7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urging the new Congress to provide more federal dollars for an improved interstate system, including new bridges for Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Landry says a new Mississippi River bridge in the capital city is desperately needed to alleviate congestion on Interstate 10…

Cut 7 (07) “…back and forth.”

Landry says a modernized interstate system will boost the economy and he also asked Congress to minimize the federal red tape that keeps major highway projects from happening.

New Orleans has received over 9 million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration to install electric vehicle chargers across the city. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter thinks this will help New Orleanians go greener.

Cut 4 (12) “…place to charge.”

The lineup for the 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest has been announced. Michelle Southern reports this year’s festival features a wide array of artists and something special for Louisiana residents…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

Jazz Fest is one of the great events in the spring. But we still must get through winter and very cold temperatures are in the forecast for next week and there’s the chance for winter precipitation and that includes snow. The National Weather Service says it’s still five days out, but highest probability of light snowfall is south of the I-20 corridor on Tuesday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

For the first time this season, the Pelicans won the second game of a back-to-back as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 119 to 116. Dejounte Murray scored a season high 30 points and he scored 13 points in the final six minutes to help close the game out. Coach Willie Green says Murray has shown he can be a closer…

Cut 28 (28) “….basketball floor”

Trey Murphy added 24 points for the Pelis who improved to 10-and-32.

ULM men’s basketball lost to Troy 77 to 58 as the Warhawks fell to 4-and-15 on the season. Tulane topped Florida Atlantic 80 to 65 to improve to 4-and-1 in the American Athletic Conference.

Louisiana Tech won two in a row at home last week and they are back on the road this week. Tonight, the Bulldogs visit Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks finished with a losing record last year, but Tech head coach Talvin Hester says Jax State is 9-and-7 overall this year…

Cut 17 (17)  “…mismatches.”

Also tonight, the Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is at Arkansas.

The U-L Lafayette women’s basketball team lost in overtime to Arkansas State 67 to 65 last night and Tulane defeated Wichita State 66 to 62.

In high school football, Thibodaux has named Lowell Narcisse as its new football coach. Narcisse was a three-sport star at St. James High School and this past season, he led Ascension Catholic to an eleven win season and a semifinal appearance. Thibodaux was just 4-and-6 in 2024.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry testified before the U-S House Transportation Committee, asking for more federal dollars to pay for major highway projects. Andrew Greenstein has the story….

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of a K-9 that died in the line of duty. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says Macho, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, was helping deputies find a wanted subject at a home in Harvey. While apprehending the suspect, Canine Macho experienced a medical emergency and died at a veterinarian hospital.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has released its 2025 line-up. Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz and Kacey Musgraves are the headliners for the two-weekend musical festival that takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course April 24th to May fourth. Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis says weekend passes are on sale now and Louisiana residents receive a discount…

Cut 10 (10) “…local people.”

Go to n-o-jazz-fest-dot-com for tickets.

More E-V charging stations are coming to New Orleans thanks to nine-million dollars in funding from the Federal Highway Administration. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says the availability of E-V charging stations will help convince people to buy an electric car…

Cut 6 (12) “….that are available”

Carter says Gasoline- and diesel-based cars, trucks and buses account for almost 43% of New Orleans’ total greenhouse gas emissions.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

No new developments today in the search for a new Saints head coach. Jim Derry, the host of the Dattitude podcast for NOLA.com, says the Saints really have their eye on is Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn, who they have already interviewed once…

Cut 17 (14)  “…decision to make.”

Right now Glenn is trying to figure out how to slow down Jayden Daniels. Detroit hosts the Commanders in the NFC Divisional round matchup on Saturday night.

Thibodaux has named Lowell Narcisse as its new football coach. Narcisse was a three-sport star at St. James High School and started his collegiate career at LSU and ending it at UTSA. This past season, he led Ascension Catholic to an eleven win season and a semifinal appearance. Thibodaux was just 4-and-6 in 2024.

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The ULM men’s basketball team begins a four-game homestand tonight by hosting Troy at Fant-Ewing Coliseum at 6:30. Warhawks Coach Keith Richard on the keys for tonight’s game…

Cut 26 (10) “…steal the ball”

ULM is still winless in Sun Belt play, while the Trojans have lost two in a row.

