7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry will a sign a bill today that would allow non felon adults to conceal carry without a permit. The legislation would go into effect on July 4th. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry would like to see legislation approved in the regular session that clarifies where you can and cannot carry a firearm…
cut 12 (11) “…bring it”

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and colorectal cancer is on the rise among adults under 55. GI Alliance Gastroenterologist Doctor Charles Berggreen says more millennials develop abnormal growths called polyps in the ascending portion of the colon.
Cut 13 (11) “…left side of the colon.”
The American Cancer Society says cancer rates in people younger than 50 years of age have been increasing by one percent to two percent a year since the mid-1990s.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has set up a way for employers to report to the state individuals who are on unemployment, but fail to show up for interviews or refuse job offers. LWC Secretary Susana Schowen says employers want to know if potential job seekers are acting in good faith when they apply for positions.
Cut 4 (12) “…to them.”
Schowen says if a b applicant fails to show up for an interview or refuses a job offer, an employer can report the incident by filling out online forms at the L-W-C website.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, 91-year-old Dixie Ramirez is serving her first term as a parish councilwoman. It’s her first time in political office and the former business owner says she was encouraged to run and she encourages others to do so, especially females…
cut 9 (09) “…is thriving”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon has suspended guard Jalen Cook from the team. McMahon says Cook has failed to meet the standards he has in place for the program. Cook has missed the last five games because of injury. The Tigers are at Arkansas on Wednesday.

McNeese cut down the nets last night after beating Houston Christian 87 to 69. The Cowboys are Southland champs and they just completed a perfect record at home this season.

Nicholls clinched a bye in the Southland Tournament with a 68-62 win over Northwestern State. Southeastern Louisiana won its 10th conference game with a 71-56 win at UIW.

Tonight the Pelicans begin a three game road trip in Toronto. New Orleans is 5th place in the West. The Raptors are 15-games under the 500 mark.

Spring football begins for the LSU Tigers today. They are thin at defensive tackle as Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson are preparing for the NFL draft. Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee are the only returning defensive tackles. JUCO transfer Shone Washington is expected to participate in spring football and the Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says an offensive linemen will switch sides to provide added depth…
cut 17 (16) “….Ahamad Breaux”
Breaux is an incoming freshman defensive lineman from Ruston High School.

At the boys state basketball playoffs…Avoyelles Charter defeated Rapides 58-46 in the Division Five select semifinals. The Vikings will be defending their title on Friday and they’ll play J-S Clark. who defeated Epsicopal School Acadiana 62-43.

In Division Five non-select, Anacoco defeated Gibsland Coleman 50 to 41. The Indians will play defending state champs on Friday in the title game. Zwolle defeated Negreet 61-51.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has a new process for employers to report unemployment recipients who are no-shows or decline a job offer. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The Louisiana Lottery says no one has stepped up to claim a 50-thousand dollar powerball prize that was won October 9th, 2023. The winning ticket was purchased at Piggly Wiggly on Highway 182 in Opelousas and is set to expire on April 6th.

Governor Jeff Landry is set to sign a bill to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry without a permit in Louisiana. A New Orleans lawmaker wants to provide more clarification to the law. Democrat Mandie Landry says legislation needs to be approved in the regular session that would clearly define where one can and cannot conceal carry…
Cut 10 (10) “…the language.”
Current law prohibits firearms in a bar or near a school, and then another law bans guns at parades, but Landy says vague language doesn’t define what “near” means.

In Saint John the Baptist Parish, 91-year-old Dixie Ramirez is serving her first term as a parish council woman. Ramirez was elected last year and it’s her time in public office…
cut 8 (09) “….to be doing’

4:45 LRN sportscast

The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team completed the regular season on Sunday with a 77-56 win over Kentucky. It was the Lady Tigers eighth straight win. Angel Reese had 22 points and 14 rebounds and she was honored at halftime for Senior Day. Reese says it’s been a long four years of college basketball
Cut 18 (18) “..for tonight”

LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon announced today that Jalen Cook is suspended from the team for failure to meet the standards of the program. Cook is averaging 16 points a game, but has not played since February 13th because of a hamstring injury. The Tigers are 8-8 in the SEC and at Arkansas Wednesday.

The Sun Belt men’s basketball tournament gets underway tomorrow in Pensacola, Florida. ULM will face Coastal Carolina and the winner of that game gets the Ragin Cajuns on Thursday. U-L Lafayette will have to win four games in order to win the Sun Belt tourney. They are the defending tournament champs. Coach Bob Marlin says previous success at the tourney should pay off this week…
cut 17 (15) “….can win”

The Cajuns softball team is relishing a monumental win on Sunday as they ended Oklahoma’s NCAA record 71-game winning streak with a 7-5 win in ten innings.

