7:30 LRN Newscast

Today is the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has a look at the recovery
Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state continues to battle wildfires and the the Tiger Island Fire in Beauregard Parish remains at 50-percent containment. It has burned more than 33-thousand acres and there are 224 people working on putting out the fire. Another fire in Beauregard near Longville has destroyed 19-thousand acres.

For the first time ever, the federal government is auctioning off sections of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico that will be developed to produce wind energy. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says this is part of the White House’s goal of a net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050…
cut 6 (12) “…nuclear power”
Upton says it will be three to five years before any wind projects appear in federal waters.

The state Department of Revenue is getting the word out the second amendment sales tax holiday is back. From Friday to Sunday, you can purchase firearms, ammunition and specified hunting supplies and not pay sales taxes. L-D-R Secretary Kevin Richard says in 2018 the second amendment sales tax holiday and other sales tax holidays were suspended because of a massive budget shortfall, but …
cut 9 (09) “…second amendment holiday

6:45 LRN Sportscast

We are five days away from 5th-ranked LSU kicking off the season against eighth-ranked Florida State in Orlando. The Seminoles held on for a 24-23 victory last year in the Superdome. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says he has a better team this year…

Cut 16 (10) “…and execute.”

At this time last year, Kelly had trouble identifying who will start on his offensive line. He says that’s not the case this year…
cut 28 (28) “…moving forward”

The Ragin Cajuns are gearing up to face Northwestern State on Saturday night. The game has been pushed back one hour to 7:30 because of the heat. Coach Michael Desormeaux believes he has a good team on his hands, but you never really know until you play another opponent…
cut 20 (20) “…as a team”
The Demons are coming off a 4-and-7 season and they have a new quarterback, Idaho State transfer Tyler Vander Waal.

Louisiana Tech receiver Smoke Harris has been named Conference USA player of the Week. He caught a career-high 11 passes in Tech’s come from behind win over F-I-U. Tech is at SMU this Saturday.

Today is cut down day in the NFL, the Browns have released former LSU kicker Cade York. Who will the Saints go with at kicker….Will Lutz or Blake Grupe?

6:30 LRN Newscast

Today marks the 18th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Southeast Louisiana. Katrina was responsible for more than 13-hundred deaths and it remains the costliest storm ever as a result of the federal levees failing. The Lower Ninth Ward has never returned to what it was, but Greater New Orleans Inc, President Michael Hecht, says the Northshore area has seen great growth and the Arabi-Chalmette area of St. Bernard Parish has also rebounded very well…
cut 14 (08) “….the country”

It was over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal data was compromised in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says it was the MOVEit File Transfer System that OMV uses and it has affected individuals across the globe.
Cut 10 (12) “…40-million people.”
Lee says the best thing you can do to protect yourself is freeze your credit.

The first U-S Gulf offshore wind auction to fuel the gulf coast region’s green hydrogen push takes place today. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 1 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

LRN AM Newscall August 29

The first U-S Gulf offshore wind auction to fuel the gulf coast region’s green hydrogen push takes place today. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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In June, the State Office of Motor Vehicle informed residents of a data breach that put everyone in their system at risk.  Brooke Thorington has more from an expert on what you should do.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Today is the 18th anniversary of when Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has a look at the recovery

Cut 3 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico takes place today. Interim LSU Center for Energy Studies Director Greg Upton says a proposed sale for offshore acreage off of Lake Charles and two areas near Galveston will be leased.

Cut 4 (09) “…power grid.”

The tracts of water in the Gulf of Mexico up for auction have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, that’s enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes. Upton says the economics of solar power may be more cost-competitive than offshore wind.

Cut 5 (12) “…economics closely.”

While the Biden administration has set a goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, Upton says companies like Entergy are embracing wind energy projects and reducing their carbon footprint.

Cut 6 (12) “…nuclear power.”

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The second Amendment Weekend Sales tax holiday returns to Louisiana this Labor Day weekend. In the past legislative session, the state Legislature reinstated the sales tax holiday, which had been suspended since 2018. L-D-R Secretary Kevin Richard (Ree-shard) says this is a great opportunity for hunters looking to stock up for the upcoming hunting season …

Cut 7 (09) “…in Louisiana.”

Purchases not eligible for the sales tax exemption include hunting dogs, animal feed, off-road vehicles and airboats.

