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.”

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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.” 

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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.” 

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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”

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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.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

There are three SEC weekends left and the postseason begins now for the LSU Tigers who need to get hot to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. LSU is 7-and-14 heading into this three-game set against top ranked Texas A-and-M. LSU Tiger great Todd Walker says there’s still time left to turn things around…
cut 27 (16) “…all out”
The Tigers will need a good outing from sophomore left hander Gage Jump. In his last two starts, Jump has allowed one run on five hits, one walk and he has 20 strikeouts. First pitch tonight is at 7 PM.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech enter this weekend’s play in first place in their respective conferences. Both are on the road. The Bulldogs are at New Mexico State while the Cajuns visit Troy, who is three games back of U-L Lafayette in the Sun Belt.

A couple of former LSU Tigers have signed with new NFL teams. Odell Beckham Junior has reportedly signed a one-year deal with Miami, while Alexandria native DJ Chark is headed to the Los Angeles Chargers. Chark had 35 catches for 525 yard and five touchdowns last season.

LSU football has missed out on one of their defensive tackle targets in the transfer portal. Damonic Williams who had two standout seasons at TCU has committed to Oklahoma.

New ULM Warhawks football coach Byrant Vincent says that he saw progress during spring practice. Vincent is trying to lead the Warhawks to their first winning season since 2012 and it will take a lot of work…
Cut 19 (14) “…do things.”

LRN PM Newscall May 3

When it comes to education, the Council for a Better Louisiana isn’t pleased with the budget cuts proposed by the the House. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The legendary rock band, The Rolling Stones, had a memorable performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Thursday. Jeff Palermo has a recap…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The budget passed in the House last week, cut $24 million from early childhood education and reduced teacher pay stipends from $2,000 to $1,700. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says it sends a bad message and it’s discouraging…

Cut 3 (13) “…a difference.” 

Erwin says lawmakers are aware of the ongoing teacher shortage and cutting their pay will most likely make things worse.

Cut 4 (11) “….gets cut.” 

Erwin says a solid early childhood education reduces one’s likelihood of a life of crime and after a session dedicated to crime reforms, but yet they reduced funding for such a vital program sends a mixed message.

Cut 5 (12)  “…direction.” 

Erwin says he’s hopeful the Senate will restore the cuts in these critical areas.

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Louisiana Tech raised $1.96 million on Giving Day this year. The fundraiser was held on April 18th and LA Tech President Jim Henderson says they received donations from over 800 different donors, like students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, corporate partners, and community members.

Cut 6  (10) “…they live.” 

He says donations ranged from five dollars to six figures.

Donations will go towards funding a variety of programs at the university.

Cut 7 (11) “…our campus.”  

Henderson says they want to continue to build programs and the theme of this year’s Giving Day was “Fulfilling our Potential.”

Cut 8 (09) “…focused manner.” 

Henderson says they are extremely grateful for the outpouring of donations to the university.

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The Rolling Stones long awaited appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is getting fantastic reviews. 40-thousand were on hand to see the British Rockers perform a two-hour, 18-song set list. President of New Orleans and Company Walt Leger says you would never guess frontman Mick Jagger is 80 years old

Cut 9 (08) “..amazing show” 

One of the highlights was New Orleans soul queen, Irma Thomas, singing “Time is on My Side” which was the first Top 10 American hit for the Rolling Stones in 1964. Thomas also released her version of that song the same year. Leger says it was a nice Jazz Fest touch…

Cut 10 (12) “..really cool.” 

After performing their hit song “Satisfaction” Jagger took the opportunity to take a jab at Governor Jeff Landry for his anti LGBTQ polices. Jagger said Landry is  inclusive and trying to bring the state back to the Stone age.

Landry answered back on the social media platform “X” and said the only person who might remember the stone age is Mick Jagger. And finished the post by saying Jagger is always welcomed in Louisiana. President of the Louisiana Radio Network and political analyst Jim Engster says….

Cut 11 (08) ” …sense of humor.”

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A murder suspect was arrested in Natchitoches Parish after he called authorities seeking assistance for a flat tire. Chief of operations for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jimmy Travis, says 25-year-old Jerome Wilson of Hammond was wanted in the stabbing death of 31-year-old Carol Allen of New Orleans.

