7:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics, and department staff can no longer promote seasonal vaccines. In a letter posted to the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman also take aim at the CDC’s response to the COVID pandemic. Dr. Wyche says the purpose of the directive is for the department to, in his words, get back to the basics.

Cut 7 (13) “…interests in mind.”

Parish health units will still have vaccines, but LDH says it should be a patient’s healthcare provider helping an individual decide whether to get a vaccine.

A group called Louisiana Families for Vaccines is concerned L-D-H’s new policy on vaccines will hurt vulnerable populations and herd immunity.

It’s Valentine’s Day. Sean Richardson reports it’s a big weekend for the restaurant industry…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Ground has been broken on a 500-million dollar manufacturing facility in Jefferson Parish. UBE C1 Chemicals America will provide the first domestic US supply of two components needed to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries. Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission CEO Jerry Bologna…

Cut 11 (08) “….now in 2025”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

In his introductory press conference, new Saints Coach Kellen Moore called New Orleans an incredible place and he can’t wait to get going. Moore also talked about the importance of stressing opposing offenses…

Cut 17 (22) “…super powers”

Moore will have a big decision to make on whether quarterback Derek Carr will return next season, but former LSU Tiger Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming back on a one-year deal.

The Pelicans ended a ten-game losing streak by beating Sacramento in overtime. Louisiana Tech shot 34-percent from the field in a loss at home to Kennesaw State 69-47. ULM also lost to Texas State.

It’s opening day for college baseball. LSU is a consensus preseason Top 5 pick, despite have a bunch of new players. Senior out fielder Josh Pearson will experience his fourth opening day at the Box and has told the new guys what to expect…

Cut 22 (18) “…deal with it”

LSU hosts Purdue Fort wayne to start the season.

Louisiana Tech begins the 2025 season by hosting Maine for a four-game series beginning today at 4 PM. The Bulldogs won 45 games last year and a Conference USA regular season title. Ninth-year head coach Lane Burroughs believes he has a talented team, but there are a lot of new faces…

Cut 19 (14) “…let’s go.”

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics and it’s forbidding staffers from promoting seasonal vaccines. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has denied Louisiana’s attempt to extradite Doctor Maggie Carpenter. Carpenter is accused of sending abortion pills to a family in West Baton Rouge parish that ended a teenage girl’s pregnancy. New York has a law that protects doctors who prescribe abortion medication to out-of-state patients.

Are you still scrambling to make that Valentine’s Day dinner reservation? Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Wendy Waren says there are apps like Resy and Open Table to make last minute reservations and she says there are plenty of hidden gems that can squeeze you in…

Cut 6 (12) “….special occasions”

The 2025 LHSAA State Wrestling Meet makes history today as female wrestlers compete in their own division for the first time. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell called the change a “momentous step” in the growth of girls’ wrestling.

Cut 13 (08)  “…It’s great.”

The championship event takes place today and tomorrow at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Thirty-six-year-old Kellen Moore was introduced today as the 19th head coach in Saints history. During his introductory news conference, Moore said when he interviewed for head coaching positions, it became apparent to him that New Orleans was where he wanted to be.

Cut 12 (10) “…that this presented.”

A major decision facing Moore is whether to keep Derek Carr as the Saints starting quarterback. Moore says he plans on meeting with all of the players before making any decisions, but said he has great respect for Carr and what he’s done in the NFL…

Cut 16 (14) “…a lot of fun”

Carr is 33-years-old and is set to make 30-million dollars next season. Cutting him would result in 50-million dollars in dead money on the books next year.

 

LSU Baseball Coach Jay Johnson has announced Kade Anderson will be his starting pitcher for Friday’s season opener against Purdue Fort Wayne. Anderson is looking to build on a good freshman campaign. He’s added nearly 25 pounds since arriving at LSU and is throwing harder as a result. Anderson is also working on his secondary pitches…

Cut 17 (15)  “…more often.”

First pitch on Friday is at 2 PM. LSU has moved up the start time for Game two to 11 AM.

In college basketball tonight…Louisiana Tech will try to win its ninth straight home game as the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State. ULM is also home as they face Texas State.

LSU-A, who is ranked number one in the NAIA coaches poll, hosts Our Lady of the Lake tonight. The Generals are 23-and-1 and they’ve clinched a second consecutive Red River Regular Season title.

LRN PM Newscall February 13

Northwest Louisiana is losing hundreds of jobs as International Paper announces its closing its containerboard mill in Natchitoches Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Saints officially introduce their new head coach. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LDWF confirmed new captive Chronic Wasting Disease cases, raising concerns about the potential spread to wild deer. LDWF Veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Roberts says five additional positives were detected this season.

