4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is the SEC opener for the second ranked LSU baseball team as they begin the 30-game conference schedule grind in Starkville against Mississippi State. Tiger pitching leads the nation in strikeouts, but LSU has yet to hit its stride at the plate. They are sixth in the SEC in hitting with a team average of .304. Coach Jay Johnson knew there would be a drop off at the plate after losing Golden Spikes Award winner Dylan Crews…
cut 17 (21) “…to me”
In other action tonight….The Ragin Cajuns are at Arkansas State to begin Sun Belt play. ULM hosts Troy and a scuffling Louisiana Tech team will host Northwestern State for three games at J-C Love Field.

The Saints have signed a couple of wide receivers. Cedric Wilson joins the Black and Gold after spending the last two seasons in Miami. He caught 22 passes last year and had three touchdowns. The Saints have also announced the signing of Stanley Morgan, who is a New Orleans native and a St. Aug alum. He was a special teams standout with the Bengals.

Newly signed linebacker Willie Gay is excited to play with starting linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner…
cut 20 (10) “…for sure”

The McNeese State fanbase is excited to see where the men’s basketball team will play in the NCAA Tournament. Jim Gazzolo with the American Press newspaper in Lake Charles says they’ll likely be a 12 or 13 seed. He says Coach Will Wade doesn’t care what the seed is…
cut 16 (04) “…seeded”
The selection show is Sunday at 5 PM.

LRN PM Newscall March 15

Louisiana National Guardsmen participating in Operation Lone Star have arrived in Texas. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The McNeese State fanbase is excited to see where the men’s basketball team will play in the NCAA Tournament. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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Many times after a car crash, debris is left behind, adding to the state’s litter problem. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has asked State Police, police chiefs and sheriffs to make sure vehicle bumpers, glass, tire fragments and personal belongings are picked up after the vehicles are towed away. He says it will make our roadways cleaner and safer…

Cut 3 (08) “…adds to the litter”  

A litter study by Keep Louisiana Beautiful found nearly 10 percent of all litter on Louisiana’s roadways consists of car accident debris.

Nungesser says the cleanup of debris from car accidents falls on wrecker services. And he’s working with law enforcement to make sure tow trucks do their job.

Cut 4 (12) “…job properly” 

The goal is to remove all debris left on roadways from accidents to make Louisiana roadways safer. Nungesser says sometimes that debris ends up on the road in a travel lane.

Cut 5 (08)  “…miss it.”

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Louisiana National Guardsmen participating in Operation Lone Star have arrived in Texas. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col Noel (No-elle) Collins says fifty soldiers begin their first of three 30-day rotations today at the southern border.

Cut 6  (10) “…operation.” 

As part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Governor Jeff Landry signed off on sending Louisiana guardsmen at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Collins anticipates the soldiers will be assisting with patrols to prevent, detect, and deter illegal crossings.

Cut 7 (12) “…Texas border.”  

Collins says the soldiers that are in Texas for the first rotation are part of the 2nd of the 108th Cavalry Regiment out of Shreveport. She says they are properly trained and equipped to assist with Operation Lone Star.

Cut 8 (08) “…of Texas.” 

The mission is scheduled to wrap in mid-June.

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Former LSU basketball player and Ukrainian, Roman Rubchenko, is in Louisiana to raise awareness of the humanitarian aid needed due to the Russian invasion. Rubchenko says before coming to Louisiana, he tried to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson…

Cut 9 (12) “…come through.” 

House Speaker Mike Johnson opposes a $95 billion foreign security aid bill passed by the Senate, but the Republican from Bossier Parish has told the Politco he’s interested in approving a stand alone funding bill for Ukraine, despite objections from his own party. Rubchenko is pleading with Congress to provide this aid…

Cut 10 (13) “…was introduced” “

The six-foot-nine Rubchenko played at LSU from 1992 to 1996. He was living in Kyiv in 2022 when Russia began its attack on Ukraine. Thousands have been killed on both sides, including more than 10-thousand civilians since the Russia strikes started. Rubchenko says the urgency is high because Ukraine is running low on ammunition…

Cut 11 (11) “…attack items”

Rubchenko made these comments on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

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The LSU Lady Tigers will find out Sunday night who they will play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The defending national champs won ten in a row before losing to South Carolina last Sunday. ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme predicts LSU will be a two seed…

Cut 12 (12)  “…Mississippi State.”

LSU will host the first two rounds of the tournament and their first game will be either Friday or Saturday.

The Lady Tigers are 28-and-5 and two of their losses came against top ranked South Carolina. Creme says a third meeting with the Gamecocks will have to wait until the Final Four in Cleveland…

Cut 13 (11) “…Final Four”  

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Show is at 7 PM.

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The McNeese men’s basketball team is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 and the Lake Charles community is crazy about the Bayou Bandits.  Jim Gazzolo covers the team for the American Press and says it didn’t take for first year head coach Will Wade to win over the fanbase…

Cut  14 (11) “..amazing thing”

The Cowboys are 30-3 and Gazzolo says they’ll have a decent seed despite coming from a conference that will only have one team in the Big Dance…

Cut 15 (09) “…Pittsburgh”

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is at 5 PM.

