10:30 LRN Newscast

PETA sent a strongly worded letter to Governor Landry following his request that LSU bring back its live mascot, Mike The Tiger, to Death Valley. LSU officially ended that long-standing tradition in 2017, and Klayton Rutherford with the PETA Foundation says that was the right move.

Cut 10 (10) “…frankly absurd plan.”

There has been no comment from the governor’s office.

 

The Jennings Police Department says a traffic stop led to two narcotics arrests and the confiscation of 55-thousand lethal doses of Fentanyl. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes says Michael Lynn Prudhomme and Robert Moore were the two men apprehended and Moore faces numerous charges including five counts of possession of a schedule two drug with the intention to sell…

Cut 15 (11) “….in his pants”

 

Baton Rouge retiree got a very pleasant surprise from a state official. Andrew Greenstein has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

A flash flood watch remains in effect for parishes along and south of the I-10 and I-12 corridor. A low-pressure area in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico is providing the energy to produce the showers and thunderstorms and breezy conditions.  Southeast Louisiana is expected to see higher rain totals. The Houma area could see as much as eight inches of rain.

8:30 LRN Newscast

PETA has written a letter to Governor Landry urging him to abandon the idea of having LSU’s live mascot tiger return to Tiger Stadium as part of the pregame pageantry before a football game. Klayton Rutherford with the PETA foundation and says tigers are normally solitary animals…

Cut 11 (09) “…absurd plan”

Veterinarians have said Mike the Seven is at an age, where you can’t change his routine, so getting him in a portable cage is not feasible.

State Treasurer John Fleming presented a retired man in Baton Rouge with a check of 13-thousand dollars. The money came from the state’s Unclaimed Property Program. Fleming says his office will go to great lengths to track down the rightful owner…

Cut 8 (09) “…of their heir”

Fleming says the unclaimed property program has more than 900-million dollars in unclaimed property.

The Advocate is reporting another high-level official with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has left. DEQ’s budget chief Christian Griffiths is now with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Another top ranking official, Chandra Pidgeon, who left after only two weeks on the job, accused DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto of harassing employees. Governor Landry has said the criticisms of Giacometto are from entrenched bureaucrats who resist change.

Bill Franques will fill-in for Tiger Stadium’s long-time public address announcer Dan Borne who is taking a temporary leave of absence for health reasons

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

The eleven-year-old accused of killing former Minden Mayor and city councilman Joe Cornelius and his daughter, Keisha Miles, has pleaded not guilty to two-first degree murder charges. The suspect is being held at the Ware Youth Center in Coushattta and prosecutors are still trying to determine whether this case should be handled in adult or juvenile court.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a strongly worded letter to Governor Landry following his request that LSU bring back its live mascot, Mike The Tiger, to Death Valley. LSU officially ended that long-standing tradition in 2017, and Klayton Rutherford with the PETA Foundation says that was the right move.

Cut 10 (10) “…frankly absurd plan.”

There has been no comment from the governor’s office.

A Baton Rouge retiree got a very pleasant surprise from a state official. Andrew Greenstein has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU running back John Emery is out for the season after suffering an ACL tear in practice. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander broke the story and says the sixth year senior was in position to have a great season…

Cut 27 (09) “…happen”

Emery’s injury means more carries for Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson and now freshman Caden Williams.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU’s leading rusher in last Sunday’s loss to USC, John Emery, is out for the season after tearing his A-C-L in practice during a non-contact drill. Emery, who spent the offseason rehabbing a torn ACL in his right knee suffered last November, was one of four scholarship running backs on the roster. The others are Josh Williams, Kaleb Jackson and freshman Caden Durham. Wilson Alexander covers the LSU Tigers for the Advocate and says Durham will likely make his LSU debut on Saturday night against Nicholls…

Cut  30 (10) “..Caden Durham.”

In his first start since being AL Rookie Pitcher of the Month, former Ragin Cajuns star Spencer Arrighetti got lit up last night as he allowed nine runs in two-thirds of an inning as the Astros lost to the Reds 12-5.