LSU right handed pitcher Luke Holman is the SEC pitcher of the week for striking out 12 hitters on Friday in a win over Texas. Louisiana Tech’s Cole McConnell is the Conference USA hitter of the week after collecting eight hits and driving in eight runs in four games last week.

LRN PM Newscall

Legislation to prevent the state from interfering with or refusing the right to contraception has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The U-L Lafayette softball team ended Oklahoma’s NCAA record 71-game winning streak on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (24)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A White Castle man is missing after driving his car in Bayou Lafourche following a single vehicle crash in Assumption Parish early Saturday morning . Trooper Ross Brennan says 64 year old Gilbert Bunch Junior traveled off the roadway after failing to stop for a stop sign at LA Highway 1 and Highway 398.

Cut 3 (07) “…partially submerged.”  

Brennan says a passenger was able to exit the vehicle and swam to the bank. Bunch is described as a 5-foot, 6-inches tall black male wearing dark colored clothes. He says multiple agencies have searched for Bunch in Bayou Lafourche.

Cut 4 (10) “…for him.” 

Brennan says Bunch was last seen near the vehicle before it became fully submerged. He says law enforcement currently have no leads on where Bunch is located and if you have seen anything to call Troop C.

Cut 5 (05) “…a contact.”

Anyone with information regarding the crash can contact Troop C at (985) 857-3680.

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Bills to codify the right to contraception in Louisiana have been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Public Policy Professional Mary Patricia Wray says House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 225 seek to secure the right to birth control for Louisianans.

Cut 6  (10) “…the United States.” 

The Right to Contraception Act is similar to legislation pending in ten other states, including Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned which gave states the right to determine the legality of abortion, Wray says there are concerns the right to prevent a pregnancy is also in peril even though it is protected by a US Supreme Court ruling. She says because Louisiana has a very high rate of domestic abuse and other sex-related crimes that can lead to pregnancy and disease…

Cut 7 (10) “…not wanted.”  

The bills also define what methods of birth control are included.

Cut 8 (13) “…prevents disease.” 

According to a recent Impact Research survey, the right to contraception is supported by eight out of ten voters in the country.

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18-year-old Jaylon Joiner, a student at Carencro High School, was fatally shot while getting off at a bus stop in Lafayette Parish on Friday. Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Valerie Ponseti (pon-set-tee) says Joiner was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the Carencro city limits.

Cut 9 (06) “…Bradford Drive.” 

Ponseti says 19-year-old Malikai Doucet was arrested and charged with second degree murder of Joiner. Authorities believes several suspects were involved in this incident.

Cut 10 (06) “…this investigation.”

Ponseti says the investigation is ongoing.

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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman fatally stabbed a twice convicted sex offender at a Lacombe are laundromat on Sunday afternoon. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says 40-year Nicholas Tranchat tried to attack the woman with a sharp weapon

Cut 11 (12) “…safety.”

Carboni says Tranchat was unresponsive when authorities arrived and later died from his injuries at a local hospital. She says the woman fled to a family member’s home and called police.

Cut 12 (11)  “…life-threatening.”  

The laundromat is located on US Highway 190 near Lacombe. Carboni praised the female victim’s actions.

Cut 13 (02) “…woman.”  

Tranchet was convicted in 2003 for Indecent Behavior with Juveniles and again in 2008 for Attempted Aggravated Rape and Aggravated Burglary. He was released on parole last December and supervised by the Covington Parole Office.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a woman fatally stabbed a twice convicted sex offender at a Lacombe are laundromat on Sunday afternoon. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says 40-year Nicholas Tranchat tried to attack the woman with a sharp weapon…
Cut 11 (12) “…safety.”
Tranchat died from his injuries at a local hospital.

The search continues for a White Castle man who drove his vehicle into Lafourche Bayou in Assumption Parish early Saturday morning. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says 64-year-old Gilbert Bunch Junior was last seen near the vehicle before it became fully submerged…
cut 5 (05) “…a contact”
Brennan says a passenger in Bunch’s vehicle survived the incident and swam to the bank.

Legislation to prevent the state from interfering with or refusing the right to contraception has been filed for the upcoming session.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Several repeat champions in girls high school basketball at the state tournament in Hammond. Rosepine, Parkway, Wossman, Lafayette Christian and Parkview Baptist were all repeat winners. Fairview won its 15th state title in school history with an entertaining win over Hicks on Friday night. Boys semifinal action gets underway today in Lake Charles.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team won the Astros Foundation Classic with a ten to five win over Texas State yesterday. The Tigers got excellent starting pitching from Luke Holman, Gage Jump and Thatcher Hurd. Hayden Travinski was five for ten at the plate with a home run and three doubles.