Cut 3 (10) “…detected in 2022.” 

CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and other deer families. Infected deer display weight loss, disorientation, and excessive salivation. Roberts says it is caused by misfolded proteins called prions, which have no treatment or vaccine and currently don’t infect humans.

Cut 4 (10) “…CWD in humans.”

Surveillance of harvested deer is essential for early detection and disease control.  Roberts cited a recent case where two mule deer were illegally harvested and transported from Colorado to Louisiana.

Cut 5 (09) “…imported tested  was positive.”

Hunters can contact their local LDWF field offices for sample testing.

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A large employer in northwest Louisiana is closing, resulting in hundreds of people losing their jobs. International Paper announced this morning it’s closing three of its plants, including the containerboard mill in the Natchitoches Parish town of Campti. State Representative Jack McFarland says the mill will cease operations by the end of April…

Cut 6 (08) “…so abruptly.”

The International Paper is one of the largest employers in Natchitoches Parish as it employs 300 people. It’s been in operation for 50 years. McFarland says the Louisiana Workforce Commission will help the impacted workers find a new job…

Cut 7 (09) “…left without jobs.”

International Paper is also closing a recycling plant in Phoenix, a box plant in Pennsylvania and a sheet feeder facility in St. Louis. McFarland says the news of the Red River mill in Louisiana was a surprise, but after talking with a senior executive at I-P nothing could have been done…

Cut 8 (09) “…over supplied.”

The Campti facility produces about 800-thousand tons of containerboard annually. International Paper says it needs to streamline its footprint to focus investments on facilities that will best serve customers.

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Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says one reason for the high price of eggs is bird flu. He says that’s because there are fewer hens laying eggs.

Cut 9 (09)  “…bird flu issues.”

Strain says to keep egg prices from spiraling out of control, they have to stop the spread of bird flu.

Cut 10 (08) “…egg-laying hens.”

Strain says the average wholesale price for medium sized eggs is seven dollars a dozen; and until they get the bird flu under control, those prices will continue to go up.

Cut 11 (10) “…to meet demand.”

Some grocery stores are putting limits on how many eggs you can buy, because of a shortage of eggs.

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The Saints formally introduce their new head coach. Kellen Moore was introduced as the 19th head coach in franchise history. During his introductory news conference, Moore said when he interviewed for head coaching positions, it became apparent to him that New Orleans was where he wanted to be.

Cut 12 (10) “…that this presented.”

Moore has some recent history of coaching in the Superdome – most recently, this past Sunday as he helped lead the Eagles to a 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. He was also with the Eagles as they faced the then-undefeated Saints in Week Three this past season, in which the Eagles won 15-12, scoring all their points in the fourth quarter. Moore says the Superdome is a tough place for visiting teams to play in.

Cut 13 (13)  “…going to have.”

As for who will be the team’s quarterback going forward, the former quarterback had great praise for the team’s current quarterback, Derek Carr.

Cut 14 (06) “…in this league (2x).”

The 36-year-old Moore will be the youngest head coach in the NFL next season, but he isn’t close to being the youngest head coach in NFL history. That distinction goes to Sean McVay, who was one month shy of his 31st birthday when he took over the Rams in 2017.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Disappointing economic development news for Louisiana as International Paper announces the closure of its containerboard mill in Natchitoches Parish. It’s one of four facilities International Paper is closing across the country and here in Louisiana it means the loss of 300 permanent jobs. State Representative Jack MacFarland says the Louisiana Workforce Commission will help the impacted workers find a new job…

Cut 7 (09) “…left without jobs.”

International Paper says it needs to streamline its footprint to focus investments on facilities that will best serve customers.

Governor Landry said this week that the state will use nitrogen gas to execute death row inmates. Attorney General Liz Murrill…

Cut 12 (09) “…State’s Supreme Court”

A DeSoto Parish judge has set an execution date of March 17th for 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado who killed his six-year-old stepson in 1992.

 

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the average wholesale price for medium sized eggs is seven dollars a dozen; and until they get the bird flu under control, those prices will continue to go up.

Cut 11 (10) “…to meet demand.”

Some grocery stores are putting limits on how many eggs you can buy, because of a shortage of eggs.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says it has found three more positive captive cases of chronic wasting disease in deer. The recent detections were in Concordia, St. Landry and Tangipahoa Parishes and they are linked to a CWD positive deer pen in Jefferson Davis Parish. LDWF Veterinarian Doctor Jonathan Roberts says CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans…

Cut 4 (10) “…CWD in humans.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU baseball star Alex Bregman has found a new home. Bregman has signed a three-year, 120 million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox. He’s leaving Houston after helping the Astros win two World Series Championships.