The Saints are preparing for Sunday’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Carolina is a divisional opponent, there is a bit of an unknown about the Panthers since they have a new head coach in Dave Canales. Canales was previously the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. Coach Dennis Allen says in-game adjustments will be a key on Sunday…

Cut 20 (17) “…when we need to.”

Kick off on Sunday is at noon.

ULM won its season opener over Jackson State, but the oddsmakers do not have the Warhawks winning a second straight game this Saturday at home against UAB. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent says they’ve accepted the underdog role…

Cut 18 (20)  “…Saturday night.”

6:30 LRN Newscast

The People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals has written a strongly worded letter to Governor Jeff Landry after it was reported Landry inquired about having LSU’s live-mascot Tiger return to the field again before football games. Klayton Rutherford of PETA says stadiums are no place for tigers, or any exotic animals for that matter…

Cut 12 (08) “….shun human contact”

LSU’s Vet School has already said there are no plans for Mike the Seven to be at football games.

LSU’s home opener is Saturday night and Dan Borne, who is the Voice of Tiger Stadium, will not handle public address announcing duties due to health reasons. The school says Borne is temporarily stepping away and Bill Franques, the voice of Alex Box Stadiums will fill in for Borne…

Cut 4 (06) “…tremendous legacy”

Franques has handled P-A duties at Alex Box Stadium for over 30 years.

A traffic stop in Jefferson Davis Parish leads to a huge drug bust. As Jennings Police pulled over a vehicle, a passenger threw narcotics at the driver’s head and left the vehicle. He was arrested and booked into jail. Police Chief Danny Semmes (“Sims”) says the investigation then led officers to a convenience store with a poker room inside, and officers eventually found Robert Moore there.

Cut 13 (09)  “…found on him.”

The officer is okay, and this drug bust resulted in 55-thousand lethal doses of Fentanyl taken off the streets. Michael Prudhomme and Robert Moore face drug charges.

A retiree from Baton Rouge got quite the pleasant surprise yesterday – a check for more than 13-thousand dollars that was sitting in unclaimed property. State Treasurer John Fleming presented a check for $13,439.91 to Lawrence Larson following a meeting of the St. George Rotary Club.

Cut 7 (06) “…this often happens.”

Fleming says the Unclaimed Property Program has more than 900-million dollars in unclaimed property.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Multiple media outlets are reporting LSU running back John Emery will likely miss the rest of the season after tearing his A-C-L in his knee. Emery rushed for a team high 61 yards in LSU’s loss to USC on Sunday and the injury was reportedly sustained at practice on Tuesday. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander broke the story and says Emery was poised to have a big season…

Cut 13 (09) “…burst”

Emery’s injury leaves LSU with just three scholarship running backs on the roster.

LSU Coach Brian Kelly has received heat for saying USC quarterback Miller Moss outplayed LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier. On Tuesday Kelly clarified those comments by saying Nussmeier played well, but Moss made more plays at the end…

Cut 19 (14) “…”308 yards

Just four days to go before the Saints open their season against the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome. Saints star running back Alvin Kamara says Week 1 will set the tone for the season.

Cut  16 (08)   “…work to do?

The first injury report of the regular season came out today and it showed cornerback Marshawn Lattimore and linebacker Willie Gay as limited participants at today’s practice.

ULM is getting ready to Host UAB on Saturday night…The Warhawks are not expected to improve 2-and-0. Coach Bryant Vincent…

Cut 18 (20) “…Saturday night”

Kick off is at 6 PM at Malone Stadium.

4:30 LRN Newscast

First, he urged LSU to have its football players on the field during the playing of the national anthem. Now, Governor Landry is interested in having an old tradition return. Andrew Greenstein reports.

 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

A University of Lafayette bus hit two students this morning. University officials say the two students received minor to moderate injuries. The incident happened at the intersection of Girard Park Circle and East St. Mary Boulevard at around 9:30 this morning.

 

 

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through Friday night for parishes along the I-10-12 corridor to the coast. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim….

Cut 7 (11) “….south Louisiana”

Monroe and Alexandria are also seeing showers and thunderstorms. A cold front comes later this week, which will give us a nice weekend.

