2:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy believes former President Donald Trump should drop out of the 2024 Presidential race. During an appearance on C-N-N’s State of the Union, Cassidy says current polling shows Trump can not beat President Joe Biden in a general election…
Cut 3 (09) “…high inflation”
Trump is also facing nearly 100 criminal charges from four different federal indictments.

Sad story out of St. Tammany Parish as a 12-year-old girl lost her life in an ATV accident on Saturday night near the town of Bush. Her 13-year-old passenger was also injured. Sergeant Suzanne Carboni with the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office says children should not be the ones operating ATVs…
cut 11 (08) “….very dangerous’
The deceased 12-year-old has been identified as Payton Strain.

Today in a Baton Rouge courtroom, arguments were heard in a case against the LHSAA. Nine schools from Rapides Parish and the Monroe area are seeking an injunction that would prevent the Association from implementing the football playoff format they used last year. Attorney Brian Blackwell represents the schools and says high schools never had a chance to vote on the new definition for select schools…
cut 30 (12) “….playoff structure”
An attorney for the LHSAA says the definition for select schools was on the executive committee’s agenda for months.

A tropical depression is moving across the Gulf of Mexico from east to west. It’s staying well south of Louisiana as it moves towards Texas. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Stacey Denson says the depression is causing breezy conditions across the state…
cut 67 (08) “…southern Louisiana”
Those breezy conditions is what it’s a red flag day, which means wildfire risks are elevated.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says former President Donald Trump should drop out of the 2024 Presidential race.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The tropics are very active. Stacey Denson is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles…
cut 8 (08) “…in Louisiana”
Denson says a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to become a tropical storm before it reaches Texas tomorrow.

A family in southeast Louisiana is mourning the death of a 12-year-old, killed in an ATV accident over the weekend in St. Tammany Parish. Sergeant Suzanne Carboni with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, says based on their investigation, the 12-year-old was the driver…
cut 10 (08) “…as such”
Carboni says the four-wheel ATV left the roadway and struck a tree. A 13-year-old passenger was also injured.

Multiple candidates in the governor’s race are claiming they are the political outsider needed to improve Louisiana. Here’s a snippet from Stephen Waguespack’s latest TV ad…
cut 13 (10) “…job done”
But State Treasurer John Schorder’s new TV ad criticizes both Waguespack and attorney general Jeff Landry as political insiders.

12:30 LRN Newscast

There is a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico moving south of Louisiana towards Texas and it’s resulted in a Red Flag Warning, which means wildfires and grass fires can spread quickly. National Weather Service Lake Charles Meteorologist Stacey Denson.
Cut 6 (10) “…dry conditions”
According to the governor’s office, there have been more than 260 wildfires during this hot and dry summer that have damaged and destroyed more than 3,500 acres.

Sad story out of St. Tammany Parish as a 12-year-old girl lost her life in an ATV accident on Saturday night near the town of Bush. Her 13-year-old passenger was also injured. Sergeant Suzanne Carboni with the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office says children should not be the ones operating ATVs…
cut 11 (08) “….very dangerous’
The deceased 12-year-old has been identified as Payton Strain.

During an appearance on C-N-N’s State of the Union, Senator Bill Cassidy said former President Donald Trump should end his 2024 presidential campaign. Cassidy says the polls indicate Trump can’t beat President Joe Biden in a general election and the former president could also be convicted of a federal crime by November 2024. Cassidy says he’ll vote for a Republican candidate that plans to address the future of Social Security….
cut 5 (05) “….do nothing”
Cassidy says if nothing is done, Social Security will start to run out of money in about a decade, resulting in a 24-percent benefit cut.

