07:30 LRN Sportscast

At the boys basketball state championships…Avoyelles Charter won its second straight as the Vikings defeated J-S Clark 40-38. Zwolle also won its second in a row as the Hawks took down Anaccoco for the second straight year in the state title game. Wossman defeated Iowa 70-65 as Kyrstian Lewis had 25 points and Franklin won its first state title in 66 years with a 50-45 win over Lakeview.

The ninth ranked LSU Lady Tigers were determined to avoid the upset last night against Auburn. LSU scored the first 21 points of the game and went on to win 78-48. Flau-Jae Johnson had a season-high 25 points. LSU gets Ole Mis today at 6:00 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Pelicans beat the 76ers 103 to 95. Zion Williamson had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

The second ranked LSU baseball got another great start from Luke Holman as they blanked Xavier 4 to nothing. Holman did not give up a hit through six innings and struck out ten. The Tigers face Xavier again today at 5 PM.
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Louisiana Tech dropped its second straight as the Bulldogs lost to Southern Miss nine to four. Tulane outscored the Ragin Cajuns 11 to eight, ULM crushed Alabama A-and-M 11 to 1.

The LSU men’s basketball team closes out the regular season tonight as they will host Missouri at 7:30 PM. Mizzou has not won an SEC game and they are 0-17 in league play.

The Ragin Cajuns will begin the difficult task of trying to win three straight games in three days to repeat the Sun Belt Tournament. U-L Lafayette will play Arkansas State at 2 PM. The Cajuns beat the Red Wolves twice this season.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball closes out the regular season against Middle Tennessee at 2 PM. The Bulldogs will be the two seed in the Conference USA tournament.

The Southland Conference men’s basketball tournament begins Sunday in Lake Charle tomorrow. Southeastern Louisiana battles UNO and Northwestern State takes on Texas A-and-M Commerce.

4:45 LRN Sporscast

The LSU women’s basketball team takes on Auburn today in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The Lady Tigers lost to Auburn on the Plains in January but beat the War Eagles at home last month. SEC Freshman of the Year Mikayla Williams is questionable for the tournament with a foot injury.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tournament after beating Coastal Carolina 80 to 66 yesterday. U-L Lafayette will play Arkansas State tomorrow afternoon.

Louisiana Tech will not win a Conference USA regular season championship as they lost to Sam Houston for a second time this season last night, 72 to 66. The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season on Saturday against Middle Tennessee.

The second ranked LSU baseball team hosts Xavier this weekend. It’s the final non-conference three game series of the year. Louisiana Tech hosts Southern Miss, Tulane is at U-L Lafayette.

Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu has signed a two-year deal that will pay him 13-million dollars through the 2025 season. Mathieu was selected by the Saints as their nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his community service work. He’s also playing at a high level. In his two seasons in New Orleans, he’s started all 34 games and intercepted seven passes. But he wants to lead the Black and Gold to the playoffs
Cut 14 (12) “..opportunity”

LSU will have to figure out how to run the football without Jayden Daniels accounting for over one-thousand yards on the ground. Coach Brian Kelly says they’ll be asking their veteran and athletic offensive line to do more…
cut 19 (16) “….wider front”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Early voting for the March 23rd presidential preference primary begins tomorrow. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says Democrats and Republicans will only be allowed to vote for presidential candidates in their respective party.
Cut 9 (10) “…remind everybody.”
There are also local elections in 24 parishes in which all voters may cast their ballots regardless of party.

Lake Charles has made Southern Living’s rankings for Best Cities on the Rise. Southern Living says Lake Charles has rebounded from Hurricane Laura in 2020 and mayor Nic Hunter says the city is about ready to launch it’s latest attraction…
cut 18 (11) “…our lakefront”

Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow troopers, a select of group of men and women achieved their goal of completing the Louisiana State Police Training Academy this morning. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

Among the bills filed for the upcoming legislative session is one that could result in certain convicted sex offenders having to get vasectomies….
cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The owners of a farm where a two faced calf was born say the calf is making progress as it’s a week old. Deux Face is being cared for at Breaux Farms in Vermilion Parish. She has four eyes, two noses, two mouths and her head is very heavy for her body. Deux Face faces long odds of living past a month.

33 cadets graduate from the Louisiana State Police training academy today. Captain Nick Manale says the 103rd cadet class spent 24 weeks learning how to become a State Trooper and now they’ll spend more time training with a veteran trooper…
cut 7 (08) “….Louisiana State Trooper”
Manale says they have about 900 troopers and plan to have another cadet class soon.

