LRN PM Newscall December 29

The Independence Bowl always means a huge economic impact for the greater Shreveport-Bossier City area, and this year is expected to be no different. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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It is a windy day and the temperature is falling. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has more on this last arctic blast before the new year…

Cut 2 (30) “…Bill Jacquemin.”

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The LSU football season couldn’t have ended a moment too soon for these fans who were at the Texas Bowl Saturday night.

Cut 3 (04) “…it was terrible.”

A season that started with aspirations of the College Football Playoff ended with an interim coach leading a patchwork lineup to a 38-35 loss to Houston to finish the season with a record of 7-and-6. This fan is ready to turn the page.

Cut 4 (05) “…the portal hard.”

The transfer portal opens Friday.

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The Saints are finishing 2025 on a high note as the Black and Gold won their fourth straight yesterday, rallying to beat Tennessee 34-26 in Nashville. New Orleans fell behind 13-0 and trailed by ten points at halftime, but completed the come back with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Coach Kellen Moore says it was their most impressive win of the year…

Cut 5 (13) “…second half.”

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough improved to 5-3 as a starter as he had his second straight 300-yard passing game, throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Shough is a big reason why the Saints have turned their season around after a 1-8 start and he appreciates Who Dat Nation’s big showing in Nashville…

Cut 6 (10) “…like that.”

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The 49th playing of the Independence Bowl is expected to produce an economic impact of about 6.4-million dollars this year. Emma Boone with Visit Shreveport-Bossier says the fact that one of the teams, Louisiana Tech, is close by is actually a very good thing.

Cut 7 (11) “…in Shreveport-Bossier.”

Boone says whether the fans are taking the short drive from Ruston or taking a long drive or a flight from Conway, South Carolina, they will be in for a treat when visiting Shreveport.

Cut 8 (07) “..Shreveport-Bossier special.”

Boone says there will be plenty of things for them to do today and tomorrow.

Cut 9 (14)  “…Coca-Cola Fan Fest.”

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What happened to the 80-degree temperatures that we saw over the weekend? A strong cold front has brought Old Man Winter back to the Bayou State and LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the cold air is accompanied by windy conditions…

Cut 10 (08) “…lower 20s.”

Jacquemin says north Louisiana should prepare for below freezing temperatures tonight and into tomorrow morning…

Cut 11 (07) “…southeast parishes.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints were down by 13 points but came from behind to beat Tennessee 34-26 yesterday improving to 6 – 10. Defensive end Chase Young started the rally in the second quarter by stripping the ball away from Titans quarterback Cam Ward and returning the fumble 33 yards for a T-D. Young is playing at a high level, and so are the Saints…

Cut 14 (14) “…keep fighting.”

New Orleans will try to end the regular season on a five-game winning streak when they visit Atlanta this Sunday for the final game of the 2025 season.

LSU women’s basketball completed a dominant run through its non-conference schedule by beating Alabama State 109 to 41 yesterday. SEC play tips off New Year’s day night as LSU hosts 11th ranked Kentucky at 7 PM.

 

The 2025 LSU football season came to a close on Saturday night with a 38 to 35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl. Interim head coach Frank Wilson had this message for his team after the game…

Cut 18 (09) “…of the game”

LSU’s loss drops Louisiana teams to 0-and-3 in bowl games. Louisiana Tech is the Bayou State’s last hope on Tuesday in the Independence Bowl against Coastal Carolina.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball begins its final season in Conference USA tonight by hosting UTEP at 6:30 in the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs are 7-4-, while the Miners are 4-and-7.

The LSU men play its final non-conference game tonight as they host Southern Miss. The Tigers are 11-and-1, while the Golden Eagles are 7-6.

McNeese is at 2nd ranked Michigan, while Northwestern State hosts Lamar and Nicholls is at Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Hundreds of National Guard troops are set to deploy to cities throughout Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A shooting in the Richwood area of Monroe left one 17-year-old dead and another 17-year-old injured. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Monroe Police detectives are asking the public for clues. If you have any information call Crime Stoppers of North Delta or Monroe P-D.

 

We enjoyed temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s this weekend, but LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a strong cold front has led to a considerable drop in the temperatures.

Cut 5 (07) “…along the coast.”

Warm weather will return for New Year’s Day.

The Saints were down by 13 points but came from behind to beat Tennessee 34-26 yesterday improving to 6 – 10. Defensive end Chase Young started the rally in the second quarter by stripping the ball away from Titans quarterback Cam Ward and returning the fumble 33 yards for a T-D. Young is playing at a high level, and so are the Saints…

Cut 14 (14) “…keep fighting.”

