6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is giving up a bunch of yards this season, but in last Saturday’s win against Missouri they intercepted a couple of passes and there was also a huge strip sack towards the end of the game. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly hopes to see more of that Saturday night against Auburn…
Cut 18 (23) “…some confidence.”
Kick off on Saturday is at 6 PM.

Tomorrow’s Nicholls-Northwestern State game has been canceled as the Demons are mourning the death of one of their football players. Safety Ronnie Caldwell was shot multiple times and at an apartment complex near campus. His killer is on the run.

The Saints will be in Houston on Sunday to take on the Texans. In five games, New Orleans has scored just seven touchdowns. Quarterback Derek Carr believes the offense took steps in the right direction last week, it will need to continue on Sunday against a tough Texans defense…
cut 17 (16) “…..in that building”
Saints offensive starters Chris Olave and James Hurst were limited in practice on Wednesday by injuries but they were full participants yesterday.

Former Saints Coach Sean Payton is off to a 1-and-5 start in Denver as the Broncos lost again to the Chiefs 19-8 last night. Payton is not completely in the dumps….
cut 28 (05) “…don’t get discouraged”

6:30 LRN Newscast

The gubernatorial primary election is Saturday. John Tobler with the Secretary of State says voters can use the GeauxVote app or go to geaux-vote-dot-com to find important information before heading to the polls.
cut 4 (10) “…locations are.”

Will election day produce any surprises? Colleen Crane spoke with a political observer…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crane.”

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has given up on his bid to be the next House Speaker. The votes were not there for Scalise to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy.

The Louisiana Pardon Board will review the cases of five death row inmates today who are seeking clemency before Governor Edwards leaves office. One of the inmates seeking a life sentence instead of a death sentence is former New Orleans Police Officer Antoinette Frank, the lone female on death row.

An annuluar solar eclipse will take place tomorrow. For Louisiana, about 75-percent of the sun will be covered up by the moon from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. You should use specialized glasses to view the eclipse and if you don’t have any…astronomer Doctor Cran Lucas says build a pinhole camera…
cut 12 (11) “…on the paper”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Saturday’s Northwestern State-Nicholls game has been canceled because a Demons player was fatally shot during the overnight hours. Safety Ronald Caldwell was killed and police in Natchitoches are still searching for the gunman. Caldwell was injured and had not appeared in a game this year. He made ten starts last season.

LSU now has sophomore Harold Perkins playing as a strongside linebacker that calls for him to play as a nickel back in passing situations. LSU defensive back Sage Ryan is impressed with Perkins’ versatility…
cut 20 (20) “…draft stock”
LSU hosts Auburn on Saturday night at 6 PM.

The Saints are having trouble getting their ground game going. They average just 97 yards a game on the ground. But running back Alvin Kamara believes its just a matter of time….
cut 30 (21) “…big ones come”
The Saints showed progress last week as they rushed for 136 yards against the Patriots. This Sunday, New Orleans will be at Houston. The Texans are allowing just four yards a carry.

The Pelicans play the Rockets in Birmingham tonight. The starters are expected to play about 20 minutes.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball has been picked to finish fourth in Conference USA behind preseason favorite Liberty, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Bulldogs Isaiah Crawford has been named the league’s preseason player of the year.

LRN PM Newscall October 12

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves describes the scene as the U-S House attempts to elect a new speaker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Louisiana’s average ACT composite score has increased for the first time in seven years. Teiko Foxx has more.

Cut 2 (31)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx”  

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Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has received the House GOP nomination to be the next Speaker of the House, but it’s far from a done deal the full U-S House will elect him. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there are conservatives who are not backing Scalise…

Cut 3 (12) “…Steve Scalise”

217 votes are needed to be elected speaker of the House, but because Republicans have a slim majority over Democrats, Scalise needs near-unanimous support from the GOP. Graves says it may take time before Scalise gets the support he needs from fellow Republicans…

Cut 4 (09) “…way to go”

Graves says some Republicans are backing Ohio’s Jim Jordan, others are upset Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House. He says others have drawn a line in the sand and will not back Scalise

Cut 5 (11) “ …moderate Republican”  

Until a speaker is elected, the House can not perform any official duties.

