8:30 LRN Newscast

McNeese men’s basketball made history yesterday as the Cowboys won their first NCAA Tournament game, holding on to upset fifth-seeded Clemson 69-67. McNeese is now the Cinderella story of March Madness and Coach Will Wade says it’s a game changer for the university…

Cut 14 (08) “…changes everything”

McNeese will try to get to the Sweet 16 as they will face Purdue on Saturday.

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says he will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026.  Higgins says he carefully considered a Senate bid as polls show Republicans are interested in him running for U-S Senate. But Higgins says he decided to remain in the House to focus on advancing the President’s agenda. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and says Higgins would have been a viable candidate…

Cut 7 (12) “…than the Senate.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order to fix the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. In a social media post, Landry said outdated software is causing crippling delays for the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and it’s no longer acceptable.  It’s unclear how the State of Emergency will lead to a more efficient O-M-V.

Governor Landry also said on social media this week that he had a productive call with the NHL as they continue discussing the prospect of a professional hockey team in New Orleans.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time ever, the McNeese men’s basketball team has won an NCAA Tournament game. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Transportation Safety Board identifies eight bridges in Louisiana that are at unknown level of risk of collapse if struck by an ocean-going vessel. The report was released in response to last year’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Among the bridges listed in Louisiana, I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge. I-210 in Lake Charles, Crescent City Connection in NOLA, Huey P Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish and the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins announces he will not challenge U-S Senator Bill Cassidy and run for his seat next year. Higgins says despite polls showing there’s a vast majority of Louisiana Republicans want him to run for the Senate, he believes he would be more beneficial as a senior Republican in the House. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and says Cassidy’s vote to confirm Robert F Kennedy as U-S Health Secretary makes him less vulnerable…

Cut 8 (07) “…RFK’s nomination”

Cassidy still faces a challenge from his own party, as State Treasurer John Fleming will challenge Cassidy in the Republican Party Primary.

Louisiana continues to make its case to the NHL that New Orleans can be home to a professional hockey team. Congressman Steve Scalise was on a call with Governor Landry and NHL officials this week…

Cut 4 (11) “….world class events”

It’s unknown if the NHL believes New Orleans is a viable city for an expansion franchise.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

McNeese men’s basketball made history yesterday as the Cowboys won their first NCAA Tournament game, holding on to upset fifth-seeded Clemson 69-67. McNeese is now the Cinderella story of March Madness and Coach Will Wade says it’s a game changer for the university…

Cut 14 (08) “…changes everything”

McNeese will try to get to the Sweet 16 as they will face Purdue on Saturday.

The 2nd ranked LSU baseball team begins a big SEC series against 8th ranked Texas tonight in Austin. LSU as a team is third in the country in hitting with a team batting average of .345. Coach Jay Johnson says the offense reminds him of 2023 national title team…

Cut 16 (25) “….on track”

Running back John Emery wants to play one more year of college football. It would be his seventh. Emery was on the Tigers 2019 national championship team. Since then he played the Covid year, missed a year because of academics and last season only played one game as he tore his ACL in practice. It’s unknown if Emery will play at LSU as the Tigers have four scholarship running backs and could have a fifth if Trey Holly returns.

In other college baseball this weekend…ULM hosts 19th ranked Southern Miss. The Cajuns are at South Alabama, La Tech begins Conference USA play by visiting Sam Houston. The Bearkats are just 6-15. Southeastern Louisiana has won six in a row and the Lions host McNeese. Northwestern State visits UNO.

The Pelicans have another game in Minnesota tonight after upsetting the Timberwolves on Wednesday and the Southern women’s basketball team will take on top-seeded UCLA in the women’s basketball tournament.

 

6:30 LRN Newscast March 21

U-S Representative Clay Higgins says in an open letter that he will not challenge Bill Cassidy for his Senate seat. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Governor Jeff Landry says in a move that will deliver cost savings, he’s moving the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness under the Louisiana National Guard. Landry says this will also result in the state relying more on the National Guard to strengthen the state’s resilience. Louisiana National Guard Brigadier General Jason Mahfouz will serve as interim director.

 

The McNeese State Cowboys are the story of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The 12th seeded Cowboys upset fifth seeded Clemson 69 to 67 yesterday. It’s the Pokes first NCAA Tournament win and they advance to play Purdue in the second round. Junior guard Quadir Copeland says they don’t plan to stop dancing anytime soon…

Cut 15 (06) “…not the goal”

Louisiana officials have spoken with the NHL about bringing professional hockey to New Orleans. Congressman Steve Scalise and Governor Jeff Landry had a discussion with NHL leaders this week. Scalise says if hockey can be successful in Las Vegas, it can also be successful on the Bayou…

Cut 6 (12) “…in the desert”

At this time it’s unknown if the NHL is seriously interested in having a a team in New Orleans.