There’s the potential for severe weather as the day goes on. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is moving through the state and we’ll see cooler temperatures this weekend….
cut 5 (11) “….around 70″
Sunday looks like a nice day and don’t forget we spring forward on Sunday so set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana lawmakers will begin a three-month long legislative session on Monday and one of the bills filed would give judges the ability to order a vasectomy for a convicted sex offender. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says she’s filed the legislation, because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not have exceptions for rape and incest. We asked Boyd why a vasectomy and not castration….
cut 8 (10) “…be reversed”

Lake Charles has made Southern Living’s rankings for Best Cities on the Rise. Southern Living says Lake Charles has rebounded from Hurricane Laura in 2020 and mayor Nic Hunter says the city is about ready to launch it’s latest attraction…
cut 11 (11) “…our lakefront”

We’re seeing some strong storms in central Louisiana at this hour and along the I-20 corridor. Northeast Louisiana is under a flood watch through tonight. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says the rest of the state could see less than an inch of rain from this storm system…
cut 6 (08) “…any stretch”
Expect cooler temperatures for the weekend.

Early voting for Louisiana’s Presidential primary begins tomorrow and runs through next Saturday, except for Sunday. Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Donald Trump. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says each state decides on when to hold a presidential primary and Louisiana’s law says late March
Cut 14 (14) “…the state”
Hogan says even if Haley remained in the race, it’s likely Trump would still be a big winner in the Louisiana Republican Presidential Primary.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Starting with next school year, it will no longer be a requirement for a high school senior to complete a form to see if they are eligible for federal aid to attend college. BESE President Ronnie Morris says they are making the change over concerns about privacy and the requirement is an additional burden on parents. He says schools will continue to assist students who do want to submit a FAFSA form…
cut 16 (12) “…for graduation”

A bill requiring convicted sex offenders to have a vasectomy has been filed for the regular session. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow exceptions for rape or incest, she feels the vasectomy requirement is needed.
Cut 7 (04) “…protecting women.”
The regular legislative session begins Monday. Boyd’s bill is among the more than 1,000 bills filed for the session.

Scattered thunderstorms are impacting the state this morning and there’s the potential for severe weather as the day goes on. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is moving through the state and we’ll see cooler temperatures this weekend….
cut 5 (11) “….around 70”
Sunday looks like a nice day and don’t forget we spring forward on Sunday so set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Two Louisiana cities ended up on Southern Living Magazine’s list of Best Cities on the Rise. Covington came in at number 11 and at 22 it’s Lake Charles. Lake Charles has been in recovery mode since Hurricane Laura in 2020 but Mayor Nic Hunter says this ranking is confirmation the city is bouncing back in a big way….
cut 12 (10) “…visit Lake Charles”
This weekend in Lake Charles, it’s the boys basketball state championships starting today at noon.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has signed the bill that provides three million dollars in funding to send Louisiana National Guard troops to Texas to help with border security operations. The Louisiana National Guard will send 50 soldiers to Texas on three different one month long rotations. The first rotation will start its mission by next Friday.

The regular session begins next week and a bill that will certainly grab headlines is a proposal that would require convicted sex offenders to have vasectomies.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting begins tomorrow for Louisiana’s March 23rd presidential primary. It’s already been decided who will represent the Republican and Democrat Party in November and LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says since Louisiana leans heavily toward Donald Trump, it’s unlikely Trump or President Joe Biden will make any campaign appearances here, unless it’s too raise money…
cut 15 (10) “…usually”

Southern Living has named two Louisiana towns in their list of Best Cities on the Rise in 2024. After hurricanes, flooding, and the pandemic, the recovery and renaissance of Lake Charles is inspiring says Mayor Nic Hunter and he is proud to be number 22 on this list…
Cut 10 (09) “…and inspiring.”
Covington came in at number 11.

LRN Sportscast 6:45 March 8

The LSU football team is in the first week of spring practice and one of the major storylines is Harold Perkins moving back to inside linebacker. The Tigers planned to play him at inside linebacker last season, but scrapped the idea after the season opening loss to Florida State. Coach Brian Kelly says they still believe Perkins can be most impactful as an inside backer…
cut 20 (19) “…will linebacker position”

In college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech lost its first place Conference USA showdown to Sam Houston 72 to 66. The Bulldogs made only three three-pointers on the night.

The Ragin Cajuns beat Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Tournament 80-66 and they’ll play Arkansas State on Saturday in the quarterfinals.

Saints receiver Michael Thomas is expected to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on Wednesday. Thomas is one of the most decorated receivers in Saints history, but Locked on Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says Thomas’s availability and relationship with the team deteriorated after suffering an avoidable injury early in the 2020 season…
Cut 16 (17) “…strange situation.”
Thomas has only appeared in 20 games the last four seasons.

Saints defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is not going anywhere. The Honey Badger has signed a new two-year contract that keeps him with his hometown team through 2025. In the past two seasons for the Saints, Mathieu has started all 34 games and intercepted seven passes.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Early voting begins tomorrow for the March 23rd Louisiana presidential primary. The race has already been decided as former President Donald Trump will be the Republican Party presidential nominee and current President Joe Biden is the Democrat’s nominee. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…
Cut 13 (07) “…process”
Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Mr. Trump.

LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state is under a slight risk of severe weather today and into early tomorrow morning. The greatest chance for severe weather is north of the I-10-12 corridor.
Cut 4 (10) “…flash flood.”
Northeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through late tonight.

