8:30 LRN Newscast

Former WAFB-TV Chief Meteorologist Jay Grymes has been named as the State Climatologist and he’ll report to Governor Jeff Landry and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Grymes says he’ll also continue to teach at LSU…
cut 10 (12) “…Louisiana”
Unfortunately we might hear from Grymes quite a bit over the next few months as he’s predicting a hyper hurricane season for the state.

If you plan on lighting your own fireworks tonight, the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, Tracey Normand, says don’t light fireworks if you’ve been drinking, make sure they are lit 200 feet away from homes and vehicles and never let kids light or handle fireworks…
cut 7 (11) “…the fire department”
According to the U-S Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were eight deaths and 97-hundred injuries involving fireworks nationwide in 2023.

The Essence Festival gets underway today in the Big Easy and Kelly Schulz with New Orleans & Company says the four-day event produces a 316 million dollar economic impact for the city and state…
Cut 12 (12) “…to COVID.”
The headline performers this weekend are Usher and Janet Jackson. Vice President Kamala Harris will moderate a conversation at ESSENCE on Saturday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted its 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on the LDWF website. Tommy Tuma says the pamphlet contains hunting rules, regulations, and season dates.
Cut 3 (11) “…to look at.”
Printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at L-D-W-F offices.

7:30 LRN Newscast

A 23-year-old man is facing murder charges after he allegedly fatally shot his grandparents. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office says they began investigating the shooting in the Mount Hermon area after Colby Stokes told a neighbor he shot his grandparents. The neighbor called 9-1-1 and Stokes was arrested without incident.

It’s the Fourth of July and the President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association has a few safety tips if you decide to have your own light show…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former WAFB-TV chief meteorologist Jay Grymes has been named as the State Climatologist and he’ll report directly to Governor Jeff Landry and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux says Grymes will help the state prepare for weather events…
cut 11 (11) “…what we’re facing”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted the 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on the L-D-W-F website. LDWF administrator Tommy Tuma says printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at LDWF offices and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Cut 5 (09) “…Labor Day weekend.”
This season’s pamphlet has the season schedule for the state’s ten deer hunting areas.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU has received a commitment from a left-handed hitting power bat. Dalton Beck belted 18 home runs for Incarnate Word last season and he was named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year. Beck also hit .377 with 67 runs driven in for the Cardinals.

There’s been a lot of talk about Texas A-and-M infielder Kaeden Kent transferring to LSU, but Kent says he’ll continue to wear an Aggies uniform. But Aggies backup catcher Max Kaufer is on the move as he’s announced his transfer to South Carolina. Blaise Preister a transfer from Meridian Community College is your likely starter behind the plate for the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech Associate Baseball Coach Mitch Gaspard has announced his retirement. He’s spent the last five seasons with the Bulldogs and he’s been a coach for over 30 years. Gaspard is a former head coach at Alabama and Northwestern State. Jake Wells will reportedly replace Gaspard as hitting coach. He was an assistant at Tech in 2015 and 2016 and he’s also been an assistant at Alabama, Mississippi State and U-L Lafayette.

Northwestern State head softball coach Lacy Prejean has resigned after just one season. The Demons were 19 and 31 this past season. The Carencro grad is a former assistant at U-L Lafayette, so it’s possible she’s heading back to Lafayette to be an assistant coach for the Cajuns.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted the 2024-25 hunting regulations pamphlet on the L-D-W-F website. LDWF administrator Tommy Tuma says printed copies of the pamphlets will be available in August at LDWF offices and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
Cut 5 (09) “…Labor Day weekend.”
This season’s pamphlet has the season schedule for the state’s ten deer hunting areas.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Hurricane Beryl has moved past Jamaica and has its eyes set on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Beryl is a Category Three storm, but weakening is expected today. Forecasters are calling for Beryl to enter the southern Gulf of Mexico on Saturday as a tropical storm and make a final landfall as a Category one hurricane early next week near the Texas-Mexico border.

Governor Jeff Landry has announced Jay Grymes as the first State Climatologist to serve under Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

It’s Fourth of July and that means a lot of people popping off their own fireworks tonight. President of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association Tracey Normand says be sure you are not violating any local ordinances. Normand says drinking and driving is not a good idea; drinking and lighting an explosive is a worse idea.
Cut 6 (10) “…our digits.”

It’s a big tourism weekend for New Orleans as Essence Festival gets underway today. The annual musical festival started in 1995 in New Orleans to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence Magazine. New Orleans and Company spokesperson Kelly Schulz says now Essence Fest is celebrating 30 years. Schulz says the July-August issue of Essence Magazine is a love letter to New Orleans…
cut 14 (12) “…well beyond”
Usher and Janet Jackson will perform at Essence Festival this weekend.

16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd has entered the transfer portal. Hunt Palmer with ESPN Baton Rouge explains it’s not a big loss for the Tigers as Hurd is expected to be a high draft pick later this month and sign with a Major League Baseball team…
cut 20 (10″ to the table”
MLB-dot-com ranks Hurd as the 114th best prospect.

