6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team refuses to lose. Down 5 to 1 and then 10 to 7, the Tigers rallied by scoring two runs in the eighth inning and two more runs in the ninth inning for an 11 to 10 win over South Carolina. Coach Jay Johnson says it was the best victory of the season…
cut 26 (18) “…of it tonight”
Michael Braswell playing for the first time against his former school had the game winning hit. Steven Milam had four hits, Jake Brown had three hits, including a two-run homer and Fidel Ulloa was the winning pitcher. LSU will play again on Saturday at noon against the winner of today’s game between South Carolina and Kentucky.

The Ragin Cajuns will not play again until next week. They were bounced from the Sun Belt Tournament, losing both of their games. Yesterday they failed to hold on to a seven to one lead and lost ten to nine to James Madison.

Louisiana Tech plays Liberty at 12:30 today. The winner advances to the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament, the loser has to play tonight.

In the Southland Tourney…McNeese and Nicholls are both 2-0. The Colonels defeated Southeastern five to four in ten innings.

In the SWAC Tournament, Grambling lost to Florida A-and-M 17-7. The Tigers will try to get keep its season alive when they face Alabama State at noon.

And LSU softball begins its Super Regional Series at Stanford tonight. They will face the top pitcher in college softball. NiJaree Canady has the lowest ERA in the country and the most strikeouts. Tigers outfielder Ali Newland…
cut 19 (05) “…the lineup”
First pitch is at 9:00.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The number of people traveling 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend could set a record. AAA is predicting nearly 44-million people traveling and 38-million of those will drive to their destination. AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria says the number of travelers on the road should surpass pre-Covid numbers…

cut 4 (11) “…the pandemic

Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer and the official start of the hurricane season is June 1st. NOAA is forecasting 17 to 25 named storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes and 4 to 7 major hurricanes. NOAA’s Matt Rosencrans says the increased number of storms is due to several factors, including…
cut 8 (09) “…La Nina”

Senate Finance has restored $24 million dollars for Early Childhood Education after it was previously cut in the House to balance the state budget. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Libbie Sonnier…
Cut 10 (13) “…more revenue.”
Sonnier says this means there will be 2,000 additional spots for young children to get a head start on their education.

It’s Foster Care Awareness Month and Department of Children and Family Services Secretary David Matlock says many of their foster caregivers have the opportunity to make a difference while biological parents gain the resources and help, they need to provide a good home for their children…
cut 14 (10) “….family members”
Visit DCFS’s website for more information on how you can become a foster parent.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will try to improve to 3-and-0 in the SEC Tournament as they will face South Carolina in a winner’s bracket game. The Tigers have scored 20 runs in victories over Georgia and Kentucky. We’ll see if they can keep the bats going as the Tigers have won five straight SEC games. Thatcher Hurd is set to get the start on the mound for the Tigers. He’s struggled this season with a 2-and-4 record and a 6.49 ERA.

Earlier today in the SEC Tournament,. Kentucky eliminated Arkansas nine to six. So if the Tigers lose today, they’ll play the Wildcats tomorrow.

The top seeded Ragin Cajuns have been eliminated from the Sun Belt Tournament after losing to James Madison Ten to nine. U-L Lafayette took a seven to one lead with seven runs in the second inning, but the Dukes responded with a sixth run seventh inning to take the lead. L-P Langevin gave up three runs in 2.1 innings. The Cajuns will find out their postseason destination at 11 AM on Monday.

Strong storms forced Louisiana Tech off the field last night, three outs away from a victory over Middle Tennessee in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament. The game resumed at 9 AM and it only took four and a half minutes for the Bulldogs to finish of their eight to two win over Middle Tennessee. Reed Smith was the winner pitcher and Grant Comeaux went four for four with 3 RBIs. The Bulldogs next game is Friday at 12:30. Coach Lane Burroughs….
cut 18 (15) “…good team”
It will be Liberty. The fifth seeded Flames defeated fourth seeded Sam Houston nine to three.

At the Southland Tournament…UNO avoided elimination with a seven to four win over Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. Lamar eliminated Northwestern State, beating the Demons 12 to 5.

Southern was also eliminated in the SWAC Tournament. Grambling plays Florida A-and-M in a SWAC winner’s bracket game tonight in Atlanta.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers took down one of the best teams in college baseball yesterday to advance into the winner’s bracket of the SEC Tournament. Jared Jones and Tommy White each hit grand slams as the Tigers blanked Kentucky eleven to nothing. Michael Braswell started the scoring with a solo home run on the third pitch of the game and scored three times. Coach Jay Johnson says Braswell is playing to his potential…
Cut 16 (20) “…hitting mistakes.”
The Tigers will face 10th seeded South Carolina around 4:30 today. The Gamecocks have also won two games in the SEC Tournament, beating Alabama and Arkansas. Thatcher Hurd is set to the start on the mound for LSU today.

