10:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach a police officer if they’ve told that person not to come any closer. The measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers. ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable…
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison.

The search continues for two inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish jail over the weekend. Chief Jimmy Travis says 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian may have left the state…
cut 6 (06) “….armed bobbery”
Travis says they broke through a corroded piece of chain-link fence, crawled under an eight-inch gap in a wall and scaled two razor-wire fences.

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Two of the four inmates who escaped from the Tangiaphoa Parish jail remain on the large. Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangiaphoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says unfortunately they did not learn about their escape until they received a call from one of the inmates relatives…
cut 5 (11) “…seeking shelter”
Travis says it’s very concerning that the guards at the jail didn’t realize four inmates were missing. He blames it on manpower shortages and insufficient experience and training. 19-year-old Omarion Hookfin and 20-year-old Jamarcus Cyprian are still at large.

Louisiana is the first state to ban the retail sale of nitrous oxide. Governor Jeff Landry …
cut 9 (11) “…limited”
Nitrous oxide can be used in food preparation, but some were using it as a party drug.

Legislation has been signed into law that would make it a crime for a person to approach an officer while they are conducting an investigation or making an arrest and they’ve told that person not to come any closer. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s measure creates a 25-foot buffer zone around working law enforcement officers…
cut 14 (08) “…and arresting”
ACLU Policy Strategist Stephanie Willis says the legislation stops the public’s ability to hold police accountable, it is impractical to enforce, and violates a citizen’s 1st amendment rights.
Cut 15 (10) “…enforcement accountable.”
Anyone who fails to stay at least 25 feet from law enforcement after being told to stay away could face up to 60 days in prison or a $500 fine under the new law.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House approved a bill that creates the Gator Scholarship Program that will provide families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. Opponents have expressed concerns about the program’s costs. One estimate had it at 500-million dollars a year once all families would become eligible. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson says BESE will determine how much tuition money gets handed out and when to make higher-income families eligible…
cut 12 (09) “….that nature”
The legislation needs Senate approval of House changes before it heads to the governor’s desk.

Governor Landry has already signed a law that bans the retail sale of nitrous oxide. It’s currently sold at convenience stores for food preparation, but Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni says some are using it to get high…
cut 8 (10) “….recreational drugs”
The new law will go into effect August 1st.

Two of the four inmates who escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail over the Memorial Day weekend are still on the loose. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two people are dead after a fishing barge capsized in the Pirates Cove area of Toledo Bend Lake. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s office says there were six people on the barge and four swam to safety. The bodies of two people who drowned have been recovered.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The six Louisiana college baseball teams who are in the NCAA Tournament will be heading to their Regional destinations today. The defending national champion LSU Tigers are headed to the Chapel Hill Regional where they’ll face SoCon champion Wofford Terriers. The Terriers are second in the country in runs per game with ten.

Louisiana Tech is headed to the Fayetteville Regional. The Bulldogs will play Kansas State on Friday. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says the Wildcats will be a good test…
cut 17 (17) “…players’
Burroughs was an assistant coach at Kansas State in 2008.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the College Station Regional. U-L Lafayette Coach Matt Deggs was an assistant at Texas A-and-M from 2006 to 2010.

Nicholls flight for Corvallis, Oregon leaves at 10 AM. The Colonels are the three-seed in the Corvallis Regional and they will play U-C Irvine at 3 PM. Nicholls pitcher Jacob Mayers says they have enough pitching to make a deep run…
cut 19 (10) “…we have”
Nicholls is 0-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

Saints defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (TAH-noh PASS-en-yoh) suffered a torn Achilles injury during a running drill. Coach Dennis Allen is hopeful the edge rusher will NOT miss the entire regular season.

At O-T-As…the versatile Taysom Hill has been working out at four different positions, fullback, slot, outside receiver and H-Back. Hill is also learning new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense…
cut 30 (19) “…a lot of fun”

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Gator Scholarship program, an expanded version of school vouchers, is nearing final passage. The amended bill passed in the House on a 67-29 vote. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson presented the amendments in the House and says instead of phasing in a dollar amount annually…
Cut 10 (13) “…funds allow.”
Supporters of the legislation have been changing the bill to alleviate concerns that this expanded voucher program will be too costly.

Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation sponsored by Kenner Representative Joseph Stagni that makes Louisiana the first state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide. Stagni says the law is in response to the abuse of nitrous oxide, which is on the market for food preparation, but some use it as a party drug.
Cut 7 (10) “…long time.”
The law forbids retailers from selling nitrous oxide to individuals, not to those who need the drug for professional reasons such as dentists.

Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s bill that gives law enforcement a twenty-five-foot buffer from the public when they are attempting to make an arrest or performing an investigation is signed into law.
Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast May 28

The LSU Baseball team is headed to North Carolina for the Regionals. LSU’s bullpen got some big outs during the SEC Tournament and the Tigers scored 46 runs in five games. Third baseman Tommy White says they are barreling up the baseball…
Cut 15 (13) “…help too.”
LSU will face Wofford in its first game in the Chapel Hill Regional at 11 AM.

At Saints OTAs, Coach Dennis Allen announced defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (TAH-noh PASS-en-yoh) suffered a torn Achilles injury during a running drill. Allen says edge rusher will miss start of the season, but could return during the regular season. He had 3.5 sacks last season.

Louisiana Tech punter Blake Ochsendorf is transferring to LSU. He led Conference USA in punting average and will compete with redshirt junior Peyton Todd.

Grambling State is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 after winning the SWAC Title. The Tigers had to overcome a loss to Florida-A-and-M and had to rally to beat Jackson State in the SWAC Title game to receive an automatic bid. Longtime coach Davin Pierre…
Cut 19 (15) “…Tiger toughness.”
Grambling will join U-L Lafayette in the College Station Regional. The Tigers will play Texas a-and-M at noon on Friday, while the Cajuns face Texas at 5 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time and for the second time in three years they’ll play in the College Station Regional. Coach Matt Deggs’ team won the Sun Belt Regular season championship, but went 0-and-2 in the conference tournament
Cut 16 (14) “…we’re facing.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry signed a law classifying two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances at a bill signing session today. He officially signed the measure last Friday. Bill sponsor Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly explained the bill amid cries from his baby niece.
Cut 6 (09) “…Schedule IV drug. ”
Pressly’s niece almost died in her mother’s womb after Pressly’s brother in law attempted to sneak these drugs into her mother’s drinks to induce an abortion. But health professionals say making the drugs a controlled substance is going too far and could hurt reproductive care.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves has said he may run in another district because his district is now a majority-minority district. But U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes that idea…
cut 10 (12) “…forgone conclusion”
Johnson was a guest on Talk Louisiana. If Graves seeks to represent the Sixth District, he will likely face a challenge from Black Democratic state senator Cleo Fields.

A Zachary woman was shot multiple times while trying to stop a suspected car burglar early this morning. Zachary PD Chief Darryl Lawrence says they received a call around three am of an individual trying to steal a car. He says while two women were watching, one approached the suspect and they got into a verbal altercation.
Cut 12 (09) “…injuries.”
An arrest in this case has not been made.

Police apprehended a 12-foot python that was living in the backyard of a home in Houma. Officials believe it may have slithered out of a nearby bayou. Houma Police Chief Travis Theriot says thankfully Officer Donald Aubrey was not afraid

cut 4 (08) “…haul it off
Houma Police turned over the snake to Wildlife and Fisheries officials. It unfortunately ate two of the homeowner’s pet geese.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Baseball team will compete in the Chapel Hill Regional, hosted by North Carolina. The Tar Heels are seeded fourth nationally. Will Christian Little be available to pitch. He left the mound on Sunday with a lat injury. Coach Jay Johnson says there’s a chance Little will be available…
cut 18 (13) “…Thursday”
LSU will leave for North Carolina tomorrow and must submit a roster of 27 players before the Regional Starts.