Also in college hoops, Tulane hosts Florida Atlantic. The Green Wave are 3-and-1 in the American Conference.

The Pelicans are back at it tonight as they host Dallas. New Orleans beat the Bulls in Chicago last night and they are playing better as of late, going two and one on a three-game road trip. Jose Alvarado…

Cut 20 (10) “…every time”

Tip off tonight is at 7 PM between the 9-and-32 Pelicans and the 22 and 18 Dallas Mavericks.

3:30 LRN Newscast

President Biden delivers his farewell address at seven tonight. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former Union Parish Sheriff’s deputy involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Green has pleaded no contest to a simple battery charge. Chris Harpin will not serve any jail time, instead he was placed on supervised probation. None of the officers involved in the videotaped beating of Greene will face jail time. Federal prosecutors could not find evidence that his civil rights were violated.

 

Small businesses are more optimistic now than they have been in the last six years. That’s according to the latest Small Business Optimism Index by the National Federation of Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says small business owners are looking forward to the upcoming change at 16-hundred Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cut 12 (08) “…the labor shortage.”

Here locally, Long says the reduction in the income tax will be a big boost to small business owners.

The state Department of Education has revamped its website. Department of Education spokesperson Ted Beasley says the new website is easier to navigate and students, parents, educators and system leaders should be able to find what they are looking for quickly….

Cut 7 (11) “….they’re looking for”

LRN PM Newscall January 15

President Biden delivers his farewell address at seven tonight. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Department of Education launches its new website. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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President Biden delivers his farewell address tonight. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Biden will tout his accomplishments in his four years in office.

Cut 3 (09) “…massive infrastructure investment.” 

Cross says he also expects Biden to make at least a passing reference to his predecessor and successor.

Cut 4 (10) “…a personal rule.”

All in all, Cross expects this farewell address to be a traditional one.

Cut 5 (13) “…some looking ahead.”

Biden’s address is at seven Central time.

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The Louisiana Department of Education launches its new website today. Department spokesman Ted Beasley says the old website was ten years old and was getting to be a tad cumbersome to use. Beasley says the new website is easier to navigate.

Cut 6 (10) “…they’re looking for.”

Beasley says part of that is what he calls community homepages contained within the website, including those for students, family, educators and system leaders.

Cut 7 (11) “…they’re looking for.”

Beasley says they also spent time making the site as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Cut 8 (10) “…they’re looking for”

The website also has a new web address – doe.louisiana.gov. Those who still go to louisianabelieves.com will be redirected to the new URL.

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Buzz is building for the probability of winter precipitation next week. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says there’s a chance a large portion of the state could see snow and ice on Tuesday, but what we know for sure is that it will be cold, with dangerous wind chills…

Cut 9 (11)  “…freezing mark.”

Jacquemin says for snow, there needs to be precipitation, and it remains to be seen if the conditions will be right for precipitation to fall…

Cut 10 (10) “…winter precipitation.”

Jacquemin says we’ll have to wait a few more days before forecasters can accurately predict the possibility for snow. But he says there’s an excellent chance for pipe busting cold…

Cut 11 (08) “…season.”

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Small businesses are more optimistic now than they have been in the last six years. That’s according to the latest Small Business Optimism Index by the National Federation of Independent Business. State Director Leah Long says small business owners are looking forward to the upcoming change at 16-hundred Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cut 12 (08) “…the labor shortage.”

Here locally, Long says the reduction in the income tax will be a big boost to small business owners.

Cut 13 (06)  “…hire more employees.”

Long says one thing that small business owners want out of the new administration is the reauthorization of the Main Street Tax Act.

Cut 14 (12) “…small business owners.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team finally got its first SEC win last night after losing its first three conference games as the Tigers topped Arkansas 78 to 74. Coach Matt McMahon says his team had the right mindset to beat the Razorbacks…

Cut 29 (16) “…response”

Cam Carter led the way for LSU as the Donaldsonville native had a season-high 27 points.

ULM men’s basketball is still looking for its first league win. The Warhawks host Troy tonight. The Trojans won their first three Sun Belt games, but they’ve lost their last two.  It’s the start of a four-game homestand for ULM. Tip off is at 6:30.

Also tonight, Tulane hosts Florida Atlantic.