Richard says from Friday to Sunday, you can purchase firearms, ammunition, specified hunting supplies, hunting appear and certain types of knives and not have to pay the state’s 4.45 sales tax…

Cut 8 (10) “…our citizens”

The 2nd amendment sales tax holiday was suspended in 2018 when the state was facing a severe budget shortfall. Richard says a back to school sales tax holiday and a Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax holiday were also suspended….

Cut 9 (09)  “…second amendment holiday”

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It was just over two months ago when the State Office of Motor Vehicles alerted residents that their personal data was compromised in a cyber security breach. James Lee with the Identify Theft Resource Center says it was the MOVEit File Transfer System that OMV used and others affected individuals across the globe.

Cut 10 (12) “…40-million people.”

Lee says they are still finding more and more organizations have been impacted and he expects those numbers to grow. He says there are other states like Louisiana that had an entire database of information stolen.

And while some might think if nothing’s happened by now, they are in the clear, Lee says otherwise. He says criminals are using the information to impersonate people…

Cut 11 (13) “…down the road.”

Lee says there are things that people need to do to protect their information and things you can do to make it less useful when their information is stolen. OMV is offering free credit monitoring service for those with a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued ID and he says you should take advantage of that. But the most important thing you should do is to freeze your credit.

Cut 12 (07) “…your credit.”

He says you can do that online with credit bureaus and when you need to apply for credit, you unfreeze it, and then when you’ve finished applying you freeze your credit again.

ITRC is a 24-year-old non-profit organization that assists individuals who are victims of identity crimes.

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On this 18th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s powerful landfall in southeast Louisiana, some would argue parts of New Orleans improved while other parts of the city continue to struggle. President of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht says it’s certainly a mixed bag comparing the city before and after.

Cut 13 (13) “…the hurricane.”

As for areas that grew post-Katrina, Hecht says they include the Northshore, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa Parishes. As for a comeback story, Hecht says his favorite is the Arabi Chalmette area of St. Bernard Parish.

Cut 14 (08) “…the country.” 

Among the misconceptions about Katrina is that only the area of the city that flooded was the Lower Ninth Ward.  Hecht says several areas were inundated with water, but areas that had better resources were able to rebuild.

On the flip side, Hecht, unfortunately, says the Lower Ninth Ward area of the Crescent City is one that has not recovered.  He says often people forget just how vibrant that area of New Orleans once was.

Hecht says residents in the Lower Ninth Ward didn’t have the means to rebuild compared to wealthier parts of the city who did. He says there were unintended consequences on how rebuilding programs were based on the home’s value.

As for where the city is headed, Hecht says there’s enormous opportunity across the economic spectrum and tourism is thriving as well. On the other hand,

Cut 15  (12) “….of the state.”

Today is also the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ida. Lengthy power restoration was a widespread issue of the Category Four storm.

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We are five days away from 5th-ranked LSU kicking off the season against eighth-ranked Florida State in Orlando. The Seminoles held on for a 24-23 victory last year in the Superdome. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says he has a better team this year…

Cut 16 (10) “…and execute.”

The Tigers are counting on a big season from quarterback Jayden Daniels. The fifth-year senior QB will be starting his second year with the Tigers, and Kelly says they’ve encouraged Daniels to be more aggressive in the passing game….

Cut 17 (16) “and ten.”

This game features two of the best defensive players in college football, LSU linebacker Harold Perkins and Florida State defensive end Jared Verse. Perkins had 7.5 sacks last season, while Verse had nine. Kelly says they plan to line Perkins up in different spots on the field…

Cut 18 (30) “…as well”

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The Ragin Cajuns kick off the season on Saturday when they host Northwestern State. Michael Desormeaux is entering his second year as the team’s head coach and says what he is most confident in this year.

Cut 19 (20) “…beat yourself.”

Desormeaux believes he has a good team on his hands, but you never really know until you play another opponent…

Cut 20 (20) “…as a team.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Some much-needed rainfall fell across parts of the state over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish but Strain says they are also fighting some big fires in and around Kisatchie National Forest and Fort Polk…
Cut 4 (10) “…damage happens”
This is eighth day of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Mark Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”
Officials say 50-percent of the Tiger Island fire is contained and the number of acres burned in Beauregard from multiple fires is more than 50-thousand.