In the Louisiana governor’s race, State Treasurer John Schroder takes a shot at fellow Republicans Jeff Landry and Stephen Waguespack in his latest TV ad, calling them political insiders who will not address the issues affecting Louisiana…
cut 12 (11) “….demand change”
But Waguespack, who is the former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says, he’s the political outsider who can get the job done.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana U-S Senator Bill Cassidy believes former President Donald Trump should end his campaign to return to the White House, because Cassidy believes Trump can not defeat President Joe Biden in the general election. Trump faces several federal criminal charges and Cassidy believes the one that will certainly stick is the mishandling of classified documents…
cut 4 (08) “…this playing”
Cassidy made the comment during the C-N-N’s State of the Union.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state’s unemployment rate was a record low for July, three-point-five percent. That breaks the previous low for July, which was last year at three-point six percent. Economist Loren Scott says with a relatively small group of people looking for work, businesses have to get creative…
cut 14 (12) “…..now do”

A 12-year-old girl was killed over the weekend in an ATV accident near the town of Bush. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Sergeant Suzanne Carboni says the victim and a 13-year-old girl drove off the roadway Saturday night and slammed into a tree…
cut 9 (11) “…Sunday morning”
The coroner has identified the 12-year-old girl as Payton Strain.

Today in a Baton Rouge courtroom, arguments will be heard in a case against the LHSAA. Nine schools from Rapides Parish and the Monroe area are seeking an injunction that would prevent the Association from implementing football playoff format they used last year. Attorney Brian Blackwell represents the schools and says high schools never had a chance to vote on the new definition for select schools…
cut 5 (12) “….playoff structure”
An attorney for the LHSAA says the definition for select schools was on the executive committee’s agenda for months.

8:30 LRN Newscast

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 407,000 Louisiana workers quit their jobs in the first six months of this year. A record 760,000 Louisianans left their job last year so the Bayou State is on pace to break that record. Economist Loren Scott says many Louisiana workers are leaving their job for better pay…
Cut 13 (12) “…higher wage rates.”

Advocates for access of pre-K education say an additional 86-million dollars is needed to make sure every at-risk child can have access to early care and education programs. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children director Libbie Sonnier says pre-K education helps develop social, emotional and problem solving skills…
cut 11 (09) “….that day”
Sonnier says unfortunately 60-percent of kids in Louisiana do not meet the kindergarten school readiness benchmark.

Poverty Point in West Carroll Parish has received a one-point-eight million dollar federal grant. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says the money will be used to enhance the visitor’s experience, including a new museum and visitor center that once constructed will not able to be seen from the archeological site…
cut 8 (11) “…1500 B.C.”
Poverty Point is the state’s only World Heritage Site and attracts 100-thousand visitors.

A hearing takes place today in a Baton Rouge courtroom over a lawsuit filed by nine schools who are upset with the LHSAA’s playoff structure. Last year the LHSAA executive committee moved dozens of non-select schools to select and reduced the number of playoff brackets for football, basketball, baseball and softball. Attorney Brian Blackwell says now you have 5A schools competing against 4A schools in the playoffs…
cut 6 (12) “….1,000”
But LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the new playoff format has brought fairness and more competitive games.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state’s unemployment rate was a record low for July, three-point-five percent. That breaks the previous low for July, which was last year at three-point six percent. Economist Loren Scott says with a relatively small group of people looking for work, businesses have to get creative…
cut 14 (12) “…..now do”

Experts say early childhood education can lead to a better workforce years later. But Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Libbie Sonnier says an additional 86-million dollars is needed to make sure every at-risk child can access an early care and education program…
cut 12 (12) “…and education”
The next governor and the Legislature will have to decide where that funding will come from.

Schools that are not happy with the LHSAA changing its playoff structure last year will have their complaints addressed today in a Baton Rouge courtroom. Pierson Luscy has more…
Cut 1 (33) “….I’m Pierson Luscy.”

East Baton Rouge Public schools are closed today as bus drivers and cafeteria workers are dissatisfied with their pay. Red River schools closed today because of water issues. And Calcasieu Parish has additional law enforcement present at its schools because of several incidents of threatening behavior.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Despite a tropical storm and a 5.1 earthquake in southern California 90 minutes before kickoff, the Saints and Chargers still played their preseason game last night and New Orleans came out on top, winning 22-17. The Black and Gold scored just one touchdown and that was set up by Payton Turner’s sack of Chargers quarterback Easton Stick, who also coughed up the football. Coach Dennis Allen says the third year defensive end is finally showing off what he can do…
cut 20 (19) “…plays today”
Rookie quarterback Jake Haener also had a good performance. He was 11 of 17 for 118 yards and Niko Lalos had three sacks. The Saints final preseason game is Sunday against the Houston Texans.