LRN AM Newscall March 21

Louisiana sends its heavy hitters to continue the push for an NHL team in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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U-S Representative Clay Higgins says in an open letter that he will not challenge Bill Cassidy for his Senate seat. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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For the first time ever, the McNeese men’s basketball team has won an NCAA Tournament game. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Another pitch on behalf of New Orleans to the NHL – this time, it’s Governor Landry and Congressman Steve Scalise meeting with league officials about a potential expansion team to the Big Easy. The Metairie Congressman says New Orleans would be a great addition to the league.

Cut 4 (11) “…world class events.”

Scalise says having the NHL in New Orleans would also boost tourism.

Cut 5 (09) “…more as well.”

Skeptics may point to the fact that New Orleans is not a big media market. If the NHL ever does come to New Orleans, it would be the league’s second smallest U.S. market, ahead of only Buffalo. Scalise points out that a city very similar to New Orleans in both size and stature has made the NHL a must-see attraction.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the desert.”

By doing so, Las Vegas was able to do something that Phoenix – a market also in the desert that’s much bigger – was unable to do in more than 25 years, culminating with that city’s team folding. Scalise points out that Atlanta, a major market which is also vying for an NHL franchise, has had two previous NHL teams, both of which ended up relocating to Canada.

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U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says he will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026.  Higgins says he carefully considered a Senate bid as polls show Republicans are interested in him running for U-S Senate. But Higgins says he decided to remain in the House to focus on advancing the MAGA America First agenda. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and says Higgins would have been a viable candidate…

Cut 7 (12) “…than the Senate.”

Higgins’ decision paves the way for Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming to challenge Cassidy from the right. Cassidy, a moderate Republican, faces uncertainty in his reelection bid, but Cross says Cassidy’s vote to approve Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary could give Cassidy an advantage appealing to more MAGA Conservatives.

Cut 8 (07) “…RFK’s nomination.”

Cross says another hurdle for Higgins is fundraising and to what extent he’d be able to fundraise at the levels needed for a U.S. Senate seat.

Cut 9 (09) “…price was too high.”

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The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to aid those impacted by the recent EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. With no public animal shelter in Walthall County, HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you can help…

Cut 10 (10) “…those in need.”

Dorson says HSLA is collecting donations during its Easter Bunny Spring Market and Bake Sale.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t miss it.”

Dorson says supporters can also contribute through donations at humane-l-a-dot-org.

Cut 12 (07) “…on your behalf.”

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The McNeese Cowboys have made history! For the first time in men’s basketball program history, the Cowboys have won an NCAA Tournament game. The Midwest Region’s 12th seed led Clemson 31-13 at halftime and held on at the end for a 69-67 win over the region’s fifth seed. Senior forward Christian Shumate says it’s surreal.

Cut 13 (07)  “…really did happen.”

Head coach Will Wade says the exposure that the NCAA Tournament provides is invaluable to both the school and the City of Lake Charles.

Cut 14 (08) “…changes everything.”

Junior guard Quadir Copeland had lost to Clemson four times while at Syracuse before getting his first win over the Tigers with McNeese. Copeland says he’s looking forward to a huge welcome home celebration upon returning to Lake Charles, but he wants to do so with more basketball to play.

Cut 15 (06) “…not the goal.”

But to achieve the goal of going to the Sweet 16 in Indianapolis, McNeese will have to beat Purdue tomorrow. The fourth-seeded Boilermakers beat High Point yesterday, 75-63.

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The second-ranked LSU puts its 16-game winning streak on the line tonight as they begin a three-game series against eighth-ranked Texas. The Tigers enter the series with a team batting average of .345. Coach Jay Johnson says the offense reminds him of what he saw in 2023 when the Tigers won a national championship…

Cut 16 (25) “…on track.”

Texas is 17-and-2 and just had its 17-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with an extra inning loss to UTSA. The Longhorns team ERA is 3.22, tenth best in the country.

The Tigers have five players hitting.367 or higher. Daniel Dickinson is hitting .368 and gives credit to his mom’s camera work for helping him with his swing…

Cut 17 (22)  “…feeling out my swing.”

The Tigers enter with a strength of schedule ranked 254th. They’ve only played two teams with a winning record. Texas is 17-and-2 and big crowds are expected in Austin. Dickinson can’t wait…

Cut 18 (22)  “…backyard.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football team has received a verbal commitment from a five-star recruit from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 24-7 sports ranks Tristen Keys as the top wide receiver in the country for the Class of 2026. Keys also had offers from Tennessee, Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

Former five-star running back John Emery says he will play college football again next season. It would be Emery’s seventh season after spending the last six years at LSU. He suffered season-ending injuries the last two years. It’s unknown if Emery will return to LSU or play somewhere else next season.

Former Troy head coach Phil Cunningham has been introduced as the new head coach at ULM. Cunningham says the Warhawks will need to bring in talented players to compete in the Sun Belt, and the 56-year-old says he’s learned from the best when it comes to recruiting…

Cut 17 (20)  “…as anybody”.”