The Saints wrap up the season this Sunday in Atlanta.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints won their fourth straight on Sunday as they rallied back from an early 13-point deficit to beat Tennessee 34 to 26. For the second straight week, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough threw for more than 300 yards as he threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Shough says the team was not down despite trailing by ten-points at halftime…

Cut 15 (13) “… great team win”

Coach Kellen Moore was impressed with Shough’s performance, who is now one of the favorites for NFL Rookie of the Year..…

Cut 19 (13) “…the right way”

New Orleans concludes the regular season on Sunday at noon against the Falcons.

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A highly anticipated 2025 LSU football season ended with a thud on Saturday night, losing to the Houston Cougars 38 to 35 in the Texas Bowl. Quarterback Michael Van Buren had a good showing in the loss, throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Van Buren says he hopes he’ll be part of the 2026 Tigers…

Cut 17 (09) “…see what happens”

The transfer portal opens Friday and head coach Lane Kiffin will be looking at possibly signing multiple quarterbacks. The Tigers also need to rebuild their offensive and defensive lines.

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team finished off the non-conference portion of its schedule with another dominating victory, beating Alabama State 109 to 41 to go to 14-0. It’s the 11th time LSU has scored more than 100 points.

In men’s hoops. ULM fell to Kansas State 94 to 85 and the Cajuns defeated Norfolk State 63- to 54. Tonight McNeese is at second ranked Michigan.

LRN AM Newscall December 29

Hundreds of National Guard troops are set to deploy to cities throughout Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Researchers at Tulane University are taking the lead on a vaccine to combat a little-known, potentially deadly bacterium. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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LSU football’s 2025 season has mercifully come to an end with a loss in the Texas Bowl. Andrew Greenstein is at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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I hope you enjoyed the warm weather during the Christmas holiday, because you’ll be in for a rude awakening this week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the cold weather that we normally associate with Christmas is here now.

Cut 4 (09) “…Gulf Coast today.”

Winter in Louisiana is typically a three-month-long rollercoaster ride, with massive temperature swings, and so far this winter is no exception. Keim says the latest drop starts today.

Cut 5 (07) “…along the coast.”

Keim says you’ll really be in for a rude awakening as you leave your house to go to work tomorrow and Wednesday – assuming that you’re indeed going to work and are not taking the week off.

Cut 6 (08) “…I-10/I-12 corridor.”

Temperatures should return to the 70s this weekend, give or take depending on where in the state you are.

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As Louisiana gets set to ring in the new year, President Trump is deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to the state. Trump is acting on a request from Governor Landry, who talked about it on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel.

Cut 7 (05) “…elsewhere around Louisiana.”

Landry said about 350 of those troops will be deployed to New Orleans, and they will stay beyond New Year’s and through Mardi Gras.

Cut 8 (07) “…we desperately need”

Whereas she had previously said that the deployment of the National Guard was a scare tactic meant to score political points, New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Morena now says she appreciates the support by federal partners, having been assured that it’s designed strictly to increase public safety and comes at no cost to the city. Landry says the state is always ready to help President Trump with national security.

Cut 9 (09)  “…so much better.”

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Researchers at Tulane have taken the lead in developing a vaccine to protect against a little-known, yet potentially deadly tropical disease. Dr. Lisa Morici with the Tulane University School of Medicine says after ten years of development, she and her team have taken their meliodosis vaccine from discovery through pre-clinical testing to GMP manufacturing of drug substance.

Cut 10 (08) “…perhaps in Europe.”

Dr. Morici says while it is little-known, meliodosis could have an impact locally.

Cut 11 (06) “…U.S. Gulf Coast.”

Meliodosis is sometimes known as the great mimicker, since it can look like a lot of different illnesses. Morici says it can infect any part of the body, especially the lungs and the blood stream – and the effects could be dire.

Cut 12 (11) “…high fatality rate.”

Morici and her team’s findings are published in the journal “Nature Communications.”

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The Saints fell behind 13-0, but rallied to take the lead in the fourth quarter and went on to beat Tennessee 34-26 for their fourth win in a row. Coach Kellen Moore has orchestrated the team’s longest winning streak in five years, but Moore gives credit to the players…

Cut 13 (09)  “…really special.”

