11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers took down one of the best teams in college baseball yesterday to advance into the winner’s bracket of the SEC Tournament. Jared Jones and Tommy White each hit grand slams as the Tigers blanked Kentucky eleven to nothing. Michael Braswell started the scoring with a solo home run on the third pitch of the game and scored three times. Coach Jay Johnson says Braswell is playing to his potential…
Cut 16 (20) “…hitting mistakes.”
The Tigers will face 10th seeded South Carolina around 4:30 today. The Gamecocks have also won two games in the SEC Tournament, beating Alabama and Arkansas. Thatcher Hurd is set to the start on the mound for LSU today.

It took about four and a half minutes this morning to complete last night’s game that was postponed because of weather between Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs beat the Blue Raiders eight to two. Coach Lane Burroughs admits he didn’t get much sleep, despite the big lead…
cut 30 (14) “…this win”
Reed Smith pitched six innings for his seventh win and Grant Comeaux was four-for-four at the plate and drove in three runs. Tech will play tomorrow at around 12:30 against the winner of today’s game between Sam Houston and Liberty.

The Ragin Cajuns need to win today to stay alive in the Sun Belt Tournament. U-L Lafayette lost Old Dominion seven to three yesterday. They’ll play James Madison this afternoon in an elimination game.

And Lamar eliminated Northwestern State from the southland Tourney.

11:30 LRN Newscast

NOAA is predicting 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes this is year. It’s the most severe hurricane forecast ever produced by the government weather agency and it’s because of warm sea surface temperatures and La Nina, which allows for more tropical development.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves the largest renewable power expansion in the state’s history. Mel Bridges has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Legislation has been approved this year that’s intended to bring more private insurers into the state in the hopes competition will lower premiums. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says lawmakers are also looking to pass a bill that could provide immediate premium relief, by suspending the 10-percent surcharge Louisiana Citizens policyholders have to pay to receive coverage through the state’s insurer of last resort…
Cut 6 (06) “…legislative level.”
Under this bill the ten-percent surcharge will go away for three years for coastal residents and it will be reduced by five percent for Citizens policyholders outside of the coastal zone.

Folks in Acadiana have something to brag about, with U.S. News and World Report names Lafayette as Louisiana’s best place to live. Mayor Monique Boulet says the secret is out about what a great place the Hub City is to live.
Cut 3 (12) “…invited to.”
Boulet says Lafayette offers the culture, food, and entertainment that Louisiana is known for, along with a family-friendly environment.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team is on some kind of a roll as the Fighting Tigers trounced the second ranked Kentucky Wildcats 11 to 0 in eight innings to advance into the winner’s bracket of the SEC Tournament. Jared Jones and Tommy White both hit grand slams and Luke Holman threw six hitless innings. Coach Jay Johnson says Holman was in complete control…
cut 17 (18) “…I’ve had”
LSU will play South Carolina at 4:30 PM today in a winner’s bracket game. The Tigers have won five straight SEC games.

The Ragin Cajuns gave up six runs in the fourth inning and lost to Old Dominion seven to three. Chase Morgan suffered the loss. The Cajuns will look to avoid elimination today at 12:30 as they play James Madison.
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Lighting in the Ruston area kept Louisiana Tech from completing its game against Middle Tennessee in the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are in good shape, they lead the Blue Raiders eight to two and will look to complete the game this morning at 9 AM.

McNeese, Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana were all big winners in the Southland Tournament. The Cowboys will face UIW in a winner’s bracket game today, while the Lions and Colonels will face each other tonight. Northwestern State will look to avoid elimination as they face top seeded Lamar.

In the SWAC tournament…Grambling defeated Alabama State six to three. Trevor Hatton had a bases loaded clearing triple and Mason Martinez won his eleventh game. And Florida A-and-M defeated Southern eight to five.

The General Manager of the Caesars Superdome says the Saints are 11-million dollars behind in their payments towards the ongoing renovation of the Dome. The Saints say they plan to pay their portion of the costs but they are waiting for certain documents.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers are on some kind of a roll as they routed one of the best teams in college baseball today. Jared Jones and Tommy White each hit grand slams and Luke Holman pitched six hitless innings in an 11 to nothing win over Kentucky in eight innings. Jones’ grand slam came in the seventh inning with the Tigers were up two to nothing…
cut 29 (17) “…put a good swing on it”
Hayden Travinski followed Jones’ grand slam with a solo shot and White hit his granny in the eighth inning.

The Tigers will play tomorrow afternoon at around 4:30 PM against South Carolina. The Gameocks upset Arkansas today six to five. South Carolina is just like LSU, they will be playing in their third game in as many days.