 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has released an updated version of its “Get A Game Plan” app to improve disaster preparedness for Louisiana residents. Officials say this app will help individuals and families prepare for emergencies such as hurricanes….

Cut 3 (11) “…staying safe.” 

GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says you can download the app from the App store and Google Play Store.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU wanted to run the ball on Sunday to control the game against USC, but outside of a 39-yard run by John Emery, the Tigers struggled to establish a ground game. Josh Williams rushed for just 33 yards and Kaleb Jackson had 14 yards on five carries. Coach Brian Kelly says they’ll keep rotating their running backs…

Cut 18 (22)  “…one of these backs.”

Kelly was asked specifically about Kaleb Jackson’s playing weight fo 235 pounds. The coach says they were concerned about it in the spring, but during preseason camp he maintained his conditioning and his speed.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is entering his eighth season in the NFL and has two years left on his contract with New Orleans. Kamara was seeking a contract extension, but now that the season is starting, he’s focusing on the games not his contract…

Cut 17 (09) “…after the season”

Kamara and the Saints host Carolina this Sunday.

The first high school football polls are out…Ruston, Opelousas, University High, Calvary Baptist and Southern Lab are ranked number one in their respective classes.

Former Ragin Cajuns ace Spencer Arrighetti has been named the American League Rookie Pitcher of the Month. Arrighetti has been outstanding for the Astros.

Paul Skenes picked up his ninth win of the season last night as the Pirates blanked the Cubs five to nothing. Skenes recorded six strikeouts in five innings to give him 142 on the season, which ties a franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie since 1900.

Updated LRN AM Newscall September 4

South Louisiana homeowners can register for a grant of up to 10-thousand dollars to help pay for a fortified roof.  Sean Richardson reports registration will run from September 18th to the 20th and then 300 homeowners will be chosen.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_______________________________________________

A Grayson man is facing charges of animal cruelty after allegedly choking a fawn in Caldwell Parish. Colleen Crain has the story

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain” 

____________________________________________

An update on a horrific scene in Minden in which a former mayor and his daughter were shot dead, allegedly by a young relative. We get more from Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

South Louisiana homeowners interested in up to a 10-thousand dollar grant that can be used towards a new fortified roof, can register with the Department of Insurance from September 18 to September 20.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says once the lottery registration period closes, they will randomly select 300 participants from the pool of eligible registrants.

Cut 4 (12) “…FORTIFIED roof.”

These upgrades aim to reduce damage during storms, lower insurance premiums, and increase the strength of communities across Louisiana.

Cut 5 (12) “…South Louisiana.”

Participants in the grant program will be financially responsible for having the home evaluated by a FORTIFIED-certified Evaluator as well as the cost for the roof upgrade including permits, inspection, and construction costs beyond the amount of the grant, which is up to ten-thousand-dollars Temple says…

Cut 6 (06) …difference there.”

Given the limited registration period and potential benefits, interested homeowners are encouraged to apply quickly.  Temple says changing to a lottery system creates a fairer experience for everyone interested in applying.

__________________________________________________

An 18-year-old Grayson man is arrested for allegedly strangling a spotted fawn in Caldwell Parish. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the investigation began in July as investigators were looking into an unrelated incident when they discovered the video of Taryn Varnell taking the deer and choking it to death. Senior Agent Michael Thacker…

Cut 7 (04) “…for sure.”

Varnell is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony with fines of up to $25,000 and up to ten years in prison.

Thacker says the video was graphic.

Cut 8 (05) “…aggressive manner.”

Investigators identified Varnell as the suspect; and on August 21, they found him at his home. Thacker says Varnell confessed.

Cut 9 (05)  “…into jail.”

In addition to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals Varnell also faces charges of taking a spotted fawn. Thacker says there is no legal season for a spotted fawn. The punishment for that crime is 15-30 days in jail and a fine of between $500 and $750.

_____________________________________________________

LSU Health New Orleans announces the launch of the Louisiana 3.0+ Scholars Pledge, a program of the School of Public Health designed to recognize and retain the brightest minds in Louisiana. School of Public Health Associate Dean Kari Brisolara says any student who is a Louisiana resident or earned their undergraduate degree from a Louisiana university with a G-P-A of 3.0 or higher will automatically be accepted into LSU School of Public Health’s Master program.