Cut 12 (10) “…roadside assistance” 

Allen was a sex worker and the two met through an escort service. Travis says she was killed in her car.

Cut 13 (14) “…stabbed her”

Travis says Wilson has a history of armed robbery against female…

Cut  14 (12) “…offense.” 

Travis says Wilson’s motive was likely robbery and they believe Allen put up a fight.

1:30 LRN Newscast

When it comes to education, the Council for a Better Louisiana isn’t pleased with the budget cuts proposed by the House. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of multiple people involved in the beating and then shooting of a man identified as DaVeontre Modest. Authorities say Modest was first involved in a fight that left him unconscious, when he regained consciousness, he was shot at least two times. A juvenile and 20-year-old Kelvin Woods Junior have been charged with attempted second-degree murder.

A murder suspect was arrested in Natchitoches Parish after he called authorities about a flat tire….
cut 12 (10) “…roadside assistance’
Chief of operations for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jimmy Travis, says 25-year-old Jerome Wilson of Hammond was wanted in the stabbing death of 31-year-old Carol Allen of New Orleans. Allen was a sex worker and the two met through an escort service. She was killed in her car.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger let it be known he doesn’t appreciate Governor Jeff Landry’s policies against the LGBTQ community during their performance at the Jazz Fest yesterday. Jagger said Landry is inclusive and trying to bring the state back to the Stone age. Landry answered back on the social media platform “X” and said the only person who might remember the stone age is Jagger. Political analyst Jim Engster…
cut 11 (08) “…sense of humor”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team hosts top ranked Texas A-and-M this weekend. If the Tigers win this series, it will put them back into the conversation of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Jay Johnson…
cut 17 (15) “…a home”
LSU is 7-14 in the SEC, while the Aggies are 15-6 in the league and 39 and 6 overall. A-and-M’s starting pitcher tonight, left-hander Ryan Prager is 8-0 with a 2.59 ERA.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech enter this weekend’s play in first place in their respective conferences. Both are on the road. The Bulldogs are at New Mexico State while the Cajuns visit Troy, who is three games back of U-L Lafayette for first place in the Sun Belt.

The Saints have reportedly declined the fifth year option for defensive end Peyton Turner. The former first round pick will likely be a free agent after this season. Turner has struggled to stay healthy in his first three seasons in the NFL.

Former LSU Tiger and Alexandria native DJ Chark has reportedly signed with the Chargers.

The LSU football team has missed out on one of their defensive tackle targets in the transfer portal. Damonic Williams who had two standout seasons at TCU has committed to Oklahoma.

The head baseball coach at Walker High School, Nicholas Scelfo faces a felony theft charge for allegedly submitting false invoices totaling almost $30,000 to the school for reimbursement of equipment he never purchased. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says they were contacted after school officials conducted an equipment inventory.
Cut 10 (06) “…disappointing.”
The Livingston Parish School Board has placed Scelfo on administrative leave.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry’s legislative priorities are running into resistance in the Senate. A House approved school choice bill that the governor supports has yet to be heard by Senate Education. Landry also backs a major change in the public records law, but the bill awaits a debate on the Senate floor. And Senate President Cameron Henry also does not fully support a proposed constitutional convention. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 13 (06) “…he wants.”
There is still a month to go in the legislative session, so there is still time for Landry’s legislative priorities to make it through the legislative process.

The National 2024 Small Business Person of the Year is from Bayou State. Iam Tucker is the president and CEO of Integrated Logistical Support in New Orleans. As a second-generation small business owner of 15 years, Tucker says she’s extremely honored to receive the recognition.
Cut 4 (10) “…my life.”
Integrated Logistical Support employs civil engineers that assist with construction management.

The head baseball coach at Walker High School is accused of stealing 29-thousand dollars from the baseball program. Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard says Nicholas Scelfo submitted multiple reimbursement invoices totaling 29-thousand dollars and at the end of the 2024 season, school officials conducted an audit and the equipment he claimed to purchase did not exist…
cut 12 (09) “….hate it for them”
Scelfo faces a felony theft charge and his employment with the Livingston School system is under review.

The LSU baseball team hosts top ranked Texas A-and-M this weekend. If the Tigers win this series, it will put them back into the conversation of making the NCAA Tournament. Coach Jay Johnson…
cut 17 (15) “….a home”
Game one of the series is at 7 PM.