McNeese scored seven runs in the second inning on their way to beating Northwestern State ten to five in the opening game of the Southland Conference Tournament. Elliot Hebert had a two-run single in that inning. Zach Voss pitched six innings for his second win of the year.

The Cowboys advance to play UIW in a winner’s bracket game. The Cardinals upset top seeded Lamar six to three. Northwestern State gets Lamar in an elimination game tomorrow.

The Superdome Commission says the Saints are behind on their payments in helping to fund the ongoing renovation of the Caesars Superdome. The general manager for ASM Global, Evan Holmes, says the Saints owe 11.5 million dollars as they have not made a payment since December. Holmes says the delinquent payments hav not stopped the 450-million dollar renovation and there’s been no word from the Saints on why they are not paying their part.

David Patrick is returning as an assistant LSU men’s basketball coach. He was an assistant under former head coach Johnny Jones. He’s leaving as the head coach at Sacramento State to return to Baton Rouge.

3:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House approves legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion-inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson…
Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.”
More than 200 doctors have expressed opposition to the bill saying they are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts.
Cut 5 (11) “…of this state.”
The amended bill returns to the Senate.

Amended legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passes in the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state department of education released a series of recommendations designed to make it easier for teachers in the classroom. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says one of the recommendations would support student mental health challenges through trained professionals…
cut 13 (08) “…mental health professionals”

LRN PM Newscall May 22

Louisiana could soon become the first state to classify two drugs used to induce an abortion as controlled substances. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (36)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amended legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passes in the Senate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Louisiana House has approved legislation making it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could delay reproductive care. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…

Cut 3 (10) “…in everything.” 

Louisiana would be the first state to classify these abortion inducing pills as controlled dangerous substances. Carrencro Representative Julie Emerson explains why it’s necessary..

Cut 4 (10) “…cause death.” 

More than 200 doctors have expressed their opposition to the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Freeman accused supporters of putting the interests of the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life over medical experts. 

Cut 5 (11)  “…of this state.”

But the bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the drugs are still available, but a prescription will now be required to use them for legitimate medical uses, except for abortions.

Emerson made that point during debate on the House floor…

Cut 6  (09) “…elected abortions. ” 

The bill was filed because Pressly’s former brother-in-law in Texas received a light sentence when he was convicted for trying to end his sister’s pregnancy by slipping the abortion inducing drugs into her drinks.

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Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it heads back to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.

Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”  

New Orleans Democrat Senator Gary Carter asked Coussan to clarify that the amendment would change the bill to only repeal required breaks for teens sixteen and older.

Cut 8 (08)  “…thank you.” 

Many Republican Senator Alan Seabaugh, who supports the bill, objected to the amendment and says it will only deter employers from hiring those who are 15-year-olds and younger.

Cut 9 (14) “…do object.” 

The amendment passed on a 25 to 11 vote.

Monroe Democrat Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says the minors she sees working in her district are using their break to study or finish homework. After hearing proponents say ‘kids want to work’ she felt moved to speak against the bill.

Cut 10 (12) “…the bill.” 

House Bill 156, in its amended form, passed on a 26 to 11 vote in the Senate and it now returns to the House for a vote.

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Governor Landry and State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley unveiled recommendations today to support public school teachers and students. The “Let Teachers, teach” workgroup focused on identifying classroom disruptions and ways to unburden teachers with unrealistic expectations, and putting practical solutions in place to allow teachers to focus on teaching. Governor Landry…

Cut 11 (06) ” …not what to think.”

Landry says classrooms should be learning environments not babysitting environmnet.
Brumley says help is on the way to restore common sense policies, protect teachers time and bring law and order back to school campuses. Brumley shared a few recommendations, from removing cell phones from the classroom and students who misbehave

Cut 12 (11) “…from learning.” 

Brumley says they also want to support student mental health challenges through trained professionals…

Cut 13 (08) “…mental health professionals” 

A state Department of Education spokesperson says some recommendations will require state action others can be addressed at the school or school system level.

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Congressman Garret Graves says U-S Supreme Court was lazy with its decision on ordering the state to use the Congressional map with two majority Black districts for this year’s federal elections. Graves still believes the political boundaries for this map are racially gerry mandered…

Cut  14 (12) “…figure it out later.” 

Graves will seek another term in Congress, but may not run in his sixth district, which has been redrawn to represent areas in Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Shreveport. He says there are another districts he could represent…

Cut 15 (13) “…South Louisiana.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have started O-T-As and they have Trevor Penning working at right tackle and this year’s first round pick Taliese Fauga (Tall-ee-s-a Foo-ah-gah) is at left tackle. Ryan Ramczyk remains out with a knee injury and there’s a possibility is playing career is over. Coach Dennis Allen was asked about the lineup at offensive line…
cut 20 (20) “…thought process”
The Saints have released their preseason schedule. The first preseason game is at Arizona on August 10th. They will visit San Francisco on August 18th and the only home preseason game is August 25th against Tennessee.

