6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.
Cut 7 (11) “…thin majority.”
The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week but it was pushed to today.

It’s only the first full week of May and we could see some 90-degree temperatures this week. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says humidity levels will also be up, so triple digit heat indexes are possible…
cut 14 (12) “….very nice”
There is a slight chance for severe weather on Wednesday for north Louisiana and for most of the state on Thursday.

A meeting was held Monday on the remedial process of how the state’s congressional map will be drawn. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Also, during yesterday’s hearing, the three-judge court wanted an answer from the state by the end of today on whether it’s possible the Louisiana legislature can try again and approve a new map for this fall’s elections. Legislators are are in session until June 3rd, but there might not be a legislative instrument available for them to start the process.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team won a series over top-ranked Texas A-and-M over the weekend. The Tigers had a chance to sweep but gave up nine runs in the fifth inning in a 14-4 loss to the Aggies. Coach Jay Johnson says they held down a powerful A-and-M offense as long as they could
Cut 16 (15) “..from us.”
Six more SEC games are left, and the Tigers are 9-15 in the SEC. The goal for LSU is to get to at least 13 wins to give them a shot at an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament.

In the D-1 Baseball poll, Tennessee is the newly ranked number one team. Texas A-and-M fell to third. Alabama fell out of the Top 25. The Crimson Tide lost a series to Mississippi State.

The Ragin Cajuns are down to 22 after losing a series to Troy.

Lafayette native Brian Hernandez, from Acadiana High School. rode Mystic Dan to a win at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway from Shreveport are among the co-owners. Sharilyn Gasaway says Mystik Dan’s greatest strengths are of course his speed, but he’s also very calm.
Cut 10 (07) “..150,000 people plus”
Mystik Dan may not go for the Triple Crown. Gasaway says the Kentucky-bred horse has not fared well on two weeks rest. The next leg of the triple crown is the Preakness is May 18th.

A cornerback LSU was looking at in the transfer portal has committed to Alabama. DaShawn Jones played in ten games for Wake Forest last season and had a team-high three interceptions.

The semifinals of the high school baseball playoffs begin tomorrow in Sulphur….IN Division Five select, Avoyelles Charter plays Rapides, In non select division four, Oak Grove battles DeQuincy, and in Division Four select, Opelousas Catholic versus Central Catholic.

LRN PM Newscall May 6

A statewide poll finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating at 56-percent after 100 days in office. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Lafayette native Brian Hernandez rode Mystik Dan to a win at the Kentucky Derby. Jeff Palermo reports co-owners of the horse are from Shreveport…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A statewide poll conducted for the Times Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating is 56-percent. U-L-M political science professor Pearson Cross says Landry has been busy with two special sessions and a regular session since January and voters have noticed

Cut 3 (11) “..new governor.” 

Landry received nearly 52-percent of the vote when he was elected in October.

But only 21-percent of the voters approve of how he’s handling the state’s insurance crisis. Cross says the low the percentage could be the result of voters not understanding the insurance reform legislation that’s lawmakers are debating…

Cut 4 (11) “..for them.” 

Only one percent of the respondents said a new constitution should be one of the governor’s top goals. Cross says Landry is pushing for a constitutional convention to begin on May 20th

Cut 5 (10)  “…deal with it” 

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When Corporal Jason Lee with the Baton Rouge Police took on extra duty Saturday, he never imagined it would include delivering a healthy baby boy. Lt. L’ Jean McNeely says Lee was driving down Greenwell Springs Road when he was flagged down by a woman, who’s daughter, Destiny Allen was in labor.

Cut 6  (10) “…the baby.” 

Immediately after baby Noah was born, McNeely says Lee noticed that he was having difficulty breathing.

Cut 7 (12) “…is history.”  

McNeely says it’s very fortunate that Lee was at the right place at the right time, and while it wasn’t Lee’s first time observing the miracle of birth.

Cut 8 (09) “…his first time.” 

