3:30 LRN Newscast

Fox 8 Television in New Orleans is reporting that an Orleans Parish grand jury has indicted Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. It’s unknown what criminal charges Murrill will face. It’s been reported a grand jury was looking into whether Murrill violated state law by threatening to possibly remove New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans DA Jason Williams from office if they kept interfering with a state law that eliminated the city’s criminal clerk of court position and consolidated the office with the civil clerk. Eventually Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state and the two offices were combined.

We are looking at a big Fourth of July weekend across the state as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday. Mary Beth Romig of New Orleans and Company says the city has a big fireworks spectacular planned…

Cut 13 (07) “…Riverfront”

Cities across the state will be holding big celebrations.

 

Your Fourth of July cookout may be slightly more expensive than last year, according to a survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The study found the average cookout basket with summer staples like cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, strawberries, potato salad and more to feed 10 people costs around 74-dollars, a four-percent increase from last year. Federation Economist Faith Parum….

Cut 6 (11) “…that inflation.”

Louisiana has a new King of Seafood, Lafayette chef Kris Allen. The Executive Chef at Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant won the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off earlier this week. Allen says Louisiana seafood is the best to cook with.

Cut 4 (09) “…second to none.”

LRN PM Newscall July 2

The American Farm Bureau Federation found the average ten-person Independence Day Cookout will cost almost 74-dollars this year. Kace Kieschnick reports…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to make an extra effort to keep your kids safe in the water. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Lafayette chef Kris Allen was named the new King of Louisiana Seafood at this year’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off earlier this week. To win the crown, Allen used modern techniques to highlight a classic crab-stuffed flounder. Allen says seafood has always been part of his life.

Cut 3 (12) “…what I do.”

Allen is the executive chef at Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette. His career began at New Orleans restaurant Stella!, and he says Louisiana seafood is the best to cook with.

Cut 4 (09) “…second to none.”

Allen will go on to represent the State in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans July 25. A Louisiana chef has not won the competition since 2019. Allen says he can’t wait to promote Louisiana seafood on the national stage.

Cut 5 (09) “…Louisiana seafood.”

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Your Fourth of July cookout may be slightly more expensive than last year, according to a survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The study found the average cookout basket with summer staples like cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, strawberries, potato salad and dessert to feed 10 people costs around 73-dollars-and-82-cents, a four-percent increase from last year. Federation Economist Faith Parum says that’s a pretty standard rise.

Cut 6 (11) “…that inflation.”

The cost actually decreased from last year’s survey when adjusted for inflation. Parum says the most expensive items in the basket are the meats. Two pounds of beef will run you around 14-dollars.

Cut 7 (11) “..beef high.”

Strawberry prices rose over 12-percent from last year, thanks to a Florida freeze. She says refrigeration costs are driving up all fresh produce prices, but the biggest percentage increase was in canned goods.

Cut 8 (08) “…comes in.”

The only two items to fall in price were potato chips and potato salad ingredients. Egg prices have nearly halved as flocks recover from avian influenza.

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Many families will be spending time at the pool this Fourth of July weekend. The Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to make an extra effort in keeping everyone safe. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says you can never take too many precautions with kids.

Cut 9 (09)  “…kids every minute.”

Greenstein says swimming pools need to be supervised at all times.

Cut 10 (07) “…pool every minute.” 

And whoever is in charge needs to give the people in the pool his or her undivided attention – that means no scrolling through Facebook on the cell phone.

Greenstein says swim lessons are also very beneficial – and not just for children.

Cut 11 (06) “…go to work.”

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New Orleans is gearing up for a big Fourth of July weekend. The Essence Festival of Culture begins tomorrow, and Mary Beth Romig with New Orleans and Company says it will kick off in a most historic way.

Cut 12 (09) “…of the festival.” 

And of course, Saturday is the Fourth of July, and Romig says a city that knows how to throw a party has something spectacular planned to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.

Cut 13 (07) “…from the riverfront.”