An 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning trash piles on her property, has died after being rescued from a brush fire at her home on Sunday. State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says while conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted a brush fire off of LA 25.
Cut 7 (09) “…still alive.”

She later died from her injuries at a New Orleans hospital.

Northeast Louisiana is mourning the death of Doctor Charles McDonald, a former longtime state lawmaker and employee at ULM for more than 20 years. ULM President Doctor Ronald Berry says McDonald is known as the Father of Tops for helping to create the scholarship during his time at the State Capitol…
cut 12 (12) “….what he created”
McDonald was 84.

LRN PM Newscall August 28

The state’s largest wildfire ever continues to burn in Beauregard Parish. Jeff Palermo has an update…

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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An 84-year-old woman lost her life when a trash fire got out of control at her home in the St. Tammany town of Folsom. Teiko Foxx has the story…

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”  

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Some much needed rainfall fell across parts of the state over the weekend, but state Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the state continues to battle more than 100 fires a day. Strain says lighting strikes are starting some of the fires…

Cut 3 (07) “…ahead of that fire”

Strain says they are fighting some big fires in and around Kisatchie National Forest and Fort Polk…

Cut 4 (10) “…damage happens”

The largest wildfire is in Beauregard Parish. It has consumed more than 33-thousand acres and according to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry The Tiger Island Fire is 50-percent contained. Beauregard Sheriff Mark Herford says the Tiger Island Wildfire will likely burn until they get some good, long rain, which is not in the forecast anytime soon.

Cut 5 (09) “ ..top to top.” 

This is day eight of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…

Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”

Strain says they believe arson is the cause of multiple wildfires that devastated the area near Union Hill in southwest Rapides Parish. He says they need the public’s help in finding the culprits. And 41-year-old Ryan Miller of Independence was cited for criminal negligence for starting a trash fire that got out of control and burned more than 170 acres near Amite.

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An 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning trash piles on her property, has died after being rescued from a brush fire at her home on Sunday. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says while conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted a brush fire off of LA 25.

Cut 7 (09) “…still alive.” 

The fire spread to a neighboring property but firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. The woman’s husband was at home at the time but did not know what she was doing outside. Rodrigue says deputies believe the woman was burning a debris pile when for an unknown reason she fell.

Cut 8 (11) “…her there.”

The elderly female was taken to a New Orleans hospital in critical condition but later died. Rodrigue urges the public to follow the burn ban

Cut 9 (12) “…wildfire dangers.”

A statewide burn ban remains active and violators could face civil or criminal penalties.

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Former Louisiana legislator and ULM employee Dr. Charles McDonald passed away Saturday. McDonald served as the Director of Counseling, Placement, and Testing and the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry says in January, they honored him with the naming of the Dr. Charles R. McDonald Office of Financial Aid. Berry says the room was packed with former students.

Cut 10 (07) “…many people.”

McDonald spent more than two decades at ULM and was elected to serve in the State House of Representatives in 1991. In 2017, Berry says McDonald was honored with an appointment to serve on the Board of Regents.

Cut 11 (08) “…at ULM.”

As a legislator, McDonald served as Chair of the House Education Committee and was a lead author of TOPS. Berry says McDonald had a great understanding of the financial hardships students faced with higher education. Berry says TOPS serves almost 60-thousand students in Louisiana annually.

Cut 12 (12) “…he created.”

A service will be held at First Methodist of Monroe on Wednesday. McDonald was 84.

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Monroe native and former Neville star Will Campbell has been awarded the seven jersey, becoming the first LSU offensive lineman to have the opportunity to wear number seven, since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly…

Cut 13 (08) “…offensive lineman”

The NCAA does not allow for an offensive lineman to wear a single digit number, so Campbell will have a number seven patch on his jersey instead. Kelly says the spirit of the number seven jersey will remain the same

Cut  14 (11)  “.. .positive way”

2:30 LRN Newscast

An 84-year-old woman lost her life when a trash fire got out of control at her home in the St. Tammany town of Folsom. Teiko Foxx has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Bond has been revoked for a Rosepine man accused of starting a wildfire that destroyed two mobile homes and an undetermined amount of timber acreage. That’s means 59-year-old Paul Nash will have to wait until September 12th before a judge issues a new bond amount. Nash allegedly violated the burn ban by burning trash on his property.