Mom, Destiny Allen, and baby Noah are doing well and Lee has visited them at the hospital several times. Lee will be recognized for his stork duties at the BRPD’s annual awards ceremony.

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The winning horse at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby has Louisiana’s fingerprints all over it. Mystik Dan won by a nose, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Lafayette native Brian Hernandez was the jockey and Shreveport native Sharilyn Gasaway is a co-owner…

Cut 9 (07) “…this horse. 

Sharilyn owns the horse along with her husband Brent. They are graduates of Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport.

Sharilyn Gasaway says Mystik Dan’s greatest strengths are of course his speed, but he’s also very calm.

Cut 10 (07) “..150,000 people plus” 

Mystik Dan had a third place finish at the Arkansas Derby in March and won the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes in February. Sharilyn Gasaway says Mystik Dan’s win in the Southwest gave them the confidence he could win at horse racing’s biggest race…

Cut 11 (11) ” ..Derby material.”

Mystik Dan may not go for the Triple Crown. Gasaway says the Kentucky-bred horse has not fared well on two weeks rest. The Preakness is May 18th.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A status conference takes place today on what happens now after a three-judge panel rejected the Congressional map approved by state lawmakers earlier this year. NAACP legal defense fund attorney Jared Evans says there are several options on the table, including a special master being appointed to draw a new map…
cut 6 (11) “….a map”
The Secretary of State’s Office says it has a May 15th deadline for a new map to be used for this fall’s congressional elections.

The LSU baseball team missed out sweeping the top ranked Texas A-and-M Aggies as they lost yesterday 14 to 4. Coach Jay Johnson says they held down a powerful Aggies team as long as they could…
cut 16 (15) “…from us”
LSU is now 9-15 in the SEC.
Waiting for the governor’s signature is a bill that would allow property insurance companies to drop customers if they’ve been a policyholder for three or more years. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says by reducing regulations on insurance providers, it will result in more companies writing homeowners policies. But Ben Riggs, executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says repealing the three year rule will not spur on more competition among private insurance carriers…
Cut 12 (09) “…less available”
Temple says ending the three-year rule is just one of several reform measures that will help bring more insurance companies to Louisiana
Cut 13 (08) “…to Louisiana.”
The legislation only gives insurers the ability to cancel up to five percent of its total policyholders in Louisiana and no more than five-percent in a single parish.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Today, a meeting will be held in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A statewide poll conducted for the Times Picayune and the Advocate finds Governor Jeff Landry’s approval rating is 56-percent. Landry received nearly 52-percent of the vote when he was elected in October. But only 21-percent of the voters approve of how he’s handling the state’s insurance crisis.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday and groups like the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children hope more revenue is recognized to avoid a proposed cut of 24 million dollars from early childhood education. Libbie Sonnier is the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children…
cut 9 (11) “…the economy”
Sonnier says if early childhood education is cut by 24-million dollars, it will mean two-thousand less kids can enroll into a early childhood program.

The Louisiana Senate reconvenes this afternoon and they could give final passage to a bill that would require high schoolers to pass a computer science course to graduate. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says having computer skills is a necessity…
cut 15 (08) “…today’s workforce”

7:30 LRN Newscast

A property insurance reform bill waiting for the governor’s signature would end the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from dropping a customer that’s been a policyholder for more than three years. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation allows insurance companies to manage their risks better
Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else.”
Opponents say this will do nothing to increase availability of insurance or lower premiums.

The Louisiana Senate could give final legislative approval today to a bill requiring high schoolers to pass a computer science course to graduate. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the requirement takes effect for the 2027-28 school year
Cut 14 (08) “…this bill.”
Hughes says the legislation would also require the passage of a computer science course to be eligible for TOPS.

The Louisiana House’s version of the budget cut $24-million from the $87 million Governor Landry proposed for Early Childhood Education. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Colleen Crain.”

Buckeye High School student Mason A has scored a perfect 36 on the ACT. Mason grew up with his grandmother in DeVille and plans to study computer science at Louisiana Tech.