Sunday was a special victory for New Orleans, which improved to 6- 10. Defensive end Chase Young started the rally in the second quarter by stripping the ball away from Titans quarterback Cam Ward and returning the fumble 33 yards for a T-D. Young is playing at a high level, and so are the Saints…

Cut 14 (14) “…keep fighting.”

For the second straight week, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough threw for more than 300 yards as he threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns versus the Titans. Shough says the team was not down despite trailing by ten-points at half…

Cut 15 (13) “…great team win.”

The Saints conclude the regular season by visiting Atlanta and looking to finish with a 7-10 record.

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The 2025 LSU Tigers football season has mercifully come to an end. The Tigers ended what was for all intents and purposes a disappointing season with a 38-35 loss to the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl in Houston. What started with dreams of the College Football Playoff ended with a record of 7-and-6. Interim head coach Frank Wilson said he really wanted the win for his team, who had to deal with a lot this season.

Cut 16 (12) “…was love LSU.”

Early on, it looked very good for LSU, jumping out to a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game, including a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the game. But in front of a crowd of almost 64-thousand, most of whom were rooting for the locals, the Cougars came back to take a 21-14 lead at halftime. The score was tied at 28 midway through the 4th when Houston kicked a field goal, then scored a touchdown with less than two and a half minutes left to send most of the LSU crowd to the exits. LSU scored a late touchdown but could not recover the onside kick.

Michael Van Buren completed 16 out of 26 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. He says he feels that he could lead the team going forward after being thrust into the starting role earlier than anyone had anticipated with the injury to Garrett Nussmeier.

Cut 17 (09)  “…see what happens.”

After the game, Wilson, who now leaves to become the running backs coach at Ole Miss, had a message for his team.

Cut 18 (09)  “…of the game.” 

LSU’s loss drops Louisiana teams to 0-and-3 in bowl games. Louisiana Tech is the Bayou State’s last hope on Tuesday in the Independence Bowl against Coastal Carolina.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The 2025 LSU football season comes to an end tonight. It started with high hopes, but it ends at the Texas Bowl, playing 21st ranked Houston. It will be Frank Wilson’s last game at LSU before he takes over as running backs coach at Ole Miss.

Wilson took over for the fired Brian Kelly, but is not part of the new coaching staff assembled by Lane Kiffin. Wilson spoke with reporters yesterday about not staying at LSU and the New Orleans native says no hard feelings…

Cut 15 (10) “…work it out”

Kiffin has hired his running backs coach at Ole Miss, Kevin Smith, to be the running backs coach at LSU, which left Wilson without a spot on LSU’s staff.

Tonight’s game is at 8:15. The Tigers will look to score more than 25 points against an FBS team. They have yet to do it this season.

 

The Saints will try to extend their win streak to four games on Sunday when they face the 3-and-12 Tennessee Titans. Running back Alvin Kamara will not play as he remains out with a knee-ankle injury. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (bruh-ZEE) is also out with a knee injury. Right guard Cesar Ruiz will also miss the game with an ankle injury. Receiver Chris Olave is questionable with a back injury, and kicker Charlie Smith is also questionable with an illness.

The Pelicans are feeling sick after missing 17 free throws in a 115 to 108 loss to the Suns. Devin Booker scored 30 points for the Phoenix, 12 of them came in the fourth quarter. The same two teams will play again tonight at the Smoothie King Center.

A member of LSU’s 2025 national championship baseball team has signed with the Kansas City Royals organization. Michael Braswell was a third baseman and shortstop for the Tigers, but he’s signed with K-C as a pitcher. He features a fastball in the mid-90s.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The 2025 season ends for the LSU football team tomorrow night as they will face 21st ranked Houston in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl in Houston at 8:15. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says the Tigers team that plays in the Texas Bowl will look much different than the one that played in the regular season…

Cut 14 (05) “…offensive line”

Two starting offensive lineman, Carrius Curne and Coen Echols, have announced plans to enter the transfer portal, but they are expected to play Saturday night. Starting right guard Josh Thompson will not play. Thompson is preparing for the NFL draft instead.

A member of the LSU’s 2025 national championship baseball team has signed with the Kansas City Royals organization. Michael Braswell was a third baseman and shortstop for the Tigers, but he’s signed with K-C as a pitcher. He features a fastball in the mid-90s.

 

The Saints will face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. It’s been a solid rookie campaign for offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Junior. Coach Kellen Moore says Banks has been steady all season long…

Cut 19  (29) “…credit to him”

One of the Titans edge rushers is Arden Key. The former LSU Tiger has four sacks on the season. Jeffery Simmons is Tennessee’s best defensive lineman with nine sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Kick off is at noon.

