4:45 LRN Sportscast

The NCAA has placed LSU’s football program on one year of probation and former LSU offensive line coach James Cregg was given a three year show cause for improper recruiting violations. That means it will be hard for him to find a job over the next three years in college football. The NCAA has determined Cregg gave a recruit team gear during a COVID-19 dead period for visiting recruits. LSU will pay a self-imposed five-thousand dollar fine and the number of official recruiting visits will be limited to 55.

It’s expected true freshmen Will Campbell and Emery Jones will start again at the two offensive tackle spots on Saturday. Center Charles Turner says both of them played really well last week as starters…
cut 17 (12) “…tremendous amount”
The Tigers host New Mexico on Saturday night.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints quarterback Jamies Winston is still struggling with ongoing back injuries that may continue to hinder him throughout the rest of the season. Winston suffered four fractures in his back in week one against the Falcons but he isn’t focusing on the pain.
Cut 16 (09) “…than that.”
Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave had five receptions for 80 yards in the loss but was targeted thirteen times including multiple deep shots of which only one connected. Winston praised the rookie’s route-running ability and maturity and says he needs to be more accurate on those throws down the field.
Cut 18 (14) “…in the game.”
The Saints visit the winless Panthers on Sunday.

The LSU Tigers are getting ready to host the Lobos of New Mexico on Saturday night. Coach Brian Kelly the Mountain West school will present them with some challenges…
cut 30 (12) “…of preparation”
LSU is a 31.5 point favorite.

U-L Lafayette’s nation-leading 15-game win streak came to an end last weekend in a loss to Rice, but coach Michael Desormeaux is glad the pressure has been taken off his team and is looking forward to bouncing back this Saturday against the ULM Warhawks…
Cut 19 (13) “…forward here.”
Cajuns running back Chris Smith calls the loss to Rice a wake-up call

LRN AM Newscall September 22

A reward of $30,000 is being offered to help find those responsible for the shooting death of LSU student Allie Rice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A federal judge rules the federal government may no longer require COVID shots or masks of teachers, staff or volunteers with Project Head Start. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:

Cut 2 (29) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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New Orleans experienced a major uptick in crimes this year with over 200 homicides, now locals are wondering if it will affect tourism. Whitney Thomas has more…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Whitney Thomas.”

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The restaurant where Allie Rice worked is helping collect reward money for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who gunned the LSU student down last Friday. One of the owners of The Shed, Chez Ciccone says the reward is up to $30,000 and he thinks it will make a difference.

Cut 4 (08)  “…people know.”

Allie Rice worked at The Shed alongside two of her brothers. Ciccone says the restaurant pitched in $10,000 dollars initially and other businesses have also donated to the reward. He says they hope to have $50,000 by Friday, which would be one week after the LSU senior was killed in her car on Government St. in Baton Rouge.

Cut 5 (07) “…did this.”

Ciccone says there’s been an overwhelming outpour of condolences and offers to help in any way they can since Allie was killed. He urges the community to work together to help end the uptick in crime in Baton Rouge.

Cut 6 (06)  “…off the street.” 

For more information on how to donate to the reward, you can visit The Shed’s Facebook page. If you have any tips about the case call Crimestoppers or Baton Rouge Police.

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A federal judge rules that the U.S. Government may NOT require masks and/or COVID shots for teachers, staff and volunteers with Project Head Start. The suit was brought by a school teacher and represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, whose general counsel Sarah Harbison says the plaintiff is vindicated…:

Cut 7 (08) “…aren’t having it.”

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Terry Doughty issued a permanent injunction preventing the feds from enforcing their mask and shot mandates on Head Start in Louisiana and 23 other states. Harbison says the case against the government wasn’t just about compliance…:

Cut 8 (06)  “…to do so.”

Harbison says the federal government can appeal the ruling, but other COVID mandates have also been reversed and they’ll likely lose on appeal in this case. President Biden recently publicly proclaimed the COVID pandemic “over” so why would the feds persist in the mask and shot mandates…?

Cut 9 (07)  “…and medical decisions.”

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Today is the first day of fall, but its unseasonally hot. Temperatures will get into the upper 90s today, and triple digits north of I-10. State Climatologist Barry Kiem says the hot weather will stick around through the weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…some locations.”

A front is expected to come in next week dropping high temperatures back into the 80s. The humidity is also expected to drop. Keim says even though the calendar says fall summer is hanging on. 

Cut  11 (06)  “…still here.” 

But Keim says we’ll get a little break over the weekend

Cut 12 (06) “…incredibly hot..” 