Lafayette jockey Brian Hernandez Junior rode Mystik Dan to victory at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Mystik Dan is owned by Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway, who are Captain Shreve graduates.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team gave up nine runs in the fifth inning yesterday and lost to top ranked Texas A-and-M 14 to 4. But the Tigers won the first two games of the series by identical scores of six to four. Coach Jay JOhnson says they got great pitching performances from Gage Jump, Luke Holman, Griffin Herring and Christian Little and some clutch hitting…
cut 17 (17) “…we’re doing that”
LSU is now 9-and-15 in the SEC. If they are able to win their final two SEC series against Alabama and Ole Miss, that could be enough to get them into the NCAA Tournament.

The Ragin Cajuns won a wild game over Troy 14 to 13 in ten innings to salvage one game of the series against the Trojans. Conor Higgs home run in the tenth inning was the difference. U-L Lafayette has a two game lead over Troy for first place in the Sun Belt.

Louisiana Tech fell out of first place in Conference USA after losing two of three to New Mexico State. Saturday was a really tough loss. La Tech led 9-2 in the seventh inning and had a four-run lead in the ninth inning and ended up losing 16 to 15 in 13 innings. The Bulldogs trail Western Kentucky by a half a game. Tech hosts Western Kentucky this weekend.

ULM was swept by Georgia Southern.

Nicholls two games out of first place in the Southland after winning a series against U-I-W. The Colonels have won all four of their road Southland series this season.

UNO took two of three from Southeastern Louisiana and they are in third place in the Southland.

Conference softball tournaments start this week. LSU is the eight seed in the SEC Tournament and they will face Alabama on Wednesday morning.

The Southland Tournament will take place in Hammond. The McNeese Cowgirls are the top seed, Southeastern is the two seed. Nicholls is a three seed and they’ll play Tuesday night at 6 PM.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A meeting will be held today in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map after the most recent one was dismissed by a three-judge federal panel. After three years of back and forth, NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans is disappointed with last week’s ruling…
Cut 4 (11) “…Black districts.”
There’s a good chance the U-S Supreme Court will have to get involved.

The Senate Finance Committee will soon begin to discuss the House Approved budget. The House’s spending plan proposes to spend 24 million dollars less on early childhood education. Executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Libbie Sonnier, says the reduction will result in two-thousand children from low income families from getting into an early childhood program…
cut 7 (08) “….dire”

Passing a computer science class could soon be a must to graduate high school. Jeanne Burns has the story…
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

Updated LRN AM Newscall May 6

Today, a meeting will be held in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________________________

The Louisiana House’s proposed budget cut $24-million from the $87 million Governor Landry proposed for Early Childhood Education. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “I’m Colleen Crain.” 

____________________________________________

Passing a computer science class could soon be a must to graduate high school. Jeanne Burns has the story…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.” 

____________________________________________

A meeting will be held today in Shreveport to decide how to finalize the state’s congressional map after the most recent one was thrown out in court. After three years of back and forth, NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney Jared Evans is disappointed with the ruling…

Cut 4 (11) “…Black districts.”

Evans says he and other interested parties will attend the meeting and begin the remedial process.

Cut 5 (09) “…congressional map.” 

Evans says the court will give their opinion on how the map will be decided. He says there are several options on the table, for example, they could appoint a special master to draw the map.

Cut 6 (11) “…a map.”

The timeline is tight with a Secretary of State deadline of May 15th so candidates and voters will know their district lines for the fall election. Evans believes there’s a possibility that the deadline will be pushed.

___________________________________________________________

Departing from Governor Landry’s proposal that would maintain the 87 million dollars in the budget set aside for early childhood education, the House cut 24 million dollars from it. Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Libbie Sonnier says the cut will remove 2000 children from their programs.

Cut 7 (08) “…dire.”

Sonnier says access to early education is vital in preparing children to enter kindergarten on time, read at grade level by third grade and achieve success in school. She’s concerned about an already stressed system…

Cut 8 (10) “…even worse.” 