The Ragin Cajuns went 0-3 in Houston as U-L Lafayette ost Houston 13 to 10 in eleven innings.

Louisiana Tech remains undefeated after winning three games in Sugar Land Texas. The Bulldogs rallied back from a five to nothing deficit to beat Air Force eight to five yesterday.

Big win for Southeastern Louisiana yesterday as the Lions defeated 11th ranked East Carolina 11 to nine.

The U-L softball team ended Oklahoma’s NCAA record 71-game winning streak a the Cajuns defeated the Sooners seven to five in eight innings. LSU softball is now the only team in the country that’s still undefeated.

The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team won its eighth straight yesterday as they wrapped up the regular season with a 77-56 win over Kentucky. Angel Reese led the way with 22 points and 14 rebounds. It was her 20th double-double of the season. It was also senior day for Reese and Hailey Van Lith even though they have the option to come back next season. They were asked after the game about the possibility of returning next season…
cut 19 (18) “….this year”
LSU’s next game is Friday in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.

Several repeat state champions in girls high school basketball at the state tournament in Hammond. Rosepine, Parkway, Wossman, Lafayette Christian and Parkview Baptist were all repeat winners. Fairview won its 15th state title in school history with an entertaining win over Hicks on Friday night.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Bills to codify the right to contraception in Louisiana have been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Public Policy Professional Mary Patricia Wray says House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 225 seek to secure the right of birth control for Louisianans.
Cut 6 (11) “…the United States.”
The bills are similar to legislation pending in ten other states. The Louisiana bill will be heard in the three month long regular session that begins next week.

Another bill to be heard will make it illegal to use artificial intelligence to portray someone in a false light. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick…
cut 12 (09) “….not true”
Connick is concerned that candidates for offices will use A-I to spread a false narrative about their opponent.

Stronger penalties are coming for carjackers. It’s the result of legislation authored by Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel and approved in the recently completed crime special session. Schlegel says if a carjacking results in serious injury to the victim, the minimum sentence starts at 20 years…
Cut 21 (10) “…our state.”
Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bill this week.

The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise to stay home if you’re sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the CDC still encourages you to play it safe for five days…
Cut 14 (09) “…distancing.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the bills this week approved in the crime special session, including the legislation that will result in longer prison sentences for car jackers and fentanyl dealers….
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies are looking for the gunman in a drive by shooting that killed 65-year-old Annette Touvell of Lake Charles on Saturday night. Authorities say Touvell was in her home south of Lake Charles watching TV, when multiple rounds of gunfire were fired at the home. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they have no reason to believe this home or family was specifically targeted.

A White Castle man is missing after he drove a vehicle into a bayou in Assumption Parish early Saturday morning. Trooper Ross Brennan says 64 year old Gilbert Bunch Junior failed to stop for a stop sign at LA Highway 1 and Highway 398.
Cut 3 (07) “…partially submerged.”
Bunch was last seen wearing dark-colored clothing. A passenger in the vehicle survived the plunge into the bayou as he swam to the bank.

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh has filed legislation for the upcoming regular session to prohibit local governments from using speed or red light cameras to issue tickets. Seabaugh says these devices are being used as a money grab….
cut 5 (10) “…the wayside”
When individuals pay court costs for a ticket written by law enforcement it goes towards funding public defenders, the DA’s office, clerk of courts, crime lab, and various other entities.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry is expected to sign this week the bills approved in the recently completed special session on crime. House Bill 7 is among the pieces of legislation approved. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says it requires a minimum of a five-year sentence for a person convicted of carjacking. Right now the minimum penalty is two years…
cut 8 (08) “….tackle carjacking”
At least 15 of the bills approved during the tough on crime special session could increase state spending because it will result in longer prison sentences. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Matthew Willard…
cut 29 (11) “…cost”
But the governor’s spokesperson says the legislation will lower crime and less crime means greater economic opportunities for everyone.

Some lawmakers are concerned about the possible misuse of A.I. and have proposed a new law to address it. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says the public needs to be protected from potential misrepresentation the new technology makes possible…
Cut 10 (11) “…person’s consent.”
Connick’s bill will be heard in the three month long regular session that begins next week.

The CDC says you no longer need to isolate for five days if you have COVID. The new guidelines advise you to still stay home if sick, but you can return to work or school if you are feeling better and fever-free for 24 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says this mirrors other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV.
Cut 13 (09) “…as well.”