8:30 LRN Newscast

State Farm customers who have auto insurance will see a rate increase. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the on average 17-percent rate increase is being driven by inflation, the cost of labor for auto repairs, and spiraling increases in the cost of parts and equipment for damaged vehicles. 29-percent of Louisiana drivers are insured by State Farm.

Students who received reduced price meals at school are now able to have them for free. Brooke Thorington explains…
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A brutally hot week is coming up for Louisiana as triple-digit highs are predicted across the state for the entire week. State Climatologist Barry Keim urges everyone not to spend a lot of time outdoors when the heat index is 110 and above…
cut 8 (110 “…..of yourself”

Some great coaches and athletes will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches tonight. The 2023 class includes Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, Wendell Davis and Matt Forte. Women’s basketball great Alana Beard is also part of the class. She had a great career in the WNBA and at Duke. But Beard says it all started at Southwood High School in Shreveport and playing for legendary coach Steve McDowell…
cut 14 (12) “….my life”
Louisiana Public Broadcasting will livestream Saturday night’s induction ceremonies.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

Tough news to hear about Saints Guard Trai Turner. The former LSU and St. Aug star is reportedly done for the season after tearing his quadriceps at practice yesterday. The 30-year-old was expected to provide depth at the guard position. He just signed with the team on Tuesday.

Also signing on Tuesday was 36-year-old tight end Jimmy Graham. It’s unkown if Graham will make the team, but according to fellow tight end Juwan Johnson, Graham has already made an impact….
cut 19 (29) “…to us”
And the Saints have signed long snapper Zach Wood to a four-year contract extension.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Tayler says quarterback Joe Burrow will likely miss several weeks after suffering a right calf strain during practice on Thursday. It’s unclear if Burrow will return in time for the regular season opener on September 10th against Cleveland.

Tonight, the 2023 class gets inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Eli Manning arrived in Natchitoches yesterday for the festivities. Joining the two-time Super Bowl champion Q-B is Paul Mainieri, Alana Beard, Paul Byrd, Wendell Davis, Walter Davis and few others. Former Tulane running back Matt Forte is also part of the class. The Slidell High graduate rushed for nearly 10-thousand yards and caught over 500 passes in the NFL…
cut 13 (12) “…..I had”
Louisiana Public Broadcasting will stream tonight’s induction ceremonies at 7 PM.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Three days into Saints training camp and a recently signed player is reportedly done for the season. ESPN is reporting five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Tuner tore his quadriceps at practice today. The former LSU star and St. Aug standout just signed with the team this week.

The Saints announced today they’ve resigned long snapper Zach Wood to a four year contract extension. Wood has been very consistent over the last six years as the Black and Gold’s long snapper.

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave had a great rookie season and the hope is that he can improve on the 72 receptions and 1,042 yards receiving he had last year. Olave says he got stronger in the offseason and he’s ready to contribute to what he thinks will be an explosive offense…
cut 16 (17) “…ready to explode”

Louisiana Tech has started preseason camp, because they play their first game a week earlier than most schools. The Bulldogs kick off the 2023 season by hosting FIU on August 26th. During the middle of the season, Tech will play a string of games not on Saturday. It starts Friday, September 29th at UTEP, the following week it’s Thursday at home against Western Kentucky and then back-to-back Tuesday games against Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State. Coach Sonny Cumbie is looking forward to the unique schedule…
Cut 19 (19) “…national TV.”

Some great coaches and athletes will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night during a ceremony in Natchitoches. The 2023 class includes Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, Wendell Davis and women’s basketball great Alana Beard.

LRN PM Newscall July 28

If you thought this past week was hot, weather officials say next week’s temperatures will be stunningly awful. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx” 

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Students who received reduced prices meals at school in Louisiana are now able to have them for free. Brooke Thorington explains…

Cut 2 (31)  “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The MegaMillions Multistate Lottery Jackpot is approaching $1 billion dollars, that’s a billion with a “B.” The $910 million prize is one of the largest in U.S. lottery history. Dustin Annison with the Louisiana Lottery says tonight’s jackpot has a cash value of $464.2 million.

Cut 3 (06) “…US history.” 

Annison says sales in Louisiana through this MegaMillions Jackpot run that began on April 19th are more than $12.9 million.

Cut 4 (07)  “…like this.” 