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A Northwestern State football player was found dead during the overnight hours with several gunshot wounds at an apartment complex on University Parkway. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says 21-year-old Ronald Caldwell’s body was found between two buildings at the complex where he lived…

Cut 6 (08) “…Mr. Caldwell.”

Greely says Caldwell died at the scene. This Saturday’s game between Northwestern State and Nicholls has been canceled.

Police received a call around 1 a.m. this morning of several gunshots in the area. The Junior Safety from Texas lived at the complex and investigators are interviewing his roommates and others. Anyone with information is urged to call Natchitoches Crimestoppers.

Cut 7 (07) “…for an arrest.” 

Caldwell had not played any games this season after a preseason injury. He started ten games last year and was a member of the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

The native of Manor, Texas was also honored as Northwestern’s Student-Athlete of the Month this month.

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Louisiana 2023 high school class ACT scores increased for the first time since 2016. The state’s average composite score of 18 point two was up from 18 point one last year. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s encouraging to see the academic improvement

Cut 8 (11) “…the improvement.”

Nearly 32 percent of Louisiana’s students hit the reading benchmark, up from 31 percent last year. Twenty-two percent met the science benchmark, up from 21% the previous year. Brumley says the Louisiana Department of Education will work with schools to make sure students are ready for the ACT

Cut 9 (12) “…additional support.” 

Louisiana’s students also showed a slight improvement in English. Brumley says more work needs to be done…

Cut 10 (13) “…our state.”

Louisiana is one of nine states that saw an increase in average composite scores, but the state’s  composite score is among the lowest in the nation, with only six states recording lower average scores.

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After an unusual summer, with more than the average number of wildfires in Louisiana, the recent rains are a welcome relief. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the average number of wildfires is decreasing daily.

Cut 11 (12) “…the state.”

But Strain urges residents because some areas are the state are still dry to abide by their local burn ban.

Cut 12 (08) “…parish government.”  

Agricultural burning, however, Strain says is permitted…

Cut 13 (08) “…moving forward.”

Louisiana has spent 33-million dollars in fighting wildfires this year.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s average ACT composite score has increased for the first time in seven years. Teiko Foxx has more.
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx”

Good news in the battle against saltwater intrusion impacting drinking water systems in southeast Louisiana. The U-S Army Corps of Engineers released an updated forecast today and the saltwater wedge is no longer expected to reach Orleans or Jefferson Parishes. An underwater levee constructed by the Corps is helping to hold back the salt water.

During the overnight hours, a member of the Northwestern State football team was shot several times on University Parkway and pronounced dead by the coroner’s office. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says anyone who has information on the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ronald Caldwell is urged to call Natchitoches Crimestoppers…
cut 7 (07) “…for an arrest”
Caldwell was injured and did not play in a game this year after starting 10 games last year.

Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says despite the rain the state got this week, wildfires continue to burn, but it is becoming less of a problem. Strain says the current burn ban will remain in place, but parishes can opt out…
cut 12 (08) “…parish government”
Agricultural burning is allowed except for the burning of standing sugar cane.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has received the House GOP’s nomination to be Speaker of the House, but a vote on the House floor to elect Scalise as the Speaker remains on hold. Scalise needs 217 votes from fellow Representatives in order to win…
Cut 13 (10) “… work to do.”
Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says some Republicans are backing Ohio’s Jim Jordan, others are upset Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House. He says some have drawn a line in the sand and will not back Scalise…
cut 5 (11) “…moderate Republican”
Until a speaker is elected, the House can not perform any official duties.

During the overnight hours, a member of the Northwestern State football team was shot several times on University Parkway and pronounced dead by the coroner’s office. Natchitoches Police Corporal John Greely says anyone who has information on the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ronald Caldwell are urged to call Natchitoches Crimestoppers…
cut 7 (07) “…for an arrest”
Caldwell was injured and did not play in a game this year after starting 10 games last year.

The Louisiana State Police announces the state agency has undergone numerous top to bottom changes after the department came under fire for several excessive force incidents involving black men. The Bowman Group was hired to help identify changes and Ashley Burns says that includes use of force policies…
cut 11 (10) “…deadly force authorized”
Officers also have to carry less than lethal weapons.