Cunningham was an assistant coach for Lefty Driesell at James Madison and Georgia State. He spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State

The second-ranked LSU baseball team takes its 16-game winning streak to Texas where they’ll begin a three-game series against the eighth-ranked Longhorns. Texas had its 17-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with a 12-inning loss to U-T-S-A.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU football has landed a commitment from the number one wide receiver in the Class of 2026 according to 24-7 sports. Tristen Key from Hattiesburg, Mississippi is listed at six-foot-three, 180 pounds. Key is the third receiver in LSU’s 2026 class. The other two are Kenny Darby from Airline High School and Jakai Anderson from McDonogh 35.

In college baseball….Southeastern Louisiana won its sixth in a row, a seven to one win over the Ragin Cajuns.

The second ranked LSU baseball team left for Texas this morning where they’ll play the eight ranked Longhorns in Austin in a Top ten matchup this weekend. Left-hander Conner Ware is excited for his first big SEC series…

Cut 20 (17) “…go into it”

Today begins the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. McNeese plays at 2:15 against Clemson. Cowboys Senior forward Christian Shumate is glad to be in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but he wants the experience to last longer…

Cut 15 (12) “…moments happen.”

McNeese is 0-and-3 in its history at the NCAA Tournament.

Phil Cunningham takes over as the new men’s basketball coach at ULM. Cunningham was an assistant for the Warhawks last season and replaces the retired Keith Richard (ree-SHARD). Cunningham says he plans to win right away at ULM…

Cut 16 (17) “…win now.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Today is a very bad day to be lighting outdoor fires. A red flag warning is in effect throughout South Louisiana and central Louisiana as the area deals with low humidity and high winds. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says dewpoint temperatures are what areas like Phoenix would expect, but not South Louisiana.

Cut 3 (10) “…year in Louisiana.”

The dewpoint temperatures are leading to relative humidity levels of between 20 and 30 percent.

Do you have your REAL ID yet? If not, you’d better get a move on it.

Cut 10 (13) “…state-issued credential.”

Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says select OMV locations will be open this Saturday to help with the rush of people who still need to get their Real ID. For more information go to express-lane-dot-org or go to the Office of Motor Vehicles Facebook Page to see which offices are open this Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM.

The McNeese men’s basketball team is looking for its first ever NCAA Tournament win this afternoon when it faces Clemson at 2:15. The Cowboys were eliminated in the first-round last year. Coach Will Wade says his team has a different mentality this year…

Cut 13 (12)  “…more than one.”

Wade is expected to leave McNeese once its season is over and take the North Carolina State head coaching job.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has its first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease in wild deer out of Tensas Parish. It has also been detected in a white-tailed buck harvested by a hunter on private land in Catahoula Parish. LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonthan Bordelon says knowing the disease has spread to another parish helps in their efforts to control the spread…

Cut 6 (11) “….on the landscape”

More information regarding the response plan for this area will be forthcoming.

9:30 LRN Newscast

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting involving the Alexandria Police Department last night. The person shot was taken to a local hospital. No officers were injured in the incident that took place on Willow Glen Street at Third Street.

The deadline to get the REAL ID so you can fly domestically without the need of a passport is May seventh.  Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says to help people meet that deadline, the OMV is opening select offices on select Saturdays so that people won’t have to take time off work. Last Saturday was the first of what was originally going to be three Saturdays; and it was such a hit that they’re adding another Saturday this week.

Cut 11 (10) “…few different offices.”

Three OMV offices will be open in the New Orleans area, along with Bossier. Monroe, Shreveport and Winnsboro OMV field offices.

The Secretary of State’s Office says the number of early votes cast for the March 29th election has reached 100-thousand. Joel Watson with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office says spring elections historically see lower turnout, but every voter has something on their ballot…

Cut 9 (08) “…their ballot”

Early voting runs through Saturday.

The 12th seeded McNeese State Cowboys will look to pull off the upset this afternoon as they face fifth seeded Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Tigers were 18-2 in the A-C-C and have a significant height advantage over McNeese. Coach Will Wade says they must limit Clemson’s shots around the basket.

Cut 14 (09) “…said than done.”

Once McNeese’s season ends, Wade is expected to be named the new head coach at North Carolina State.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Two men are dead and a teenager is hospitalized following a triple shooting last night in the Village of Tangipahoa in Tangipahoa Parish. Law enforcement received a call just before six PM about multiple people shot outside of a mobile home. Investigators believe the community is safe and there are no suspects being sought at this time.

If you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, you’d better get a move on it. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state is reporting its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease in a wild deer outside of Tensas Parish. A hunter-harvested white-tailed buck shot in Catahoula Parish tested positive for C-W-D, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Louisiana to 36….

Cut 5 (08) “….guidance of the CDC”

That’s LDWF Deer Wildlife Manager Jonathan Bordelon says the CDC and the World Health Organization recommend against the human consumption of deer known to be infected with CWD.

Today begins the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. McNeese plays at 2:15 against Clemson. Cowboys Senior forward Christian Shumate is glad to be in the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year, but he wants the experience to last longer…

Cut 15 (12) “…moments happen.”

McNeese is 0-and-3 in its history at the NCAA Tournament.