It’s game week for Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs will kick off year two of the Sonny Cumbie era by hosting Florida International on Saturday in a week zero matchup. Cumbie signed 19 transfers in the offseason and likes the experience he has among his starters…
cut 17 (15) “…..tempering that”

LSU completed preseason camp with a scrimmage on Saturday. Freshman running back Kaleb Jackson had two touchdowns and cornerback Zy Alexander caused a fumble and recovered it.

A court hearing in Baton Rouge takes place today over the LHSAA’s playoff format for football, basketball, baseball and softball. A group of schools Rapides Parish and the Monroe area are upset the LHSAA executive committee reduced the number of playoff brackets and moved a bunch of schools from non-select to select. Attorney Brian Blackwell…
cut 4 (06) “…to vote”

6:30 LRN Newscast

New data from the federal government shows 407-thousand workers in Louisiana left their job during the first six months of this year, the highest number ever for the first half of a year….
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Pierson Luscy”

There is an increased outdoor fire risk today. Obviously that’s the result of the hot and dry weather, but we also have breezy conditions as a result tropical wave crossing over the Gulf of Mexico from east to west. That system will bring the state east winds at 10 to 20 miles per hour.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in West Carroll Parish is receiving a one-point-eight million dollar federal grant that will be used to fund a master plan that will include an upgraded museum, visitor center, and other amenities. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says this funding will enhance the visitors’ experience
Cut 7 (09) “…Poverty Point.”
Poverty Point is an archaeological site that features huge mounds and enormous concentric half-circles built by American Indians thousands of years ago.

A report by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children shows 60 percent of kids statewide do not meet the kindergarten school readiness benchmark. LPIC Director Libbie Sonnier says the state has made progress in expanding early care and education, but the need is still great
Cut 10 (09) “…increasing access.”
Sonnier says it will take $86 million dollars for the state to make sure every at-risk child can access an early care and education program.

LRN AM Newscall

Schools that are not happy with the LHSAA changing its playoff structure will have their day in court today. Pierson Luscy has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “….I’m Pierson Luscy.”

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Poverty Point in West Carroll Parish receives a one-point-eight million dollar federal grant. Jeff Palermo has details on how that money will be used…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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New data from the federal government shows 407-thousand workers in Louisiana left their job during the first six months of this year, the highest number ever for the first half of a year. Pierson Luscy has more…

Cut 3 (34)  “…I’m Pierson Luscy”

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The LHSAA is facing a lawsuit from nine schools, six from Rapides Parish and three from the Monroe area, and their court date is today at 9 a.m. The schools seek a preliminary injunction of the current playoff format for football, basketball, baseball and softball. Attorney Brian Blackwell represents the schools and he says they are upset over being moved from non-select to select…

Cut 4 (07) “…structure itself.”

Last year, the LHSAA executive committee moved dozens of schools from non-select to select, because they had students at their school that were from outside of the attendance zone. It resulted in several public schools playing against private schools in the postseason. Blackwell says high school principals never got a vote on the matter…

Cut 5 (12) “…playoff structure”

The idea behind changing the playoff structure was to level the playing field and bring more competitiveness to postseason play. The number of brackets were also reduced which led to some 5A schools competing against 4A schools in the playoffs. Blackwell says that’s not fair…

Cut 6 (12) “…1,000.”

________________________________________________

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in West Carroll Parish is receiving a one-point-eight million dollar federal grant that will be used to fund a master plan that will include an upgraded museum, visitor center, and other amenities. Commissioner of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says this funding will enhance the visitors’ experience

Cut 7 (09) “…Poverty Point.”

Poverty Point is an archaeological site that features huge mounds and enormous concentric half-circles built by  American Indians 34 hundred years ago. Berry says there’s technology available that can make the visitor center invisible for visitors that walk up the mounds and take a look at their surroundings…

Cut 8 (11) “…1500 B.C.”

Berry says it will take a while to execute this plan, so that’s what the grant is paying for….