Pelicans small forward Herb Jones has been named to the NBA’s first-team all-defensive squad. The 25-year-old led the Pelicans in steals with 105 and second in blocks with 62.

The LSU Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season. They opened the SEC Tournament with a nine to one win over Georgia and they lead Kentucky two to nothing as they enter the late stages of today’s game. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…
cut 17 (12) “….realizes that’
Rogers says LSU will be one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cajuns begin play in the Sun Belt Tournament this afternoon at four PM in Montgomery, Alabama. U-L Lafayette will face Old Dominion. Rogers says the Cajuns pitching has been strong, now their bats are cooking…
cut 19 (20) “…as well”

In Ruston, the Conference USA tournament is underway. Louisiana Tech is scheduled to play Middle Tennessee in the third game of the day. Bulldogs two-way star Ethan Bates is the Conference USA Player of the year.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Legislation requiring all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning by 2032 fails to receive the support of the Louisiana House.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that classifies two drugs that induce abortions as dangerous controlled substances. Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly’s legislation calls for a prison sentence of up to ten years if a person is in possession of the abortion pills without a prescription. Doctors oppose the bill because they say the drugs are needed to treat miscarriages or stop hemorrhaging after childbirth. Pressly says the drugs will still be available for legitimate medical reasons with a prescription.

Legislation to remove the required 20-minute break for minors who work five or more hours passed in the Senate after it was amended and it returns to the House. Lafayette Republican Senator Jean-Paul Coussan’s amendment changed the bill to keep the required break for fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds.
Cut 7 (13) “…my vote.”
The measure still needs House approval of the Senate change.

They will be playing a lot of baseball in Hammond and Ruston over the next few days as both cities are hosting conference baseball tournaments. In Ruston, Louisiana Tech is the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says they expect a surge of Bulldog fans…
cut 15 (09) “….here in Ruston”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is poised to become the first state to classify two pills that are used to induce an abortion as controlled dangerous substances. Opponents of the legislation say this could cause delays in women receiving timely reproductive care, but Carencro Representative Julie Emerson made this argument
cut 4 (10) “…cause death”
The bill’s author, Shreveport Senator Thomas Pressly, says the legislation will not present barriers to accessing the medication for legitimate medical purposes other than abortion.

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that called for all public school buses to have heating and air conditioning. The measure failed on a 57-42 vote. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of the “no” votes…
cut 12 (06) “…local school”
The bill passed the Senate 33 to 4.

The LSU Tigers are playing their best baseball of the season. They opened the SEC Tournament with a nine to one win over Georgia and they lead Kentucky two to nothing today. D-1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers says LSU’s solid play of late has been impressive…
cut 17 (12) “….realizes that’
Rogers says LSU will be one of the 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Conference USA Baseball Tournament is underway in Ruston. Director of Marketing and Communications for Experience Ruston, Tori Davis, says the tournament kicks off a big summer of tourism for the area…
cut 16 (10) “…Louisiana Peach Festival”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would make it a crime to possess two abortion-inducing drugs without a prescription. But doctors are concerned reclassifying mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled dangerous substances could prevent pregnant patients from receiving care in a timely manner. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman expressed her frustration…
cut 3 (10) “…everything”
The drugs can treat miscarriages, induce labor and halt hemorrhaging. Proponents of the legislation say the pills will still be available for legitimate medical purposes.

The House Criminal Justice Committee has rejected a bill that would prevent the state from using nitrogen hypoxia as a method to carrying out an execution. Jacquelyn Stern with Jews Against Gassing says they tried to talk with the governor about this issue…
cut 9 (11) “…our testimony”

A cicada known as the Great Southern Brood has emerged after 13 years, but there’s a concern they are no longer in Louisiana. The LSU Ag Center is asking the public to document the emergence of individual cicadas but also to see if if there are any chorusing activities in trees…
cut 27 (10) “…in the field”
That’s LSU Ag Center Insect Diagnostician Christopher Carlton.

The Southland Conference Baseball Tournament is underway in Hammond. Southeastern Louisiana Athletics Director Jay Artigues says all of the games will be played at Alumni Field…
cut 14 (07) “…for the fans”
And in Ruston, Louisiana Tech is hosting the Conference USA Tournament. The Bulldogs are the top seed and will play Middle Tennessee late in the afternoon.