Sonnier is hoping when the Revenue Estimating Committee meets, they will realize more money and then that the Senate will return the 24 million dollars in cuts to the early childhood education budget…

Cut 9 (11)  “…the economy.”

____________________________________________________

A property insurance reform bill waiting for the governor’s signature would end the three-year rule. Louisiana is the only state that prohibits an insurer from canceling policies that are three years old or older. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment says the legislation allows insurance companies to manage their risks better

Cut 10 (11) “…everybody else.”

Firment’s legislation only gives insurers the ability to cancel up to five percent of its total policholders in Louisiana and no more than five-percent in a single parish.

But New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard is concerned that removing this consumer protection policy will result in more homeowners relying on Citizens Insurance, which is 10-percent more expensive than the private market

Cut 11 (11) “…(x2) riskiest policies.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says by reducing regulations on insurance providers, it will result in more companies writing homeowners policies. But Ben Riggs, executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says repealing the three year rule will not spur on more competition among private insurance carriers…

Cut 12 (09) “…less available” 

Temple says ending the three-year rule is just one of several reform measures that will help bring more insurance companies to Louisiana

Cut 13 (08)  “…to Louisiana.”

__________________________________________________________

The Louisiana Senate could give final legislative approval today to a bill requiring high schoolers to pass a computer science course to graduate. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says the requirement takes effect for the 2027-28 school year

Cut 14 (08)  “…this bill.”

Hughes says the legislation would also require the passage of a computer science course to be eligible for TOPS. Hughes says having computer skills is a necessity…

Cut 15 (08)  “..today’s workforce”

_________________________________________________

The LSU baseball team won a series over top-ranked Texas A-and-M over the weekend. The Tigers had a chance to sweep but gave up nine runs in the fifth inning in a 14-4 loss to the Aggies. Coach Jay Johnson says they held down a powerful A-and-M offense as long as they could

Cut 16 (15)  “..from us.”

The Tigers won the first two games of the series by the identical scores of six to four. Johnson says they got great pitching performances from Gage Jump, Luke Holman, Griffin Herring and Christian Little and some clutch hitting…

Cut 17 (17) “…we’re doing that”

Six more SEC games are left, and the Tigers are 9-15 in the SEC. The goal for LSU is to get to at least 13 wins to give them a shot at an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. Johnson says they put themselves in position…

Cut 18 (20)  “… we’re in the fight.”

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team took down top ranked Texas A-and-M last night six to four to begin a huge three game series. The Tigers fell behind two to nothing, but took the lead with a four-run sixth inning. Josh Pearson had the big hit, a two-run double. Griffin Herring was money out of the bullpen as he got the final seven outs for his fourth save of the season.

Louisiana Tech won its seventh straight last night, an 18 to 4 win over New Mexico State. The Bulldogs hit seven home runs. Cole McConnell and Jorge (George) Carona each hit two home runs.

The 18th ranked Ragin Cajuns were on the wrong end of a blowout as Troy trounced U-L Lafayette 16 to 5. Andrew Herrmann suffered the loss as he gave up six runs in two innings, but only two of them were earned.

Georgia Southern downed ULM 12 to 4, UNO edged Southeastern four to three, McNeese over Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi seven to three, while Nicholls and Northwestern State lost.
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Two former LSU receivers sign with new NFL teams. Odell Beckham Junior has reportedly signed with Miami, after catching 35 passes in Baltimore last season. While DJ Chark agrees to a deal with the Chargers. He had 35 catches in Carolina last year. And former LSU linebacker and Atlanta Falcon Deion Jones has signed with the Bills.

Two of LSU’s top targets at defensive tackle in the transfer portal have committed to other schools. Damonic Williams is heading to Oklahoma and Simeon Barrow is heading to Miami.

1st year ULM coach Bryant Vincent is trying to build a winner in Monroe. He says he saw progress in the spring…
cut 20 (19) “….we practice’
ULM opens the season against Jackson State.