The Pelicans will host the Phoenix Suns the next two nights at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans is 8-23, while the Suns are 16-13 on the year.

8:30 LRN Newscast

The big news story this week is Governor Jeff Landry’s new volunteer job as President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland. Mr. Trump has said Greenland is critical to the United States’ national security interests. The arctic island is currently owned by Denmark, but Landry says Greenland could become a better country if owned by the U-S…

Cut 8 (08) “….they actually deserve”

That was Landry on Fox News this week. Greenland’s Prime Minister says they are not interested in being acquired by the United States.

There were two incidents in Louisiana on Christmas Day morning that required significant law enforcement involvement. A two-vehicle crash in St. James Parish resulted in four deaths and two injuries.

Caldwell Parish deputies shot a man yesterday morning to put an end to a hostage situation. Authorities say Forrest Nelson was shot in the head and transported to a local hospital. Officials say he held a woman against her will by using a knife.

 

2025 has been a difficult year for farmers because of low commodity prices. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says optimism that prices will increase in 2026 is low.

Cut 3 (11) “…face in 2026.”

Deliberto says Louisiana saw more than a 60-percent increase in corn acreage because of the low price of soybeans. But he says corn prices fell below four dollars last summer.

LSU plays a football game tomorrow night to finally wrap up the 2025 season. The Tigers will take on 21st-ranked Houston at 8:15 in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl. The game will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, and Tiger Rag magazine editor Glenn Guilbeau says there’s very little buzz surrounding this game.

Cut 12 (08) “…a game Saturday.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Denmark is not happy with President Trump’s appointment of Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland as Mr. Trump would like to purchase the Artic nation because the U-S needs Greenland for national security. During an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on the Fox News Channel, Landry says Denmark has neglected the country and other countries have taken advantage…

Cut 7 (08) “….the Western Hemisphere”

Greenland’s prime minister and the Danish government have repeatedly expressed their opposition to Trump’s designs for Greenland. Denmark owns Greenland, which has a population of 57-thousand, but the territory has a vast supply of minerals and rare earths.

LSU will play Houston in the Texas Bowl tomorrow night, but Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says several of the Tigers top players will not play in the game…

Cut 13 (09) “…Josh Thompson”

Also not playing for LSU, All-American safety A-J Haulcy.

 

2025 was not an easy year for farmers, because of low commodity prices. Corn prices fell below four dollars in the summer, rice prices also dropped 25-percent this year and LSU Ag Center Economist Michael Deliberto says sugarcane farmers will likely see a drop in 2026…

Cut 5 (11) “….going into 2026”

Deliberto says the one bright spot for producers is beef prices, which are near record levels, as ranchers are enjoying profitable conditions for the first time in a while.

One of the big stories of 2025 was the legal reforms approved by the Louisiana Legislature and signed by the governor that attempt to put an end to the frivolous lawsuits that some claim are part of the reason the state has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country…

Cut 11 (07) “…the legal standpoint”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the legal reforms approved this year should lead to premium reductions in 2026.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

One final practice for the LSU Tigers and then they’ll play Houston in the Texas Bowl tomorrow night. Tiger Rag Editor Glen Guilbeau says some of LSU’s best players have opted out of the game as they begin preparations for the NFL draft…

Cut 13 (09) “…Josh Thompson”

Eleven players on the 2025 team have also announced they plan on transferring, including two starting offensive linemen — Carrius Curne and Coen Echols. But LSU will reportedly make a push to keep Curne.

Governor Jeff Landry said college football is a complete mess in an op-ed piece that he wrote which was published by RealClearPolicy, a national domestic policy publication. Landry says centralized governance is needed to establish a spending cap and also set dates for when players can sign, when they can transfer and when coaches can take another job.

Sunday’s Saints game at Tennessee will feature two rookie starting quarterbacks. Tyler Shough has helped New Orleans win three in a row, while Cam Ward has thrown for nearly 29-hundred yards for a three win Titans team. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley says the talent is there when you watch the tape of the former number one pick…

Cut 30 (22) “…of his game”

Kick-off on Sunday is at noon in Nashville.

Yesterday in the NFL,…Dak Prescot threw for 307 yards and two TDs as the Cowboys defeated the Commanders 30-23.  Justin Jefferson had just four catches for 30 yards, but it was enough for the Vikings to beat Detroit 23-10. Sean Payton and the Broncos moved a step closer to winning the AFC West with a 20-13 win over the Chiefs.