The Essence Festival and the Fourth of July fireworks show are not the only things going on in New Orleans this weekend. The city is also hosting the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice. Romig says those two conferences are helping to contribute to a projected hotel occupancy of more than 80-percent tomorrow and Saturday night.

Cut 14 (06) “…the French Quarter.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, a Fourth of July cookout that will feed 10 people will cost about 74-dollars, a four-percent increase from last year. Economist Faith Parum says fresh produce prices are up and so are canned goods…

Cut 8 (08) “…comes in”

Parum says two pounds of beef will also run you around 14-dollars.

It’s a big tourism weekend for New Orleans as the city is hosting the Essence Fest. Mary Beth Romig with New Orleans and Company says the city is also hosting the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice. Romig says those two conferences are helping to contribute to a projected hotel occupancy of more than 80-percent tomorrow and Saturday night.

Cut 14 (06) “…the French Quarter.”

Saturday night there will be a fireworks show along the Downtown Riverfront.

 

Lafayette chef Kris Allen is this year’s winner of the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off. He impressed the judges last weekend with his crab-stuffed flounder which the public can try at his restaurant in Lafayette, Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Allen will now spend the next year promoting Louisiana seafood on the national stage…

Cut 5 (09) “….Louisiana seafood”

He will also compete in the Great American Seafood Cook-off in New Orleans on July 25th.

The Louisiana Department of Health is reminding families about the importance of water safety during this holiday weekend. According to the latest statistics, 55 children drowned in Louisiana between 2022 and 2024. LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein urges families to enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age and adults who do not know how to swim, should also take lessons if they are going to be around water…

Cut 11 (06) “…go to work”

11:30 LRN Newscast

If it seems like summers here in Louisiana are getting hotter and hotter – well, you’re right. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 28 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Scattered thunderstorms have developed in southeast Louisiana today and they are moving towards central Louisiana. Fourth of July will be hot and rain chances are low. Rain chances are higher on Sunday.

 

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is putting the heat on people who try to scheme the system and add to their own personal wealth through the Medicaid program. Liz Murrill announced on Wednesday the arrest of 21 individuals for Medicaid fraud….

Cut 12 (13) “….residential care facilities”

Murrill says the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been elevated to a standalone division within the Louisiana Department of Justice.

Triple-A is projecting more than 72-million Americans will travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend. Sixty-one million people are driving to their destinations. AAA spokesperson Don Redman urges drivers to take frequent breaks if you are on a long road trip…

Cut 27 (11) “…you are impaired”

9:30 LRN Newscast

A nonprofit research group called the Climate Center has released a new report that shows Louisiana’s summers are getter hotter and more humid. According to the Climate Center, the average summer temperature has risen three to four degrees for New Orleans, Shreveport, Bienville, Sabine and Terrebonne Parishes. The chief meteorologist for the Climate Center, Shel Winkley says coal, oil and methane gas production is contributing to the hotter summers…

Cut 6 (07) “…heat in form”

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is putting the heat on people who try to scheme the system and add to their own personal wealth through the Medicaid program. Liz Murrill announced on Wednesday the arrest of 21 more people for Medicaid fraud….

Cut 12 (13) “….residential care facilities”

Murrill says the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has been elevated to a standalone division within the Louisiana Department of Justice.

State Representative Gabe Firment from Grant Parish has announced he’s running for Louisiana Fifth Congressional District seat. Two other candidates have already announced, state rep Michael Echols and Board of Regents Chairperson Misti Cordell and state senator Stewart Cathey could also join the race. It will be an open primary election on November third, not a closed party primary, and Firment likes that…

Cut 15 (12) “…really well there”

Qualifying for the election will be the first week of August.

Lafayette chef Kris Allen was named the new King of Louisiana Seafood at this year’s Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off earlier this week. To win the crown, Allen used modern techniques to highlight a classic crab-stuffed flounder. Allen says seafood has always been part of his life.

Cut 3 (12) “…what I do.”

