8:30 LRN Newscast

The FBI is looking at foreign trips made by Shamsud-Din Jabbar before he carried out his attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day that killed 14 people. FBI Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Mytrhil says Jabbar traveled to Canada and Egypt in 2023…

Cut 12 (08) “…in New Orleans’

Mythril says Jabbar was also in New Orleans in October and rode through the French Quarter on a bike and used smart glasses to record video of the buildings.

Schools re-open today following the winter break and a law went into effect at the start of the new year requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public-school classroom. A federal judge has ruled the law unconstitutional, but the state is appealing. Attorney General Liz Murrill says only five school districts are impacted by the ruling and her office has provided guidance on how others can follow the state law without violating the constitution…

Cut 8 (12) “….and comply constitutionally”

The Saints ended their season yesterday with another loss and finished with a 5-and-12 record, while the NBA Pelicans have the worst record in the Western Conference. Nola.com columnist Jeff Duncan expects owner Gayle Benson to make some major changes.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

A strong cold front has brought us the coldest temperatures of the winter, with wind chill readings below freezing. This cold weather is expected to remain in place for nearly the entire week.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The FBI says the Houston man who killed 14 people on Bourbon Street on New Year’s day visited New Orleans on at least two occasions in the weeks leading up to his terror attack. FBI Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Mytrhil says during an October visit, he recorded reconnaissance video of Bourbon Street with smart glasses…

Cut 11 (19) “…contact us.”

Deputy Assistant Director of the counterterrorism division, Christopher Raia, says they still believe Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone…

Cut 27 (11) “…and disrupt”

President Joe Biden will visit New Orleans today where he’s expected to visit with victim family members and attend a prayer service.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is critical of New Orleans leadership for not doing more to prevent the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. Nungesser doesn’t understand why there wasn’t more of an impediment for vehicles to get on Bourbon Street. The city says they were making repairs to their bollard system, but Nungesser wonders why those repairs were not done before the New Year’s holiday…

Cut 4 (11) “…angers me”

Winter break is over and schools re-open today and there’s a new law that says public school classrooms must display the Ten Commandments. A federal judge has ruled the law is unconstitutional and Louisiana has appealed the ruling. Attorney General Liz Murrill says there are constitutionally sound ways to implement the law and her office has provided schools with guidance….

Cut 9  (12) “…see them”

Murrill concedes that posting the Ten Commandments by itself without any educational context violates the First Amendment.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints 2024 season is finally over as New Orleans gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and lost to Tampa Bay 27 to 19. Quarterback Spencer Rattler made some nice throws in the first half and finished with 240 yards passing and a touchdown. The rookie is disappointed they couldn’t come away with the victory…

Cut 18 (16) “…from as well”

New Orleans finishes with a 5-and-12 record, their worst season since 2005. Changes are coming, but NOLA.com columnist Jeff Duncan says he’d be shocked if General Manager Mickey Loomis got the boot…

Cut 14 (19) “….clean house”

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team outscored Auburn 27 to 8 in the second quarter and went on to win 73 to 63 at the PMAC yesterday afternoon. Aneesah Morrow had 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Lady Tigers are now 17 and-0.

The LSU men’s basketball team dropped its SEC opener on Saturday falling to Vanderbilt 80 to 72. The loss stings for the Tigers, who will play the next four out of five on the road. Coach Matt McMahon says they have to move past this loss…

Cut 20 (09) “….this season”

LSU is at Missouri tomorrow night.

In other action…the Ragin Cajuns and ULM both lost on Saturday. Louisiana Tech is off to an 0-and-2 start in Conference USA. McNeese and Northwestern State are both 3-and-0 in the Southland. The Demons host the Cowboys tonight.

Grambling is at Texas Southern tonight in a game that can be seen on ESPNU.

The Pelicans have won two in a row as they defeated Washington for the second time in three nights, beating the Wizards 110 to 98 in D-C.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Federal authorities say the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street could have claimed more lives if officers did not kill the suspect after he crashed into construction equipment. Joshua Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the A-T-F New Orleans field office, says Shamsud-Din Jabbar possessed a transmitter with radio receivers designed to ignite two bombs that he placed on Bourbon Street

Cut 10 (09) “…set off the devices.”

Jabbar died in a gun fight with New Orleans Police officers after his vehicle crashed.