LSU shortstop Ryan Kucherak has also entered the transfer portal. He was ranked as the second best high school shortstop in Arizona by Perfect Game, but barely saw the field last year.

There’s been a lot of talk about Texas A-and-M infielder Kaeden Kent transferring to LSU, but Kent announced today he’s returning to the Aggies.

Louisiana Tech announced today that associate head coach Mitch Gaspard is retiring after five years with the Bulldogs. Gaspard is also a former head coach at Alabama and Northwestern State.

Former LSU star Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star. This news comes after he was just named the WNBA Rookie of the Money for June. Reese leads the league in rebounds and she also averages 13 points a game. Reese got emotional about the honor following the Chicago Sky’s 85-77 win over the Atlanta Dream last night…
cut 19 (12) “….believed”
Reese was fifth in the WNBA All-Star fan voting with 381,518 votes. Caitlin Clark was number one with 700,735 votes.

Recreational red snapper season will be weekends-only after a brief close in the season from July 7 to 12. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Director of Marine Fisheries Chris Schieble (shee-ble) there have been similar pauses in the past couple of years and he urges anglers to remember this is nothing new or drastic.
Cut 15 (11) “…adjustments.”
The season runs until Labor Day.

LRN PM Newscall

Governor Jeff Landry announces an extension to Operation Lone Star which means engineers from the Louisiana National Guard will deploy to the Texas-Mexico border on July 15th. Sean Richardson has the story.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

______________________________________

A federal judge has ordered Angola to quickly correct what they called “glaring deficiencies of their heat-related policies” for inmates who work on the Farm Line.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Governor Jeff Landry announces the extension of Operation Lone Star which will involve the deployment of Louisiana National Guard engineers on July 15th to the southern border. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Collins says they will support Texas with border security.

Cut 3 (09) “…on the border.”

Operation Lone Star began in March when the state sent 50 Louisiana National Guard soldiers for 30 days at a time to the Texas border.

Collins says the engineers will assist in constructing barriers, roads, and other critical infrastructure to enhance border security.

Cut 4 (08) “…able to do.”

Collins says this move reflects the state’s commitment to collaborating with Texas in addressing border security issues and highlights the growing scope of Operation Lone Star.

Cut 5 (08)  “…respond to that.”

The Landy Administration says it will cost the state 800-thousand dollars to deploy the National Guard engineers to Texas and that’s how much money is left from the initial allocation for the operation.

_________________________________________________________

Fourth of July means BBQs and fireworks but its not always great time for pets. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Communication Manager Ginger Gutner has some advice for what you can do for your pets.

Cut 6 (09) “…good idea.”

Gutner says if you know your pet will be anxious because of fireworks contact your vet and discuss what you can do to help alleviate that…

Cut 7 (09) “…muffled..”

Another reminder is if you have a dog that isn’t afraid of fireworks they can think it’s a toy and could get injured from getting too close. Gutner says if they are outside keep them on a leash and…

Cut 8 (08)  “…they recommend.”

__________________________________________________________

Angola has been ordered to improve conditions for inmates who are required to work on the farm line. Federal Judge Brian Jackson told the prison to quickly correct what he called “glaring deficiencies of their heat-related policies.” Promise of Justice Initiative Legal Director Colin Reingold…

Cut 9 (10) “…the farm line.”

The ruling stopped short of granting a request to stop the farm line entirely, but Reingold says the state has been given a seven-day deadline to submit proposed remedies due to the inhumane conditions.

Cut 10 (12) “…extremely dangerous.”

The ruling comes after eight incarcerated men requested a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order to stop the farm line when the heat index reaches or exceeds 88 degrees. Reingold says a trial date is scheduled for late September.

Cut 11 (06) ” …to end.”

Reingold says as many as 50 inmates work on the farm line at one time and the farm line is separate from other agriculture work programs at the penitentiary.

The State Department of Corrections says the work conducted on the farm line is in accordance with constitutional and industrial standards and they plan to appeal the ruling to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

____________________________________________________________________

Hurricane Beryl remains a Category 4 as it barrels towards Jamaica and Central America. Newly appointed state climatologist Jay Grymes says Beryl is expected to turn towards the Gulf early next week, but tells Louisianans not to worry.

Cut 12 (11) “… (x2) Louisiana.” 

Beryl is expected to hit the Texas-Mexico border as a tropical storm on Monday, far southwest of Louisiana. With such an active hurricane season ahead of us, Grymes says it’s better to start preparing for a storm that does hit us instead of worrying about one that won’t.

cut  13 (12) “…season.” 

Though Louisiana shouldn’t be battered by a hurricane this time, Beryl is the earliest major hurricane ever to form and the only one in June, well ahead of peak hurricane season. Grymes says we’re not nearly out of the woods yet.

Cut  14 (12) “…named storm.” 