Allen is the executive chef at Pamplona Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Lafayette and will compete in the Great American Seafood Cookoff on July 25th.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The United States men’s soccer team won its first knock out World Cup match since 2002 as the U-S blanked Bosnia two-nil. Folarin Balogun scored the first goal of the night, but he also received a red card for committing what the referee determined to be a serious foul play on a Bosnian defender. Balogun will not be available when the U-S plays Belgium on Monday night.

After a red-hot June for LSU recruiting, Lane Kiffin’s staff will look to keep the momentum going. Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to announce his commitment between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday, but he pushed it back at the last minute. Geaux247’s Andre Champagne (Shom-pine) says he can do it all in the secondary.

Cut 16 (11) “…pretty much anywhere.”

Anding is the brother of current Tigers corner Aiden Anding.

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Former LSU pitchers Kade Andersson and Anthony Eyanson were selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game later this month in Philadelphia. In Double-A, Anderson is 8-and-0 with 99 strikeouts and a 1.22 ERA. Eyanson has struck out 64 batters and posted a 1.07 ERA in 12 starts.

LSU baseball has signed another pitcher out of the transfer portal as right-hander Kaden Smith announced on Instagram he’s heading to LSU. At South Florida last season, Smith had an ERA of 4.24 and struck out 52 hitters, but also walked 25 hitters and hit 17 batters in 46 2/3 innings.

Louisiana Tech signed South Carolina transfer Jack Reynolds. The redshirt senior infielder appeared in just 17 games for the Gamecocks last season.

UL Lafayette catcher Colt Brown was named a first-team Freshman All-American by D1Baseball. He hit .324 with eight homers and 53 RBIs.

17:30 LRN Newscast

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury is reportedly investigating whether Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill made illegal threats to New Orleans officials. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’”

Earlier this year, Murrill sent letters to Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, threatening to remove them from their offices over their opposition to a new state law that merged clerk of criminal and civil courts.

Murrill spoke with reporters today, because she also announced that 21 people have been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on Medicaid fraud. Murrill said some of those charged are accused of stealing huge amounts of money.

Cut 10 (11) “…from the program (2x).”

Murrill says the Louisiana Fraud Control unit made the arrests. That unit has been elevated to a standalone division.

 

Pollock Representative Gabe Firment announced his campaign for Congress today. Firment joins Monroe Representative Michael Echols and State Board of Regents chair Misti Cordell in the race for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Firment says he was born and raised in the district and knows its communities.

Cut 13 (11)  “…get to Congress.”

Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race.

Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and the season lasts until November.

16:30 LRN Newscast

An Orleans Parish Grand Jury is reportedly hearing evidence over whether Attorney General Liz Murrill violated state law by threatening to remove New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, District Attorney Jason Williams and five New Orleans Council members from office if they didn’t follow a new state law that combined the civil and criminal clerks of court in Orleans Parish. Murrill says she’s heard nothing about a grand jury and doesn’t believe she did anything wrong…

Cut 14 (02) “…I sent”

When the letters were sent on May 13th, Moreno said in a social media post that it is against the law to intimidate or threaten public officials in an effort to try to influence their decision or change their position.

For the first time in the state’s modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says Democrats were once the dominant party in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (08) “…to fall”

 

Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador has passed away at the age of 74 after a bout with brain cancer. Cador, who was also an outstanding baseball player for the Jaguars, was the head coach of the Baton Rouge school for 33 years, winning 14 SWAC titles and two HBCU national titles. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says Coach Cador won a lot of games and changed a lot lives….

Cut 3 (09) “…young men.”

Cador won 913 games from 1984 to 2017.

Louisiana Tech officially joined the Sun Belt Conference today, a move that will reduce travel costs and renews historical rivalries. Athletics Director Ryan Ivey says they are already seeing the impacts…

Cut 19 (12) “…of the schedule”

LRN PM Newscall

Former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador passed away yesterday at the age of 74. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The Secretary of State’s voter registration report for July shows that for the first time in Louisiana’s modern history there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador passed away of brain cancer at the age of 74 yesterday. Cador led the Jaguars baseball team for 33 years after taking over in 1984. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says he was an ambassador for the school and the first line of defense between kids and the real world.