Cut 9 (11)  “…itself”

Berry says once the master plan is executed it will take state dollars to build the high tech visitor center and museum. Poverty Point attracts 100-thousand visitors a year. It’s one of 26 World Heritage sites in the U-S.

____________________________________________

A report by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children shows 60 percent of kids statewide do not meet the kindergarten school readiness benchmark. LPIC Director Libbie Sonnier says the state has made progress in expanding early care and education, but the need is still great

Cut 10 (09) “…increasing access.”

Under current law, students in Louisiana are required to enroll in school by age 5 but under prior law it was by age 7.

Sonnier says early childhood education is critical because 90% of a child’s brain development is between birth and 5 years old. She says pre-K education helps develop social, emotional, and problem-solving skills. 

Cut 11 (12) “…symbol relationship.”

Louisiana spends less than half of one percent of state dollars on early care and education. 

It will take $86 million dollars for the state to make sure every at-risk child can access an early care and education program according to the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission. Sonnier says it will take a unified effort to make sure children and parents have the tools they need to succeed.

Cut 12 (12) “…and education.”

__________________________________________

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 407,000 Louisiana workers quit their jobs in the first six months of this year. A record 760,000 Louisianans left their job last year so the Bayou State is on pace to break that record. Economist Loren Scott says many Louisiana workers are leaving their job for better pay…

Cut 13 (12) “…higher wage rates.”

And according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state’s unemployment rate in July was 3.5 percent, the lowest ever for a July. Scott says with a relatively small group of people looking for work, businesses have to get creative….

Cut 14 (12) “…now do” 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics say an estimated 114-thousand workers were hired in June and 602-thousand have been hired for the year. Scott is putting together his latest economic forecast and he’s seeing wages going up….

Cut 15 (09) “…going on here.”

___________________________________________________________________

It’s game week for Louisiana Tech as they play Florida International in Ruston on Saturday night in a week zero matchup. Last season’s leading rusher for the Bulldogs, Marquis Crosby, has been ruled for the game and Miami of Ohio transfer Tyre Shelton is questionable.  Second-year coach Sonny Cumbie knows he has more talent this season, but it’s other intangibles he’s not sure about.

Cut 16 (13) “…face that.”

After going 3-9 last season, Cumbie signed 19 players out of the transfer portal. He likes the experience he has with the starting group…

Cut 17 (15) “..tempering that”

_______________________________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns are less than two weeks away from their season opener against Northwestern State on September 2nd. Coach Michael Desormeaux likes the progress they’ve made…

Cut 18 (22) “…win games.”

_____________________________________________________________________________

With most of the starters watching from the sidelines, the Saints improved to 2-0 in the preseason with a 22-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 169 yards, rookie running back Kendre Miller had a seven-yard touchdown run, and defensive end Niko Lalos was the star on defense with three sacks. Coach Dennis Allen is pleased they got the win but didn’t like the 14 penalties

Cut 19 (20) “…cleaned up”

Former first-round pick Payton Turner had one of the biggest plays of the night as he sacked Chargers quarterback Easton Stick, who also coughed up the football. The turnover resulted in New Orleans only touchdown. Allen says the third-year player is finally showing off what he can do…

Cut 20 (19) “…plays today.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center is tracking an area of disturbed weather in the Bahamas that’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico early next week. There’s a medium chance it will develop into a depression or named storm in the central or western Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the system is getting support from the extremely warm Gulf Waters, but it will also battle wind shear…
cut 11 (07) “…very much”

In Washington Parish, a 72-year-old Franklinton man was killed in a house fire on Thursday that investigators believe started from burning piles outside of the home. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the investigation into the death of the individual and what may have caused the fire continues.
Cut 15 (07) “…this instance.”
A statewide burn ban remains in effect.

New data from the federal government shows 407-thousand workers in Louisiana left their job during the first six months of this year, the highest number ever for the first half of a year. Pierson Luscy has more…
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Pierson Luscy”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s unemployment rate in July was three-point-five percent, that’s the lowest the unemployment rate has ever been for the month of July. Edwards says the bipartisan work to grow and diversify the economy and create jobs is paying off.