Cut 10 (11) “…here in Louisiana.”

Brisolara says they want to do everything possible to keep students here and to nurture and retain talent in the state…

Cut 11 (08) “…gonna qualify.”

Brisolara emphasized the impressive track record of student employment immediately after graduation from the MPH program.

Cut 12 (11) “…the demand is there.”

Louisiana 3.0+ Scholars Pledge, students will benefit from a streamlined admissions process and immediate entry into a rigorous and supportive academic environment dedicated to advancing public health.

_____________________________________________________

The investigation continues into the deadly shooting of a former mayor of Minden and his daughter by a young family member. 82-year-old Joe Cornelius and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles, were shot to death inside their home Sunday morning. Police Chief Jared McIver says investigators quickly zeroed in on one of two juveniles who were home at the time.

Cut 13 (14) “…11 years of age.” 

Chief McIver says due to juvenile justice laws, they are only saying that the 11-year-old boy is a family member without getting more specific. As for a motive, that is still unknown.

Cut  14 (06) “…know that yet.”

McIver says it will take a long time to determine what led the boy to shoot the two victims dead.

Cut 15 (10) “…piece by piece.”

The boy is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. His bond is set at a total of 500-thousand dollars.

____________________________________________________

Just four days to go before the Saints open their season against the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome. Saints star running back Alvin Kamara says Week 1 will set the tone for the season.

Cut  16 (08)   “…work to do?

This season could be Kamara’s last in a Saints uniform. Contract extension talks between the running back and the ballclub have stalled. Kamara says now that the season is here, his only focus is on the field.

Cut 17 (09) “…after the season.”

Kamara has listed his Belle Chasse home for 2.75-million dollars. But that does not necessarily mean Kamara is on his way out — he has other properties in the city.

________________________________________________________

LSU wanted to run the ball on Sunday to control the game against USC, but outside of a 39-yard run by John Emery, the Tigers struggled to establish a ground game. Josh Williams rushed for just 33 yards and Kaleb Jackson had 14 yards on five carries. Coach Brian Kelly says they’ll keep rotating their running backs…

Cut 18 (22)  “…one of these backs.”

Kelly has received heat for saying USC quarterback Miller Moss outplayed LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier. Kelly says Nussmeier played well, but Moss made more plays at the end…

Cut 19 (14) “…”308 yards

Kelly admitted in the postgame he was mad at his team for making mistakes at critcal times. There were two 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties against his team. Safety Major Burns took his helmet off on the field after a fourth down stop and Kyren Lacy made a shooting motion towards the Trojans following a touchdown pass. Kelly says Lacy knows better

Cut 20 (23) “…I don’t care.”

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

In LSU’s loss to USC on Sunday night, the Fighting Tigers allowed the Trojans to average seven and a half yards a play. But Coach Brian Kelly says his defense did a nice job in getting off the field on third down as USC was just three of nine on third downs. Kelly also liked the play of his defensive line…

Cut 16 (20) “…safety position”

LSU will host Nicholls on Saturday night.

ULM linebacker Wydett Willliams has been named the Sun Belt defensive player of the week. The junior had a game-high ten tackles in the win over Jackson State.

Nicholls linebacker Eli Ennis has been named the Southland Defensive Player of the Week. Ennis had an interception and fumble recovery in a loss to La Tech.

Just five days to go before the Saints open their season against the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome. Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen says forget about last season, this will be a new Carolina Panthers team his squad will be facing.

Cut 19 (19) “…ready to play”

Dave Canales is the Panthers new coach and his success will depend on the development of second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Kick-off in the Dome is at noon.

 

Former Ragin Cajuns ace Spencer Arrighetti has been named the American League Rookie Pitcher of the Month. Arrighetti had 1.95 ERA for the Astros during August as Houston has taken firm control of first place in the American League West.

 

The first high school football polls are out…Ruston, Opelousas, University High, Calvary Baptist and Southern Lab are ranked number one in their respective classes.