Cut 3 (09) “…young men.”

Cador led the Jags to two HBCU national championships and 14 SWAC championships and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022. Clayton says Cador brought global attention to Southern, and he asked him one day how he could bring top recruits like Golden Spikes Award-winner Rickie Weeks to Baton Rouge.

Cut 4 (11) “…still is.”

The New Roads native was also a Jaguars student-athlete and played Triple-A baseball with the Braves organization. He earned 13 SWAC Coach of the Year honors and coached 10 All-Americans and 62 MLB Draft Picks. Clayton says the Southern community is mourning an icon and will open the Mini-Dome Monday to honor him.

Cut 5 (11) “…our children.”

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Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.

Cut 6 (12) “…that we have.”

The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and the season lasts until November. Bosworth says fishing typically becomes less popular as we get into winter, so the red snapper population can support some extra harvesting now.

Cut 7 (12) “..bag numbers.”

The declaration of emergency will last through this Sunday before reverting back to the normal four-fish limit. Bosworth says he hopes fishing is on the agenda for your Independence Day weekend.

Cut 8 (12) “…out there.”

Those who’d like to fish offshore will need a recreational offshore landing permit, which you can get for free on the LDWF website.

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For the first time in the state’s modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. That’s based on a report the Secretary of State’s office puts out at the beginning of every month. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says Democrats were once the dominant party in Louisiana, but over time, they’ve been steadily losing party registrants…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to fall.”

Each party has just over one-million registered voters, with registered Republican voters outnumbering registered Democratic voters by 23-hundred.

Couvillon says the number of registered No Party voters is up to 820-thousand and growing

Cut 10 (08) “…Independents.” 

Couvillon says the decline in registered Democratic voters will make it hard for a Democrat to win a statewide office, unless they defy the odds like former two-term Governor John Bel Edwards…

Cut 11 (11) “…conservative voters.”

Couvillon says at the start of the Biden Administration, there were 225-thousand more registered Democratic voters in the state. That number was down to 55-thousand four years later when President Trump was sworn into office for his second term.

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Attorney General Liz Murrill’s threats to New Orleans officials is now the subject of an investigation by an Orleans Parish grand jury. During a news conference this morning, Murrill said she knew nothing beyond what had been reported by the media.

Cut 12 (09) “…I said, ‘No.’” 

Earlier this year, Murrill sent letters to Mayor Helena Moreno, five city council members and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, threatening to remove them from their offices over a special election for a newly-merged clerk of criminal and civil courts. Murrill said she stands by the letters she wrote.

Cut 13 (12) “…think is appropriate.”

The city called the special election, which was struck down by the State Supreme Court, after the legislature eliminated the office of Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court and merged that role with that of the clerk of civil court, dictating that the civil court clerk fill the newly-merged role. Murrill pointed out that her job is not to make the law, but rather to defend the law.

Cut 14 (08) “…the clerk’s office.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

A report on registered voters in the state shows that for the first time in modern history, there are more registered Republican voters than Democratic voters. Registered Republican voters out number Democratic voters by 23-hundred and John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says it is becoming harder for a Democrat to win a statewide office…

Cut 11 (11) “…conservative voters”

To help celebrate the Fourth of July and America’s 250th Birthday, the red snapper bag limit has been increased to five fish per angler starting tomorrow and running through Sunday. The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says the red snapper population can support extra harvesting.

Cut 7 (12) “..bag numbers.”

 

Former Southern baseball coach Roger Cador has passed away at the age of 74.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

State Representative Gabe Firment has announced he will run for Congress as he will look to replace Julia Letlow as Louisiana’s representative in the 5th Congressional District. State Representative Michael Echols is also running and so is Misti Cordell of Monroe, who is the chair of the Louisiana Board of Regents. All three of them are Republicans and GOP state senator Stewart Cathey is also expected to join the race. The open primary is in November.