This is day eight of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Mark Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”
Officials say 50-percent of the Tiger Island fire is contained and the number of acres burned in Beauregard from multiple fires is more than 50-thousand.

Monroe native and former Neville star Will Campbell has been awarded the seven jersey, becoming the first LSU offensive lineman to have the opportunity to wear number seven, since the school started assigning that number to the team’s top playmaker. Coach Brian Kelly…
cut 13 (08) “….offensive lineman”
The NCAA does not allow for offensive lineman to wear a single digit number, so Campbell will have a number seven patch on his jersey instead.

12:30 LRN Newscast

This is day eight of the wildfires in Beauregard Parish. Sheriff Mark Herford says his local firefighters are to the point of exhaustion. He says they are receiving help from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 6 (12) “…in wildfire”

An 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning trash piles on her property, has died after being rescued from a brush fire at her home on Sunday. State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says while conducting proactive patrols in St. Tammany Parish looking for burn ban violators, a deputy, and a volunteer firefighter spotted a brush fire off of LA 25.
Cut 7 (09) “…still alive.”
The elderly female succumbed from her injuries at a New Orleans hospital.

Former Louisiana legislator and ULM employee Dr. Charles McDonald passed away Saturday. McDonald served as the Director of Counseling, Placement, and Testing and the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships. ULM President Dr. Ron Berry says in January, they honored him with the naming of the Dr. Charles R. McDonald Office of Financial Aid. He says the room was packed with former students.
Cut 10 (07) “…many people.”
McDonald spent more than two decades at ULM and was elected to serve in the State House of Representatives in 1991.

Mortgage rates have climbed above seven-percent, the highest since 2001, which has cooled the housing market. But Louisiana Realtors CEO Norman Morris says a bigger obstacle to buying a new home is affordable homeowners insurance…
Cut 13 (12) “…moving forward.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

The battle continues against multiple wildfires in Louisiana. In St. Tammany Parish, an 84-year-old Folsom woman, who was burning debris piles, was found unconscious within a burned area of her property. She died at a New Orleans hospital.

Mortgage rates have pushed to a 22-year high but homeowner insurance rates might be a bigger factor when it comes to purchasing a home. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 3 (32) …I’m Teiko Foxx.”

A federal appeals court has thrown out the conviction and death sentence for Jarrell Neal. He was on death row for his role in a double homicide inside a Metairie home in 1998. Greg Vickers and Fergus Robinson were killed. Neal’s attorney Cecelia Kappel says her client was poorly represented in the original trial
Cut 7 (11) “…fair trial.”
It’s up to the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office on whether they will drop the charges or pursue a new trial.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says inflation remains too high. How has that impacted the restaurant industry? President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says restaurants continue to battle high prices…
cut 5 (12) “…years ago”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints closed out the preseason with a 17-13 loss to Houston. Derek Carr and most of the starters did not play. Quarterback Jameis Winston started and was 11 of 16 for 93 yards and a touchdown. He connected with tight end Jimmy Graham on a 25 yard pass and a three-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. But third-string QB threw two interceptions and finished with a quarterback rating of 36. Coach Dennis Allen wanted to finish the preseason with a win…
cut 24 (13) “…contested catches”
The Saints pass rush looked good last night. NIko Lalos, Isaiah Foskey and Malcolm Roach each had a sack. Roach also forced a fumble. The kicking compeition remains tight as Will Lutz tried to hold off rookie free agent Blake Grupe. Grupe made a 38 and 50 yarder last night, but missed from 60. The Saints need to trim the roster down from 90 to 53 by Tuesday afternoon.

Louisiana Tech kicked off the 2023 season with a 22-17 come-from-behind win over Conference USA rival FIU on Saturday night inside Joe Aillet Stadium. Tech trailed by as much as 14 points on two different occasions in the first half, but the Bulldogs ended up scoring 19 unanswered to go 1-and-0 on the season. Coach Sonny Cumbie says it was a great gut check victory…
Cut 17 (20) “…football team”
Tech has now won nine straight home openers and will be on the road this Saturday to face SMU.

Game week has arrived for the fifth ranked LSU Tigers who will battle eighth ranked Florida State Sunday night in Orlando. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says LSU’s offense is primed for a big season, with fifth-year senior Jayden Daniels at quarterback, playing behind an experienced o-line…
cut 20 (12) “….right now”