8:30 LRN Newscast

A police practices expert agency, the Bowman Group, has helped State Police make several policy changes to make sure interactions with the public are safe and do no lead to unnecessary force. The FBI has investigated several cases of troopers’ beating black men during traffic stops. Ashley Burns from the Bowman Group says one of the new policies allows an easy way for the public to report a case of excessive force
Cut 12 (10) “..underway.”

The US House is scheduled to convene at 11 AM central time. Are the votes there to elect Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise as the next Speaker of the House? Some Conservatives who still not ready to support Scalise. Scalise believes he should be the next speaker and is telling colleagues it’s time to get back to work…
cut 14 (11) “….take care of”

At least 22 Americans are among those killed in the attacks on Israel. Barry Weinstein, Rabbi for Temple Sinai in Lake Charles has family living in Israel…
Cut 7 (09) “…from Gaza.”
Former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner and Secretary of State Jim Brown was in Israel before the attack on a personal religious journey, but had a premonition to come home early.

A school specifically designed to help young autistic students learn will begin taking applications next month after receiving approval from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The school is called Academy of Collaborative Education and will serve K-through-5th graders. Maddie Cannon is a co-founder of ACE and a parent of an autistic child…
cut 5 (11) “…hopes for”
The school is scheduled to begin classes next July.

7:30 LRN Newscast

State Police says the reforms its implementing as a result of the Ronald Greene case are transformational. LSP attempted to cover-up details of Greene’s death, who was beaten by troopers before he died. Colonel Lamar Davis says body camera video policies were among the first changes…
Cut 10 (11) “…when on duty.”
State Police hired the Bowman Group consulting firm to help them identify policies and procedures that needed to be changed.

Louisianans with a strong connection to Israel are deeply concerned by the attack by Hamas militants that’s resulted in more than 12-hundred deaths. Barry Weinstein, Rabbi for Temple Sinai in Lake Charles says the enemies of Israel do not recognize the United Nations 1948 resolution creating the two states of Israel and Palestine…
cut 8 (10) “…sovereign nation”

Louisiana’s average ACT score has increased for the first time since 2016. According to ACT data, Louisiana’s class of 2023 had an average composite score of 18.2, a slight increase from the previous class. Louisiana is one of nine states that saw an increase in average composite scores.

A new public charter school, The Academy of Collaborative Education, that will serve kindergarten through fifth-grade autistic students has been approved by BESE. Teiko Foxx has more
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU has made several changes to a defense that ranks 121st in the country. Last week we saw Sage Ryan get the start at cornerback. The former five-star safety out of Lafayette Christian says he’s getting up to speed at cornerback by going up against in practice two of the best receivers in college football, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Junior…
cut 19 (19) “…..in the nation”

Former LSU star and Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola allowed two runs over 5.2 innings as the Phillies beat Atlanta 10 to 2 to take a two games to one lead in the N-L-D-S.

And the Astros are heading to the American League Championship Series for a seventh consecutive season after topping the Twins three to two. The A-L-C-S will between Houston and Texas will begin Sunday in Space City.

The Saints will head to Houston this weekend to take on the Texans on Sunday. Houston rookie quarterback CJ Stroud has played well and has yet to throw an interception. New Orleans Coach Dennis Allen is impressed with the rookie…
Cut 16 (19) “…on the move.”
Saints quarterback Derek Carr was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, a sign he’s over the sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Offensive guard Andrus Peat was also a full participant after missing last Sunday’s game with a concussion. But Chris Olave and Cameron Jordan were limited at practice because of injuries. Olave has a toe injury, and Jordan’s back is bothering him.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana State Police announces the state agency has undergone numerous top to bottom changes after the department came under fire for several excessive force incidents involving black men. The Bowman Group was hired to help identify changes and Ashley Burns says that includes use of force policies…
cut 11 (10) “…deadly force authorized”
Officers also have to carry less than lethal weapons.

Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise has received the House GOP’s nomination to be Speaker of the House, but a vote on the House floor to elect Scalise as the Speaker remains on hold. The Jefferson Republican does not have the 217 votes needed to win the Speakership…
Cut 13 (10) “… work to do.”
The House is scheduled to convene again at 11 AM this morning central time. He needs a near

The attacks on Israel has Americans deeply concerned. Colleen Crain has more…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”