Schools reopen after the winter break today and Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued guidance for public schools regarding compliance with Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law, despite the law facing a legal challenge. But Murrill says there are constitutionally sound ways to display the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom…

Cut 7 (13) “….with the law”

A federal judge has ruled the law unconstitutional, but Murrill says that order only pertains to five public school districts, while they appeal the ruling. The ACLU disagrees and says every school system needs to follow the ruling.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is criticizing New Orleans leadership following the deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street, labeling the preventive measures as lacking. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Cold weather has arrived in Louisiana and wind chills are below freezing for most of the state, north of I-10 and I-12. And we expect morning lows for most of this week will be below freezing for much of the state.

Another earthquake has been reported in Caddo Parish. The U-S Geological Survey says the 3.0 quake struck after 11 PM last night in Mooringsport. Last month, this area also felt similar quakes.

LRN PM Newscall January 3

In the wake of the New Year’s Day Terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, French Quarter businesses are asking what can be done to prevent something like it from happening again.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

A vigil will be held Saturday night at seven in memory of the 14 innocent victims of Wednesday morning’s terror attack on Bourbon Street. Meanwhile, after being closed for nearly 36 hours, Bourbon Street is getting back to normal. Andrew Greenstein was there last night.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson of Benton was re-elected as House Speaker, but it came with drama. Two Republican Congressmen initially voted for someone else, but switched their support when given another chance, giving Johnson the necessary votes to retain the gavel. Johnson told the House it’s time to get to work and that means putting Americans first again…

Cut 3 (12) “…working people.” 

Johnson says there will be a focus on common sense legislation that includes strengthening the southern border, renewing the Trump era tax cuts and returning to energy dominance…

Cut 4 (12) “…do so.”

______________________________________

Many of the victims of Wednesday’s attack on Bourbon Street were brought to University Medical Center in New Orleans. Chief Medical Officer Jeffrey Elder: 

Cut 5 (14) “…sister LCMC Hospitals.”

Elder says the majority of the injuries that hospital personnel treated were orthopedic injuries – broken bones, including arms and legs. They had some gunshot wounds and blunt trauma, including head and chest. Elder says some patients remain hospitalized, and others have been released.

Cut 6 (09) “…from the hospital.”

______________________________________________________________

Days after the New Year’s Day Terror attack on Bourbon Street people are asking how this happened and what can be done to prevent anything like it from happening again.  Russell Desmond owner of Arcadian Books located in the French Quarter, says things are getting back to normal.

Cut 7 (09) “…a week ago.”

Desmond says there’s an increased security presence around the French Quarter and he said it was on full display for Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl as bomb sniffing dogs were checking vehicles attempting to park at the Dome. He says it’s all in effort to put people more at ease…

Cut 8 (14) “…crowd events.”

Desmond says moving forward is necessary for the city, and says we need to remember those lost and put security measures in place to prevent attacks like this in the future.

Cut 9 (11)  “…doesn’t happen again.”

______________________________________________________________

Things are returning to normal on Bourbon Street, two days after a terrorist plowed a pickup truck into a crowd, killing 14 innocent people. Crowds returned to one of the country’s most famous streets after it was closed for nearly 36 hours after the attack. One woman visiting New Orleans from Indiana says the incident will not keep her from returning to the city.

Cut 10 (05) “…100-percent come back.”

One New Orleans pastor says he’s heartbroken that such a heinous event happened in the City of New Orleans.

Cut 11 (10) “…those different things.”

A vigil will be held Saturday night at seven in memory of those killed in the attack.

__________________________________________________________

The mild weather we’ve been experiencing will come to an end on Sunday as the coldest weather of the season will begin to make its way into the Bayou State. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will be in the 70s on Sunday, but be prepared for a big change…

Cut 12 (10) “…so far.”

Keim says the threat of severe weather exists Sunday for nearly the entire state, starting Sunday morning for northwest Louisiana and moving across the state as the day goes on…

Cut 13 (05)  “…lookout for that.”

High temperatures statewide on Monday will only be in the 40s and Keim says morning lows will be several degrees below the freezing mark…

Cut 14 (09) “…whole week.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A sense of normalcy is returning to the French Quarter, two days after the first ever terrorist attack on the city of New Orleans that left 15 people dead including the suspected terrorist who died in a gunfight with police on Bourbon Street.

Russell Desmond owner of Arcadian Books located in the French Quarter, and he says there’s an increased security presence around the French Quarter and he said it was on full display for Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl as bomb sniffing dogs were checking vehicles…

Cut 8 (14) “…crowd events.”

One New Orleans pastor says he’s heartbroken that such a heinous event happened in his city….

Cut 11 (10) “…those different things.”

The 119th Congress was sworn in today, and the Republican controlled House and Senate say they have a mandate from voters to improve the livelihoods of Americans. Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says they have an ambitious agenda to carry out in the first 100 days…

Cut 3 (11) “…America’s economy.”