It’s believed LSU has enough pitching to win a national championship this season. Opening day is tomorrow and sophomore left hander Kade Anderson will start in the season opener, UC San Diego transfer Anthony Eyanson will start on Saturday and Chase Shores will start on Sunday, his first start since undergoing Tommy John Surgery in 2023. Coach Jay Johnson on Shores’ recovery…

Cut 29 (11) “…ready to go”

In basketball…the losing continued last night for the Pelicans, LSU and the Ragin Cajuns.

Spring football begins next month for LSU and the Tigers list former Lafayette Christian star JuJuan Johnson as a quarterback. Johnson set a Louisiana record for 14,451 total yards and 171 total touchdowns while starting for four years at quarterback at L-C-A. He started at LSU as a cornerback, moved to running back during the season and had seven carries for 14 yards and five catches for 22 yards during his freshman campaign.

Louisiana Tech will look to win its ninth straight home game tonight when it hosts Kennesaw State inside the Thomas Assembly Center for a 6:30 PM tip. Both teams are 6-and-5 in Conference USA play and the Bulldogs lost to the Owls back on January 18th at their place. Coach Talvin Hester is looking forward to the rematch…

Cut 18 (15)  “…that way”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry said this week that Louisiana is preparing to execute death row inmates. An execution has not happened since 2010 and Attorney General Liz Murrill is long overdue…

Cut 10 (08) “…way too long”

The first death row prisoner that could be executed is 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado. In 1992, he killed his six-year-old stepson. A DeSoto Parish judge has set an execution date for March 17th.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine is calling on fans and parents at high school games and matches to simmer down or sit down when tensions rise…

Cut 20 (03) “…everyone loses”

Last week a mother of a Red River High School girls basketball player left the stands and verbally assaulted a referee after her daughter was ejected for committing a flagrant foul. The Red Rivers girls basketball team could be banned from postseason play because of the mother’s actions.

The former Diamond Jacks Casino reopens its doors for the first time since Covid. It’s now called Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana in Bossier City after a 270-million dollar plus makeover. Vice President of Marketing Josh Robinson says you’re immersed from the moment you walk in, with a floor-to-ceiling LED wall greeting visitors in the main entry. And they have a full staff ready to help.

Cut 8 (11) “…that Live brand.”

It’s early education month and next week the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children will release a parent poll. L-P-I-C director Libby Sonnier says the survey focuses on child care arrangements,

Cut 5 (10) “…they get”

The Poll will be released Tuesday.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Embattled LSU law professor Ken Levy is set to return to the classroom today after a Baton Rouge judge ordered the university to reinstate him. Levy was suspended after a student complained about his use of profanity and criticism of Governor Landry and President Trump. Levy’s attorney Jill Craft says her client never received due process when the suspension was handed down…

Cut 15 (11) “….academic freedom”

Governor Landry is upset Levy is returning to class, calling Levy’s conduct unprofessional.

This is Louisiana Early Education Month. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libby Sonnier….

Cut 6 (12) “…Early Ed Montyh”

Sonnier says they use this month to highlight the urgent need for increased investment.

Today is the day that the new Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana welcomes guests in Bossier City. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LSU star Alex Bregman hit the jackpot last night. The two-time World Series champion is leaving Houston after signing a three-year, 120-million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox. It’s one of the highest average annual salaries in Major League Baseball.

At 11 AM today, the Saints introduce Kellen Moore as their new head coach.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Embattled LSU law professor Ken Levy returns to class today after Judge Tarvald Smith ruled the university violated his free speech and due process rights when they suspended him.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Landry said this week that the state will use nitrogen gas to execute death row inmates. Attorney General Liz Murrill…

Cut 12 (09) “…State’s Supreme Court”

A DeSoto Parish judge has set an execution date of March 17th for 81-year-old Christopher Sepulvado who killed his six-year-old stepson in 1992.

February is Early Education Month, an initiative to highlight the urgent need for increased investments in high-quality early childhood education. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children CEO Libby Sonnier says this initiative features events to raise awareness among policymakers, business leaders, and families.

Cut 4 (11) “…looks like.”

Sonnier says there will be a social media day of action tomorrow.

A new 270-million dollar casino opens today in Bossier City. The Live Casino and Hotel Louisiana is the former Diamond Jacks Casino. Vice President of Marketing Josh Robinson says Live Casino and Hotel features 47-thousand square feet of gaming space, a luxury hotel, and a multi-purpose Event center…

Cut 9 (16) “…Clint Black”