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It’s the biggest question surrounding the Saints in the early off-season – who will be their next head coach? One name that recently surfaced is Mike McCarthy, who just parted ways with the Cowboys after his contract expired. McCarthy is no stranger to the Saints – he was their offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004, during which time the team won its first ever playoff game. Jim Derry, the host of the Dattitude podcast for NOLA.com, says McCarthy has a lot in common with Sean Payton.

Cut 16 (15) “…Payton has three.”

McCarthy will reportedly interview with the Saints next week, but today he’s interviewing with the Chicago Bears.

The Pelicans beat the Bulls for the second time this season as New Orleans won in Chicago 119 to 113. Trey Murphy had 32 points and tonight the Pels host the Dallas Mavericks.

9:30 LRN Newscast

State crews began clearing out homeless encampments across downtown New Orleans this morning. The people living at these sites have the option to go to a temporary homeless shelter in Gentilly.

A pair of New Orleans legislators are expressing concern about the state’s plan to clear out homeless encampments near the Superdome before the city hosts the Super Bowl. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (34) “….I’m Andrew Greenstein”

For the first time since the program was founded almost 40 years ago, Southern University’s School of Nursing has been named the Best Nursing School in the United States by nurse.org. Southern Nursing School Dean Sandra Brown says it’s the result of hard work.

Cut 13 (10) “…an amazing faculty.”

In the Nurse-dot-org ranking, Southern beat out Florida State, Michigan and Washington.

Do you Love King Cake, but also concerned about the carbs and calories a slice of king cake can produce. Ochsner Eat Fit is once again selling zero-sugar, gluten free King Cakes. And Eat Fit Founder Molly Kimball says new this year are King Cake Cupcakes…

Cut 12 (09) “…to the lineup”

To learn more go to Ochsner-eat-fit-dot-com.

06:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team notched its first SEC win last night as the Tigers topped the Arkansas Razorbacks 78 to 74. LSU shot 40-percent from the field, but they were 26 of 28 from the free throw line. Cam Carter led all scorers with 27 points and talked about attacking the rim….

Cut 30 (17) “…cause of it”

LSU is now 1-and-3 in the SEC.

The Pelicans beat the Bulls in Chicago last night 119 to 113. Trey Murphy had 32 points as he made all 12 of his free throws. Zion Williamson nearly had a triple double, 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. New Orleans hosts Dallas tonight, who was blown out last night by the Denver Nuggets 118 to 99.

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The NFL Network is reporting the Saints plan to speak with former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy early next week. Before winning a Super Bowl in Green Bay and winning a bunch of games in Dallas, McCarthy was an offensive coordinator in New Orleans for five seasons from 2000 to 2004. The 2000 team won the franchise’s first playoff game.

But before McCarthy meets with New Orleans, he’ll reportedly interview with the Bears today.

Host of the Dattitude podcast for NOLA.com, Jerry Derry, says McCarthy and Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn are likely the Saints top two choices and a possible wild card is Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady…

Cut 18 (12) “…an interesting situation”

The Bills have a divisional playoff game against Baltimore Sunday night.

4:45 LRN sportscast

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the Saints are planning to speak with former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy early next week. Before winning a Super Bowl in Green Bay and winning a bunch of games in Dallas, McCarthy was an offensive coordinator in New Orleans for five seasons from 2000 to 2004. The 2000 team won the franchise’s first playoff game.

But before McCarthy meets with New Orleans, he’ll reportedly interview with the Bears tomorrow.

Some say the Saints head coaching vacancy is not an attractive job, because the team is 52-million dollars over the salary cap. But General Manager Mickey Loomis says it’s manageable…

Cut 18 (18) “…better about it”

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The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team won a back-and-forth game with Vanderbilt, 83 to 77 on Monday night, to improve to 19-0. This game featured seven ties and 13 lead changes. The Lady Tigers are now 5-0 in games decided by 10 points or less. Coach Kim Mulkey says all this team cares about is winning…

Cut 19 (17) “…trying to get better”

LSU will play again on Sunday against Florida.

The LSU men’s basketball team is in action tonight as they host Arkansas. The Tigers are 0-and-3 in SEC play and have lost the last two games by double digits. The Razorbacks are coming off home losses to Ole Miss and Florida.

The Pelicans are at the Chicago Bulls tonight. New Orleans is 8-and-32, Chicago is 18-and-21. Tip off is at 7 PM.