It took about four and a half minutes this morning to complete last night’s game that was postponed because of weather between Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs beat the Blue Raiders eight to two. Coach Lane Burroughs admits he didn’t get much sleep, despite the big lead…
cut 30 (14) “…this win”
Reed Smith pitched six innings for his seventh win and Grant Comeaux was four-for-four at the plate and drove in three runs. Tech will play tomorrow at around 12:30 against the winner of today’s game between Sam Houston and Liberty.

The Ragin Cajuns need to win today to stay alive in the Sun Belt Tournament. U-L Lafayette lost Old Dominion seven to three yesterday. They’ll play James Madison this afternoon in an elimination game.

And Lamar eliminated Northwestern State from the southland Tourney.

11:30 LRN Newscast

NOAA is predicting 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes this is year. It’s the most severe hurricane forecast ever produced by the government weather agency and it’s because of warm sea surface temperatures and La Nina, which allows for more tropical development.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves the largest renewable power expansion in the state’s history. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Legislation has been approved this year that’s intended to bring more private insurers into the state in the hopes competition will lower premiums. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says lawmakers are also looking to pass a bill that could provide immediate premium relief, by suspending the 10-percent surcharge Louisiana Citizens policyholders have to pay to receive coverage through the state’s insurer of last resort…
Cut 6 (06) “…legislative level.”
Under this bill the ten-percent surcharge will go away for three years for coastal residents and it will be reduced by five percent for Citizens policyholders outside of the coastal zone.

Folks in Acadiana have something to brag about, with U.S. News and World Report names Lafayette as Louisiana’s best place to live. Mayor Monique Boulet says the secret is out about what a great place the Hub City is to live.
Cut 3 (12) “…invited to.”
Boulet says Lafayette offers the culture, food, and entertainment that Louisiana is known for, along with a family-friendly environment.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team is on some kind of a roll as the Fighting Tigers trounced the second ranked Kentucky Wildcats 11 to 0 in eight innings to advance into the winner’s bracket of the SEC Tournament. Jared Jones and Tommy White both hit grand slams and Luke Holman threw six hitless innings. Coach Jay Johnson says Holman was in complete control…
cut 17 (18) “…I’ve had”
LSU will play South Carolina at 4:30 PM today in a winner’s bracket game. The Tigers have won five straight SEC games.

The Ragin Cajuns gave up six runs in the fourth inning and lost to Old Dominion seven to three. Chase Morgan suffered the loss. The Cajuns will look to avoid elimination today at 12:30 as they play James Madison.
__________________________________________________________
Lighting in the Ruston area kept Louisiana Tech from completing its game against Middle Tennessee in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are in good shape, they lead the Blue Raiders eight to two and will look to complete the game this morning at 9 AM.

McNeese, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana were all big winners in the Southland Tournament. The Cowboys will face UIW in a winner’s bracket game today, while the Lions and Colonels will face each other tonight. Northwestern State will look to avoid elimination as they face top seeded Lamar.

In the SWAC tournament…Grambling defeated Alabama State six to three. Trevor Hatton had a bases loaded clearing triple and Mason Martinez won his eleventh game. And Florida A-and-M defeated Southern eight to five.

The General Manager of the Caesars Superdome says the Saints are 11-million dollars behind in their payments towards the ongoing renovation of the Dome. The Saints say they plan to pay their portion of the costs but they are waiting for certain documents.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers are on some kind of a roll as they routed one of the best teams in college baseball today. Jared Jones and Tommy White each hit grand slams and Luke Holman pitched six hitless innings in an 11 to nothing win over Kentucky in eight innings. Jones’ grand slam came in the seventh inning with the Tigers were up two to nothing…
cut 29 (17) “…put a good swing on it”
Hayden Travinski followed Jones’ grand slam with a solo shot and White hit his granny in the eighth inning.

The Tigers will play tomorrow afternoon at around 4:30 PM against South Carolina. The Gameocks upset Arkansas today six to five. South Carolina is just like LSU, they will be playing in their third game in as many days.

McNeese scored seven runs in the second inning on their way to beating Northwestern State ten to five in the opening game of the Southland Conference Tournament. Elliot Hebert had a two-run single in that inning. Zach Voss pitched six innings for his second win of the year.

The Cowboys advance to play UIW in a winner’s bracket game. The Cardinals upset top seeded Lamar six to three. Northwestern State gets Lamar in an elimination game tomorrow.

The Superdome Commission says the Saints are behind on their payments in helping to fund the ongoing renovation of the Caesars Superdome. The general manager for ASM Global, Evan Holmes, says the Saints owe 11.5 million dollars as they have not made a payment since December. Holmes says the delinquent payments hav not stopped the 450-million dollar renovation and there’s been no word from the Saints on why they are not paying their part.