To be eligible for tonight’s drawing you must purchase your ticket by 9 PM. And if you don’t have all the winning numbers on your ticket Annison says don’t toss it aside too quickly…

Cut 5 (12)  “…to be won.”

You can check your ticket on the Louisiana Lottery App on your smartphone or take it to one of the vendors and have it reviewed there also.

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Temperatures are expected to reach triple digits once again baking the Bayou State starting this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s no true insight into the dome of high pressure that has parked itself over the south.

Cut 6 (10)  “… unusual setup.” 

Dangerous heat with peak index values of 102-104 degrees is forecasted for Shreveport and Monroe. Keim says the state will see oppressive heat indices…

Cut 7 (10)  “…at times.” 

This stretch of hot weather will continue well into next week across the state. Keim urges everyone not to spend a lot of time outdoors when the heat index hits dangerous triple digits.

Cut 8 (11)  “…of yourself.” 

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Louisiana students who received reduced-price lunches and breakfast will be able to get those meals at no cost now thanks to Marrero Representative Kyle Green’s legislation. Green says because Louisiana is such an impoverished state there’s a great need to also provide meals to these 7,000 students.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the classroom.”

Providing additional free meals will cost the state about $859,000. Green says it’s an investment in the education of students because you can’t learn on an empty stomach. He says another benefit of the bill is to end the practice of lunch shaming in schools.

Cut 10 (12)  “…of substance.”

Green, who’s running for re-election, says this is just the beginning. He plans to introduce legislation in the future to expand the program to include all students.

Cut 11 (06)  “…well spent.”

Green credits the Louisiana Budget Project for helping him get the legislation across the finish line this legislative session.

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Former LSU Baseball Coach Paul Mainieri will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame tomorrow night during a ceremony in Natchitoches. Mainieri coached at LSU for 15 seasons and won four SEC regular season titles and six SEC Tournament championships. He led the Tigers to a national title in 2009…

Cut 12 (09) “…talent” 

Mainieri and two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning highlight the 2023 induction class, which also includes former LSU wide receiver Wendell Davis and former Tulane star Matt Forte (For-tay). Forte was a consistent running back in the NFL, rushing for nearly 10-thousand yards and caught over 500 passes…

Cut 13 (12) “…I had.”

Also going into the Hall is women’s basketball great Alana Beard. She scored over 26-hundred points at Duke and won a W-N-B-A Championship with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. But she says it all started at Southwood High School in Shreveport and playing for legendary coach Steve McDowell….

Cut  14 (12)  “…my life.”

Louisiana Public Broadcasting will livestream Saturday night’s induction ceremonies.

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2:30 LRN Newscast

More criticism from Lake Charles officials over the state department of transportation’s proposal to use toll money to pay for a proposed two-point-one billion dollar I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver believes the project is too elaborate and so is the price tag…
cut 30 (10) “…years now”
Tarver says it’s a tough predicament, because he says a bridge is badly needed.

Students who received reduced price lunches and breakfast will get those meals for free this school year as a result of legislation sponsored by Marrero Representative Kyle Green…
cut 11 (06) “….well spent”
Green is running for re-election and would like to expand the program to include all students.

Its another day with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and starting Sunday we could see triple digit readings. State Climatologist Barry Keim urges everyone not to spend a lot of time outdoors…
cut 8 (11) “…of yourself”

Some great coaches and athletes will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night during a ceremony in Natchitoches. The 2023 class includes Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, Wendell Davis and Matt Forte. Women’s basketball great Alana Beard is also part of the class. She had a great career in the WNBA and at Duke. But Beard says it all started at Southwood High School in Shreveport and playing for legendary coach Steve McDowell…
cut 14 (12) “….my life”
Louisiana Public Broadcasting will livestream Saturday night’s induction ceremonies.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

After catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards last season, Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is looking to improve on those numbers in his second season in the NFL. Olvae would certainly benefit if fellow receiver Michael Thomas can stay healthy. Both are from Ohio State and Olave talked about their relationship…
cut 17 (17) “…a lot”

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson continues to work the transfer portal. His latest find is Alabama right-hander Luke Holman. He was the Crimson Tide’s Friday night starter last season and went 7-and-4 with 3.67 ERA. Hollman is on the USA Collegiate National Team and has two years of college baseball eligibility remaining.