Two Louisiana cities have been named to the list of the Best Cities on the Rise 2024 by Southern Living. Colleen Crain has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

LRN AM Newscall updated weather story March 8

Among the bills filed for the upcoming session is one requiring convicted sex offenders to have vasectomies. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 Two Louisiana cities have been named to the list of the Best Cities on the Rise 2024 by Southern Living. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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Early voting begins Saturday for the Louisiana Presidential Primary, even though the party nominations have already been decided. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

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LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says much of the state is under a slight risk of severe weather today and into early tomorrow morning. The greatest chance for severe weather is north of the I-10-12 corridor.

Cut 4 (10) “…flash flood.”

Northeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch through late tonight.

Once the line starts to develop, it should move out of the Bayou State by early tomorrow morning. Keim says we’ll see cooler temperatures this weekend.

Cut 5 (11) “…around 70.” 

Keim says it could still be a bumpy ride for some parts of the state today. He says projected rainfall totals could produce some flash flooding in northeast Louisiana, the rest of the could see less than an inch.

Cut 6 (08) “…any stretch.”

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A bill requiring convicted sex offenders to have a vasectomy has been filed for the regular session. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd says because Louisiana’s abortion ban does not allow exceptions for rape or incest, she feels the vasectomy requirement is needed.

Cut 7 (04) “…protecting women.”

A vasectomy is a medical procedure that cuts the supply of sperm to semen and acts as a form of birth control. When asked why she opted for a vasectomy versus castration which is the complete removal of the testicles….

Cut 8 (10) “…be reversed.” 

The Democrat says House Bill 166 is simple and gets straight to the point.

Cut 9 (09)  “…supposed to.”

The regular legislative session begins Monday. Boyd’s bill is among the more than 1,000 bills filed for the session.

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Southern Living has named two Louisiana towns in their list of Best Cities on the Rise 2024. After facing devastating storms and difficulties, the recovery and renaissance of Lake Charles is inspiring says Mayor Nic Hunter and he is proud to be number 22 on this list…

Cut 10 (09) “…and inspiring.”

The readers of Southern Living selected the cities for their quaint downtown districts, food scenes, arts communities and natural beauty. Hogan says the citizens and businesses of Lake Charles put in much hard work to reach this level of success and they continue to better the city…

Cut 11 (11) “…our lakefront.” 

Hogan says he is honored to be recognized and he expressed gratitude for the inspirational work done in his city. He also thanked everyone across the state and extended an invitation…

Cut 12 (10) “…visit Lake Charles.” 

Covington, called North Shore’s Renaissance was also honored as number 11 on the list.

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Early voting begins tomorrow for the March 23rd Louisiana presidential primary. The race has already been decided as former President Donald Trump will be the Republican Party presidential nominee and current President Joe Biden is the Democrat’s nominee. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan…

Cut 13 (07)  “…process”

Nikki Haley’s decision to suspend her campaign following Super Tuesday locked up the Republican nomination for Mr. Trump. Hogan says each state decides on when to hold a presidential primary and Louisiana decided to hold it in late March..

Cut 14 (14) “…the state”

Hogan says even if Haley remained in the race, it’s likely Trump would still be a big winner in the Louisiana Republican Presidential Primary. He also expects Trump to win big in Louisiana in the November general election, so do not expect any campaign stops from the candidates in the Bayou State, unless it’s too raise money

Cut 15 (10) “…usuaully.”

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Saints receiver Michael Thomas is expected to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. Thomas is one of the most decorated receivers in Saints history, but Locked on Saints Podcast Host Ross Jackson says Thomas’s availability and relationship with the team deteriorated after suffering an avoidable injury early in the 2020 season…

Cut 16 (17) “…strange situation.” 

Thomas has only appeared in 20 games the last four seasons.

New Orleans will be left with top targets Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed to lead the receiver room. Olave has cemented himself as one of the best young wideouts in the NFL and Shaheed a top return man and deep threat. The next top returning target-getter will be sophomore A.T. Perry who showed flashes his rookie year garnering 4 touchdowns on only 12 receptions. Jackson says adding depth at the position is a priority this offseason…

Cut 17 (20) “…or in the draft.” 

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The early days of spring practice are underway as LSU football explores life after Jayden Daniels. Co-Offensive Coordinators Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton will look to find new playmakers after losing Daniels and top threats of the nation’s number one offense Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the draft. Head Coach Brian Kelly says the coaching staff will continue to get the ball in the best players’ hands…

Cut 18 (19)  “…some changes.” 

In addition to college football’s number one passer, the Tigers will also be losing their leading rusher in Daniels. Many fans expect to see a return to a more traditional run-heavy offense with LSU’s stacked running back room. Kelly, however, says it’s the versatility of the offensive line which will be key to improving the run game…

Cut 19 (16) “…wider front.”

Linebacker Harold Perkins made headlines last offseason as the team planned to move him from his original edge rusher spot back to inside linebacker. The experiment lasted only one game in the regular season but Kelly and new Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker are looking to try again. Kelly, Baker, and Perkins agree a new defensive structure and coaches will be the difference this year…

Cut 20 (19) “…will linebacker.”