12:30 LRN Newscast

50 Louisiana National Guard soldiers have arrived in Texas to help with border security. Governor Jeff Landry sent guardsmen at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Louisiana National Guard Lt. Colonel Noel Collins anticipates the soldiers will help prevent, detect, and deter illegal crossings.
Cut 7 (12) “…Texas border.”
After 30 days, another group of 50 Louisiana National Guardsmen will take over.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says ha has spoken with law enforcement agencies about making sure tow trucks clear the debris from the side of roads following car crashes. Nungesser says sometimes that debris ends up on the road
Cut 5 (08) “…miss it.
A litter study by Keep Louisiana Beautiful found nearly 10 percent of all litter on Louisiana’s roadways consists of car accident debris.

Former LSU basketball player and Ukrainian, Roman Rubchenko, is in Louisiana to raise awareness of the humanitarian aid needed due to the Russian invasion. Rubchenko says before coming to Louisiana, he tried to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson…
Cut 9 (12) “…come through.”
Speaker Johnson opposes a $95 billion foreign security aid bill passed by the Senate, but the Republican from Bossier Parish has told the Politco he’s interested in approving a stand alone funding bill for Ukraine, despite objections from his own party.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana National Guardsmen participating in Operation Lone Star have arrived in Texas. LANG spokesperson Lt. Col Noel (No-elle) Collins says fifty soldiers begin their first of three 30-day rotations today at the southern border.
Cut 6 (10) “…operation.”
Governor Jeff Landry signed off on sending Louisiana guardsmen at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

LSU is moving forward with plans to build a new arena to replace the PMAC. A vote this week by the East Baton Rouge Metro Council guarantees that this new arena will not have to compete with the River Center for big entertainment acts. LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says developers would pay for the construction of a new facility. He says other universities have done similar public-private partnerships to build new arenas…
cut 26 (09) “…Baton Rouge”

It’s raining in northeast Louisiana and a strong line of storms is moving through the central part of the state. We’re seeing heavy rainfall with these storms. More heavy rain is expected on Sunday. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says rain chances are not as a high on Saturday….
cut 15 (12) “…on Sunday”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wants to make sure debris is picked up from the side of the roads after vehicles involved in a crash are towed away. Nungesser says the cleanup of debris from car accidents falls on wrecker services. And he’s working with law enforcement to make sure tow trucks do their job.
Cut 4 (12) “…job properly”
A litter study by Keep Louisiana Beautiful found nearly 10 percent of all litter on Louisiana’s roadways consists of car accident debris.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Plans to build a new sports and entertainment arena on LSU’s campus can move forward after the East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved an ordinance that will limit live music events to no more than 3,500 attendees at the River Center. LSU Chief Brand Officer Cody Worsham says they needed a commitment that if a new arena was constructed on LSU’s campus, it would not have to compete with the River Center for major concert events….
cut 4 (10) “….for LSU”
Worsham says there are developers interested in building the 350 to 400 million dollar entertainment and sports arena that would replace the PMAC.

A strong line of storms and heavy rainfall is moving over north Louisiana this morning. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 13 (06) “…southern half of the state”
There’s also a marginal risk for severe weather, large hail and damaging winds are possible.

The state’s tenth medical marijuana pharmacy has opened its doors in Kenner. Crescent City Therapeutics owner Lovie Rodgers says they offer drive-thru services….
cut 8 (06) “….your day”
In order to buy medical marijuana in Louisiana, you need a recommendation from a licensed doctor.

Crawfish prices keep falling. Laney King is the co-founder of the Crawfish App….
cut 12 (08) “…for a sack”
King says consumers can expect to pay an average of $6.99 a pound for crawfish already boiled.

While crawfish prices are falling, gas prices are rising. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased seven cents in the last week to $3.10. That’s up 17-cents from a month ago.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A vote by the East Baton Rouge Metro Council to limit live music events at the River Center to no more than 35-hundred attendees over the next 30 years means LSU can move forward with plans to build a new sports and entertainment arena on its campus. LSU’s Cody Worsham says taxpayer dollars or the Tiger Athletic Foundation will not pay for this facility. He says developers would pay for construction….
cut 5 (13) “….entertainment acts”
Worsham says blueprints could come out this summer.

A new medical marijuana pharmacy has opened in Jefferson Parish. Crescent City Therapeutics Owner Lovie Rodgers says the Kenner pharmacy will serve the state’s second most populated parish.
Cut 7 (10) “…Grand Isle.”
Rodgers says they offer free delivery for the greater New Orleans area.

Crawfish prices have dropped another a dollar a pound this week. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says consumers can expect to pay an average of $6.99 a pound as prices have been dropping since the start of March…
cut 11 (12) “…the supply”
King says if you’re looking for a sack of crawfish, it should cost you around 150-dollars.

