill before getting behind the wheel.

Cut 14 (07) “…accommodate other people.”