2:30 LRN Newscast

A federal judge is giving Angola seven days to adjust their policies so prisoners on the Farm Line can receive shade, rest, sunscreen and water when working in hot conditions. The ruling comes after eight incarcerated men requested a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order to stop the farm line when the heat index reaches or exceeds 88 degrees. Promise of Justice Imitative Legal Director Colin Reingold says a trial date is scheduled for late September.
Cut 11 (06) ” …to end.”
The Department of Corrections argued the working conditions for the prisoners on the farm met industry standards.

The eye of Hurricane Beryl is approaching Jamaica. Louisiana’s new state climatologist Jay Grymes says the major hurricane will get into the southern of Gulf of Mexico this weekend, but Louisiana residents do not have to worry…
cut 12 (11) “…for Louisiana”
A final landfall for Beryl is expected near the Texas-Mexico border.
Governor Jeff Landry announces an extension to Operation Lone Star which means engineers from the Louisiana National Guard will deploy to the Texas-Mexico border on July 15th.
Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

Starting tomorrow a permit or training will no longer be required to conceal carry a gun for non-felon adults. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez says State Police will continue to provide handgun training…
cut 27 (09) “…firearm

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd has entered the transfer portal. Hunt Palmer with ESPN Baton Rouge says it’s unlikely that Hurd would be on the team next season as he’s expected to be a high draft pick in the Major League Baseball draft in a couple of weeks.
cut 20 (10″ to the table”
MLB-dot-com ranks Hurd as the 114th best prospect.

Backup Shortstop Ryan Kucherak also entered the transfer portal. He was one of the top shortstops in Arizona coming out of high school, but barely played his freshman season at LSU.

Former LSU star Angel Reese is a WNBA All-Star as a rookie. Reese got emotional as she talked about the achievement…
cut 19 (12) “…believed”
Reese is averaging 13 points a game and close to 12 rebounds a contest. She leads the WNBA in rebounds per game. Reese also has 11 straight double-doubles and she’s one away from tying Candace Parker’s record for consecutive double-doubles.

The Recreational red snapper season will be weekends-only through Labor Day weekend after a brief close to the season from July 7th to the 12th. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Director of Marine Fisheries Chris Schieble (shee-ble) says these changes are an attempt to slow an above-average catching season.
Cut 13 (08) “…Labor Day weekend.”
55% of allocated red snapper have been caught since the season opened on April 15th.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana will become the 29th state tomorrow to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit and without training. There are concerns this law will result in more gun violence, but New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez believes his legislation will reduce the number of shootings…
cut 12 (07) “…their actions”
Miguez says Louisiana State Police is still offering handgun training.

AAA predicts that nearly 71 million Americans will travel during the Fourth of July holiday marking the highest travel volume for this period on record. This figure includes road trips, air travel, and other forms of transportation. Road trips are expected to be especially popular. AAA spokesperson Nick Chabberia…
cut 4 (07) “…July 7th.”
Chabberia says an estimated 5.7 million people will fly this Fourth of July holiday that’s a seven-percent increase over last year.

LSU climatologist Barry Keim says the dome of high pressure that’s helping to bake Louisiana is also keeping Hurricane Beryl from making a turn towards the northern Gulf Coast. Jamacia is taking a big hit from the Cat 4 storm today and Friday Beryl is expected to make landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Keim says most of the model runs have Beryl making a final landfall near the Texas-Mexico border…
Cut 29 (06) “..forecast.”

University Medical Center New Orleans has launched a new program called the Healthy Brain Aging Initiative. Chair of the Tulane Neurology Department Demetrius Maraganore says for a person suffering from cognitive decline, the Healthy Brain Aging Initiative is the place to get treatment…
cut 9 (10) “….dementia”
You can find more information at lcmchealth-dot-org.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Beginning tomorrow non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun without a permit in Louisiana. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez who authored the legislation says it’s a historic moment in Louisiana.
Cut 10 (08) “…violent criminals.”
Miguez says the same rules apply when influenced by alcohol, it’s against the law to possess a gun while intoxicated.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced the recreational Red Snapper season will close July 7th and reopen on July 12th and then it will be weekends-only through the Labor Day weekend. LDWF Director of Marine Fisheries Chris Schieble says they want to make sure there’s enough red snapper in state waters through Labor Day…
cut 14 (08) “…like this”
55% of allocated red snapper have been caught since the season opened April 15th.

The University Medical Center New Orleans has launched its Healthy Brain Aging Initiative. Dr. Demetrius Maraganore (mare-a-gan-or-ee) with the Tulane Department of Neurology says the initiative will help reduce the number of people living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., which is predicted to triple by 2050.
Cut 7 (12) “…specifically.”
Maragnore says the Healthy Brain Aging Initiative will provide care for a person who is at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s and related dementias and also provide care for a person with symptoms of memory decline and also Parkinson’s patients. Go to l-c-m-c health-dot-org for more information.

AAA expects nearly 71-million people will travel over the Fourth of July weekend, a five percent increase over last year and an eight-percent increase from 2019. AAA spokesperson Nick Chabberia expects 60-million will drive to their destination and five-point-seven million people will fly, despite higher airfares…
cut 6 (06) “…over year”
The average price for a domestic roundtrip ticket is $800.