If you have outdoor plans this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, be prepared to dodge rain drops. Some strong storms have been moving through north Louisiana this morning and heavy rainfall is in the forecast for south Louisiana today and Sunday. LSU climatologist Barry Keim says a severe storm is possible too…
cut 14 (10) “…weekend

7:30 LRN Newscast

The USA Today Network is reporting a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone is coming to Richland Parish. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says it will attract new industry and jobs to produce renewable biofuel to power combustion engines. There’s enough woody biomass in the area to support at least one major refinery and other bio-based projects.

The passage of an ordinance by the East Baton Rouge Metro Council that limits live music events at River Center, means plans for a new arena on LSU’s campus can move forward…
cut 1 (33) “….I’m Collen Crain”

It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and a lucky one for mudbug fans as we’ve seen another dollar drop in the average price for a pound of crawfish. Crawfish App co-founder Laney King says consumers can expect to pay an average of $6.99 a pound for boiled crawfish this weekend.
Cut 10 (11) “…some are lower.”
King says you can find live crawfish for as low as $3.75 a pound on The Crawfish App.

We’re seeing strong storms across north Louisiana this morning and heavy rainfall is also possible today and Sunday across south Louisiana. But LSU climatologist Barry Keim says Saturday does not look like a complete washout…
cut 15 (12) “….on Sunday”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The second-ranked LSU baseball team begins SEC play tonight as they visit the Mississippi State Bulldogs for a three-game set in Starkville. The Tigers are 16-and-2 and the strength has been their starting pitching. LSU’s pitching staff has compiled 234 strikeouts and that leads the nation. Coach Jay Johnson expects his guys to keep throwing strikes
`Cut 16 (16) “…that’s awesome.”
The Bulldogs are 13-and-5 and first pitch is at 6 PM.

Sun Belt play also gets underway this weekend, the Cajuns are at Arkansas State and ULM hosts Troy. The Trojans are 12 and 6, while the Warhawks are 11-and-6. Also this weekend, Northwestern State is at La Tech.

Plans are moving forward for a new arena on LSU’s campus to replace the PMAC. Colleen Crain has more….
cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

Worsham adds we could see some designs made public in the summer.

The Saints are reportedly signing Nathan Peterman to be a backup quarterback. New Orleans has also reportedly agreed to a contract with free agent wide receiver Cedric Wilson Junior. Wilson has spent five seasons in the NFL and caught 22 passes for the Dolphins last year.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Murder charges have been dropped against an 11-year-old girl from New Iberia. The girl has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the shooting death of Kameron Bedsole who died after he was shot in the head in November. Prosecutors say it was the 11-year-old girl’s brother who killed Bedsole, but the girl obstructed in the investigation. Judge Roger Hamilton handed down a seven-year sentence against the child, with three and a half years suspended.

A new medical marijuana pharmacy has opened in the state. It’s located in Kenner, the second one for Jefferson Parish. Crescent City Therapeutics owner Lovie Rodgers says they will provide their customers with a personalized experience…
cut 9 (12) “….their experience”
Crescent City Therapeutics gives the state ten medical marijuana pharmacies. Rodgers is the first Black Woman to have ownership stake.

The average price for a pound of crawfish has dropped another dollar this week. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you are planning on boiling crawfish or doing any outdoor activity this weekend, heavy rainfall is in the forecast for today and Sunday. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 13 (06) “…southern half of the state”
There’s also a marginal risk for severe weather, large hail and damaging winds are possible.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The McNeese Cowboys are headed to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament after winning the Southland Tourney by beating Nicholls. Shahada Wells earned most valuable player honors for the tournament as he had 27 points and six assists in the win over the Colonels. Wells is excited to lead McNeese to its third ever NCAA Tournament appearance
Cut 5 (08) “…make a run.”
The Bayou Bandits will learn of their NCAA Tournament destination on Selection Sunday at 5 PM.

LSU’s stay in the SEC Tournament is a short one as they lost to Mississippi State 70-60. The Tigers led by seven at halftime but LSU shot just 31-percent from the field in the second half and were out rebounded 24-to-12. Hunter Dean had 10 points…
cut 28 (09) “…raised their level”
LSU is 17-15 and they’ll wait to see if they a receive a berth in the NIT.

The second ranked LSU baseball team will begin SEC play tomorrow night with a three-game series at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 13-5. State has only hit 15 home runs, but nine of those blasts have come Dakota Jordan, who is the reigning SEC Co-Player of the Week. Coach Jay Johnson says they’ll have to be careful with him…
cut 18 (18) “…good test”

The Ragin Cajuns will begin Sun Belt play at Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette defeated Louisiana Tech nine to five last night. The Bulldogs have lost five of their last six. They will host Northwestern State at J-C Love Field this weekend.

The Tech men’s basketball team was eliminated last night in the Conference Tournament, but the Lady Techsters advanced to the semi finals after beating Jacksonville State 60-54.