David Patrick is returning as an assistant LSU men’s basketball coach. He was an assistant under former head coach Johnny Jones. He’s leaving as the head coach at Sacramento State to return to Baton Rouge.

3:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House approves legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion-inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…
Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.”
More than 200 doctors have expressed opposition to the bill saying they are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts.
Cut 5 (11) “…of this state.”
The amended bill returns to the Senate.

Amended legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passes in the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state department of education released a series of recommendations designed to make it easier for teachers in the classroom. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says one of the recommendations would support student mental health challenges through trained professionals…
cut 13 (08) “…mental health professionals”

LRN PM Newscall May 22

Louisiana could soon become the first state to classify two drugs used to induce an abortion as controlled substances. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________

Amended legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passes in the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

The Louisiana House has approved legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could delay reproductive care. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…

Cut 3 (10) “…in everything.” 

Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carrencro Representative Julie Emerson explains why it’s necessary..

Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.” 

More than 200 doctors have expressed their opposition to the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts. 

Cut 5 (11)  “…of this state.”

But the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the drugs are still available, but a prescription will now be required to use them for legitimate medical uses, except for abortions.

Emerson made that point during debate on the House floor…

Cut 6  (09) “…elected abortions. ” 

The bill was filed because Pressly’s former brother-in-law in Texas received a light sentence when he was convicted for trying to end his sister’s pregnancy by slipping the abortion inducing drugs into her drinks.

_________________________________________________________

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it heads back to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.

Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”  

New Orleans Democrat Senator Gary Carter asked Coussan to clarify that the amendment would change the bill to only repeal required breaks for teens sixteen and older.

Cut 8 (08)  “…thank you.” 

Many Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh, who supports the bill, objected to the amendment and says it will only deter employers from hiring those who are 15-year-olds and younger.

Cut 9 (14) “…do object.” 

The amendment passed on a 25 to 11 vote.

Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says the minors she sees working in her district are using their break to study or finish homework. After hearing proponents say ‘kids want to work’ she felt moved to speak against the bill.

Cut 10 (12) “…the bill.” 

House Bill 156, in its amended form, passed on a 26 to 11 vote in the Senate and it now returns to the House for a vote.

_________________________________________________________

Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveiled recommendations today to support public school teachers and students. The “Let Teachers, teach” workgroup focused on identifying classroom disruptions and ways to unburden teachers with unrealistic expectations, and putting practical solutions in place to allow teachers to focus on teaching. Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (06) ” …not what to think.”

Landry says classrooms should be learning environments not babysitting environmnet.
Brumley says help is on the way to restore common sense policies, protect teachers time and bring law and order back to school campuses. Brumley shared a few recommendations, from removing cell phones from the classroom and students who misbehave

Cut 12 (11) “…from learning.” 

Brumley says they also want to support student mental health challenges through trained professionals…

Cut 13 (08) “…mental health professionals” 

A state Department of Education spokesperson says some recommendations will require state action others can be addressed at the school or school system level.

____________________________________________________________________

Congressman Garret Graves says U-S Supreme Court was lazy with its decision on ordering the state to use the Congressional map with two majority Black districts for this year’s federal elections. Graves still believes the political boundaries for this map are racially gerry mandered…

Cut  14 (12) “…figure it out later.” 

Graves will seek another term in Congress, but may not run in his sixth district, which has been redrawn to represent areas in Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Shreveport. He says there are another districts he could represent…

Cut 15 (13) “…South Louisiana.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have started O-T-As and they have Trevor Penning working at right tackle and this year’s first round pick Taliese Fauga (Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) is at left tackle. Ryan Ramczyk remains out with a knee injury and there’s a possibility is playing career is over. Coach Dennis Allen was asked about the lineup at offensive line…
cut 20 (20) “…thought process”
The Saints have released their preseason schedule. The first preseason game is at Arizona on August 10th. They will visit San Francisco on August 18th and the only home preseason game is August 25th against Tennessee.

Pelicans small forward Herb Jones has been named to the NBA’s first-team all-defensive squad. The 25-year-old led the Pelicans in steals with 105 and second in blocks with 62.

The LSU Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season. They opened the SEC Tournament with a nine to one win over Georgia and they lead Kentucky two to nothing as they enter the late stages of today’s game. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…
cut 17 (12) “….realizes that’
Rogers says LSU will be one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cajuns begin play in the Sun Belt Tournament this afternoon at four PM in Montgomery, Alabama. U-L Lafayette will face Old Dominion. Rogers says the Cajuns pitching has been strong, now their bats are cooking…
cut 19 (20) “…as well”

In Ruston, the Conference USA tournament is underway. Louisiana Tech is scheduled to play Middle Tennessee in the third game of the day. Bulldogs two-way star Ethan Bates is the Conference USA Player of the year.