Preseason camp has started for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs first game is August 26th against FIU. Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier is expected to get the starter at quarterback and Coach Sonny Cumbie likes how Bachmeier is picking up the air raid offense…
cut 18 (16) “…learning mode”

Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri, Wendell Davis, Matt Forte and Alana Beard along with a few others will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday in Natchitoches. Also going in is 86-year-old Walter Imahara, a decadeslong weightlifting champion. Ronnie Rantz with the Sports Hall of Fame says Imahara has a great story…
cut 15 (13) “late 50s”

8:30 LRN Newscast

News that the proposed new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge will require a toll hasn’t set well with many including Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver. The Republican says funding for the bridge can be prioritized to avoid the use of tolls…
Cut 10 (13) “…with people.”
Tarver says they’ll ask the Senate and House Transportation Committee not to approve the plan to use tolls to help fund construction of the two-point-one billion dollar bridge.

Starting August 1st, operating rooms must have equipment that can quickly get smoke out of the room. Surgical smoke as its called can happen when flesh is burned during a procedure. Director of the State Nurses Association Ahnyel Burkes says it will happen during a C-Section…
cut 6 (05) “…..being used”

The National Retail Federation is predicting record spending for back-to-school items. Michelle Southern has the story…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

An Opelousas man has received a 26-month sentence after attempting to use a fake 20-dollar bill at a local donut shop last August. 33-year-old Gabriel Bates pleased guilty in a federal courtroom to counterfeiting. Secret Service agents also found numerous fake 20 and 100 dollar bills at his home.

7:30 LRN Newscast

More criticism from Lake Charles officials over the state department of transportation’s proposal to use toll money to pay for a proposed two-point-one billion dollar I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver believes the project is too elaborate and so is the price tag…
cut 12 (10) “…years now”

Louisiana is the 12th state to enact surgical smoke evacuation legislation. Director of the State Nurses Association Ahnyel Burkes says smoke can form when skin is burned during surgical procedures…
cut 5 (10) “….is harmful”
The new law requires operating rooms to have equipment to get the smoke out of the room.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame class of 2023 will be inducted this weekend in Natchitoches. Hall of Fame Foundation President Ronnie Rantz gave Kace Kieschnick a rundown…
cut 3 (33) “…I”m Kace KIeschnick”

One of the top pitchers in the Southeastern Conference is transferring to LSU. Alabama’s Luke Holman is heading to Baton Rouge after going 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA and 87 strikeouts.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave had a great rookie season and the hope is that he can improve on the 72 receptions and 1,042 yards receiving he had last year. Olave says he got stronger in the offseason and he’s ready to contribute to what he thinks will be an explosive offense…
cut 16 (17) “…ready to explode”

Bengals fans had to be freaking out yesterday after video showed Pro Bowl QB Joe Burrow being carted off the field after injuring his calf while scrambling out of the pocket. ESPN is reporting Burrow has a calf strain.

Alabama ace pitcher Luke Holman has announced he will transfer to LSU. The junior right-hander was 7-4 with a 3.67 ERA last season. Holman also struck out 87 in 81 innings.

Preseason camp has started for Louisiana Tech as the Bulldogs first game is August 26th against FIU. Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier is expected to get the start at quarterback and Coach Sonny Cumbie likes how Bachmeier is picking up the offense…
cut 18 (16) “…learning mode”

Saturday night is the induction ceremonies for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches. Shreveport native and former LSU star Wendell Davis is among the athletes who will be inducted. Hall of Fame Foundation President Ronnie Rantz says for a receiver Davis put up big numbers in the 1980s and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 1987….
cut 14 (10) “…of the Bears”
Also going into the Hall, Eli Manning, Paul Mainieri and former WNBA great Alana Beard.

6:30 LRN Newscast

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting the autopsy on former LSU student Madison Brooks found no DNA inside her from the suspects who were in a vehicle with her when she was allegedly raped before she died. The NAACP says the charges should be dropped, while District Attorney Hillar Moore is upset these details were leaked.

A law requiring operating rooms to provide smoke evacuation for surgical smoke goes into effect on August 1st. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Local officials in the Lake Charles area continue to express frustration over tolls being used to fund the construction of a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The state department of transportation proposed a toll schedule that it would cost over 12-dollars for a large truck with a toll tag to cross the new bridge, almost 19-dollars without a tag. Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver says that would put more trucks on the I-210 bridge….
cut 11 (10) “…18 dollars”
These concerns are expected to be brought to the House and Senate transportation committee who will need to approve the DOTD’s toll plan.