Nicholls and Tulane have long flights in front of them as they will head to the Pacific Northwest to compete in the Corvallis. Oregon Regional. The Green Wave is the four seed and will play the Beavers, while the Colonels face U-C Irvine.

Louisiana Tech is headed to Fayetteville Regional and will play Kansas State on Friday.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time and for the second time in three years they’ll play in the College Station Regional as they will take on Texas at 5 PM. Coach Matt Deggs’ team won the Sun Belt Regular season championship, but went 0-and-2 in the conference tournament
Cut 16 (14) “…we’re facing.”
SWAC Champions Grambling will join U-L Lafayette in the College Station Regional. The Tigers will play Texas A-and-M at noon on Friday. Coach Davin Pierre says they will not back down from the Aggies who are a national three seed…
Cut 20 (20) “…our brand.”
Grambling and A-and-M will play each other at noon and the Cajuns-Longhorns game will be at 5 PM on Friday.

6:45 LRN Sportscast May 28

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Chapel Hill Regional hosted by North Carolina and they will face Wofford on Friday at 11 AM in the opening game. LSU secured its spot in a Regional by winning four straight games in the SEC Tournament. Shortstop Michael Braswell says they believe they can win every game…
cut 14 (12) “…any time”

The Ragin Cajuns are in the College Station Regional hosted by Texas A-and-M and will play Texas, who they faced last year in the NCAA Tournament and lost four to two to the Longhorns. Coach Matt Deggs believes his team can compete with U-T and A-and-M…
cut 17 (14) “….of years”
____________________________________________________________
Louisiana Tech has made it to the NCAA Baseball Tournament for a 11th time as the Bulldogs will compete in the Fayeteville Regional, hosted by Arkansas, who is a number five national seed. The Diamond Dogs will will face Kansas State at 7 PM. The Wildcats are 32-and-24 this year.

Tulane and Nicholls are both headed to the same regional and they will play in Corvallis, Oregon. The Coloens are the three-seed and will take on U-C Irvine. The Green Wave are the number one seed and they’ll play Oregon State.

And Grambling is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010 and they’ll play Texas A-and-M in the College Station Regional at noon on Friday.

In football, at the close of spring practice, LSU Coach Brian Kelly said he may add a punter in the transfer portal as he was not happy with Peyton Todd’s lack of consistency. Louisiana Tech punter Blake Ochsendorf has announced he plans on transferring to LSU. Ochsendorf led Conference USA in punting average last season.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Baseball team will travel to North Carolina this weekend for a Regional at Chapel Hill, hosted by the Tar Heels, who are seeded fourth nationally. The Tigers will open the regional by playing the Wofford Terriers, who just won the Southern Conference and Wofford is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.

The Tigers are coming off a great run at the SEC Tournament. They nearly won the tournament championship, but lost to Tennessee four to three yesterday. Shortstop Michael Braswell had a great week in Hoover…
cut 30 (13) “…get on the road to Omaha”
LSU is a two-seed in the Chapel Hill Regional and will play Wofford at 11 AM.

Louisiana Tech is a two-seed in the Fayetteville Regional and the Bulldogs will go up against Kansas State at 7 PM. The Bulldogs lost in the Conference USA Championship game to Dallas Baptist, while the Wildcats were 15-and-15 in the Big 12, 32-and-24 overall.

The Ragin Cajuns are in the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time and for the second time in three years they’ll play in the College Station Regional as they will take on Texas at 5 PM. This is the third consecutive year U-L has made the NCAA Tournament. Coach Matt Deggs’ team won 40 games this year…
Cut 18 (20) “..the course.”
Joining U-L Lafayette in College Station is Grambling State. The Tigers won the SWAC Championship and they are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. They will face Texas A-and-M at noon on Friday.

Tulane and Nicholls are in the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year and both schools will participate in the Corvallis, Oregon Regional. The Green Wave will play Oregon State on Friday night, while the Colonels will play U-C Irvine at 3 PM central time.