The first order of business is to elect a House Speaker and Louisiana’s Mike Johnson fell two votes short from staying on as speaker. There will be another vote.

The coldest air of the winter will hit the state in a couple of days. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Sunday will start out warm, but a strong cold front will drop High temperatures on Monday into the 40s….

Cut 14 (09) “…whole week.”

There’s also a chance for severe weather on Sunday.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A vigil will be held Saturday night at seven in memory of the 14 innocent victims of Wednesday morning’s terror attack on Bourbon Street. Meanwhile, after being closed for nearly 36 hours, Bourbon Street is getting back to normal. Andrew Greenstein was there last night.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

President Biden is scheduled to travel to New Orleans on Monday to visit victim family members.

Early reports said multiple suspects were involved in the attack, but now the FBI says Shamsud Din Jabbar acted alone. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says Jabbar had three cell phones and two laptops; and after searching the devices they can confirm that no information on the devices linked anyone else to the attack.

Cut 14 (10) “…attack by anybody.”

The FBI said today that investigators found bomb making materials at Jabbar’s residence in Houston.

A new Congress has convened in Washington D-C. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish says lowering inflation is a priority for the Republican led House…

Cut 4 (10) “…100 days”

Voting is taking place at this hour to see if Louisiana’s Mike Johnson will remain the House Speaker.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A pall of sadness hovered over one of the most festive areas in in the world until it was reopened yesterday afternoon. Andrew Greenstein talked with people passing by Bourbon Street prior to its reopening.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Russell Desmond owns Arcadian Books on Orleans Street and says normalcy is returning…

Cut 7 (09) “… a week ago”

Early reports said multiple suspects were involved in the New Orleans terrorist attack, now the FBI says Shamsud Din Jabbar acted alone. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia confirmed there was no one else assisting Jabbar in placing two functional IEDs in coolers in the area…

Cut 13 (12)  “…put that to rest.”

The FBI has released photos of Jabbar placing the devices. And the FBI said today they found bomb-making chemicals at his home in Houston.

Georgia was eliminated from the College Football Playoff last night as the Bulldogs lost to Notre Dame 23 to 10 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart says he’s still proud of his team….

Cut 12 (12) “…this game”

Notre Dame moves on to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are preparing for one more game this season as they will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season finale. The Bucs can win the NFC South with a victory and interim head coach Darren Rizzi wants to play the role of spoiler…

Cut 17 (08) “…into the playoffs”

Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara are still not practicing because of injuries and running back Kendre Miller is in concussion protocol, which means we could see more of Clyde Edwards Helaire on Sunday.

In the Sugar Bowl last night, Notre Dame defeated Georgia 23 to 10 to advance to the semifinals of the college football playoffs. The terrorist attack postponed the game to Thursday afternoon and Irish quarterback Riley Leonard says the extra day gave them more time to prepare…

Cut 11 (07) “…paid off today”

Notre Dame will play Penn State in the Orange Bowl next Thursday.

The LSU Gymnastics team begins defense today of its national title as it faces Iowa State in the opening meet of the 2025 season. Coach Jay Clark says before the meet, they will unveil the 2024 national championship banner…

Cut 29 (25) “…another one of those”

Two-time NCAA national champion Haleigh Bryant is not competing tonight because of an elbow injury. But senior all-arounder Aleah Finnegan is back.

The sixth ranked LSU women’s basketball team remained perfect on the season last night with a 98 to 64 win over Arkansas to tip off SEC play.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team is 2-and-0 in the Sun Belt after beating Coastal Carolina 71 to 68, Georgia Southern upended ULM 90 to 82 and Louisiana Tech lost at UTEP 70 to 60.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Federal investigators are now saying the terrorist attack in the New Orleans French Quarter was not a coordinated event. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of Counter Terrorism Christopher Raia says 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar acted alone when he drove at a high rate of speed on Bourbon Street.

Cut 25 (12) “…been briefed on.”

Jabbar drove from Houston to New Orleans on December 30th posting Facebook videos. In one video, Jabbar proclaimed his support of ISIS.

At around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, Bourbon Street re-opened. Governor Jeff Landry…

Cut 30 (08) “….pressure of life”

This woman from Indiana says the city’s response has been tremendous…

Cut 6 (04) “….everything was wonderful”

A tight vote is expected in the U-S House today as Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson seeks re-election as Speaker of the House.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Baton Rouge Democrat Cleo Fields returns to Congress today representing the newly drawn Sixth District. Fields served as a U-S Representative from 1993 to 1997 and knows Washington is much more partisan now…

Cut 9 (10) “..meaningful done”