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New Orleans has experienced astronomical crime rates this year with over 200 people murdered. A concerned local asked Governor John Bel Edwards on his monthly call-in radio program if this is impacting tourism.

Edwards says numbers indicate that tourism is actually up in Crescent City.

Cut 13 (13) “…our economy.”

Edwards says he believes the increase in crime isn’t keeping tourists away.  

Cut 14 (09)  “…that either..”

Edwards says getting more police officers will make a difference.

Cut 15 (08)  “… retain them.”

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Saints quarterback Jamies Winston is still struggling with ongoing back injuries that may continue to hinder him throughout the rest of the season. Winston suffered four fractures in his back in week one against the Falcons but he isn’t focusing on the pain.

Cut 16 (09)  “…than that.” 

Winston threw three interceptions in the fourth quarter against the Buccaneers last Sunday, including a costly pick-six. Winston doesn’t want his injuries to act as an excuse for his performance and takes accountability for the late-game mistakes.

Cut 17 (17) “…the middle.” 

Rookie wide receiver Chris Olave had five receptions for 80 yards in the loss but was targeted thirteen times including multiple deep shots of which only one connected. Winston praised the rookie’s route-running ability and maturity and says he needs to be more accurate on those throws down the field.

Cut 18 (14) “…in the game.” 

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U-L Lafayette’s nation-leading 15-game win streak came to an end last weekend in a loss to Rice, but coach Michael Desormeaux is glad the pressure has been taken off his team and is looking forward to bouncing back this weekend.

Cut 19 (13) “…forward here.”

The Cajuns next game will be against conference rivals ULM on Saturday. The Warhawks have had the unenviable challenge of facing off against two top programs in Texas and Alabama to start their season, but Desormeaux says the Warhawks are better than their record or even film may show.

Cut 20 (20) “ …physical one.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly said today he wants to get wide receiver Jack Bech more involved in Saturday’s game against New Mexico. So far Beche only has two catches in three games, after leading the team in receptions with 43 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns last season.

The Tigers game against the Lobos is at 6:30 and Kelly says he’s looking forward to seeing what running back John Emery can do after making his 2022 debut last Saturday…
cut 28 (13) “…for him”

The Saints returned to practice to get ready for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Running back Alvin Kamara was a limited participant after missing the loss to the Buccaneers because of a rib injury. Cornerback Paulson Adebo was also limited with an ankle injury that’s kept him out the first two games of the season.

Lousiaina Tech lost to Clemson last weekend 48-20 but the Bulldogs showed they can be winners away from the football field. The Clemson football program has been grieving over the death of 15-year-old Ella Bresee, the sister of Tigers defensive tackle Brian Bresee. Before Saturday’s game, Tech players decided to write hand written letters to Bresee’s family to offer their sorrow and some words of encouragement. Wide receiver Julian Lewis was one of the players who wrote a letter…
Cut 17 (15) “..his family”
Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they will visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game.

ULM starting offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins has been suspended from the team until further notice after he was arrested and charged with domestic battery.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Police believe Friday’s fatal shooting of 21-year-old Allison Rice was likely a random act, but an exact motive is unknown as the search for her killer continues. Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says the LSU student attempted to turn her vehicle around at a train crossing when shots were fired.
Cut 30 (07) “…this case.”

It looks the days of falling gas prices are coming to an end. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13 today, which matches yesterday’s statewide average. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says now that gasoline prices have stabilized its hard to predict where they go from here….
cut 7 (08) “….right now”
But Redman says if a major hurricane appears in the Gulf, prices will spike. Forecasters are keeping an eye on a tropical wave in the western Atlantic.

Social Catfish, an online investigation service that monitors scams, says in Louisiana last year more than 4,000 people lost $43 million to con-artists, that’s up from $27 million in 2020. Social Catfish CEO David McClellan…
Cut 9 (08) “…staggering.”
During the pandemic, there was an increase in identity theft due to stimulus checks and enhanced unemployment.

Southeastern Louisiana has received a five million dollar grant that they will use to recruit teachers, including from underserved population. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says they are partnering with the Tangipahoa School System for the first year and they will focus on ways to better prepare teachers….
cut 4 (11) “…those new teachers”
The project will prepare 375 more highly effective and trained teachers over a five-year period.

12:30 LRN newscast

Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy believes its a good idea to relocate migrants from the border states to Democratic controlled cities. migrants were recently sent to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Cassidy says dropping unwelcomed illegals among the country’s richest sends a clear message…
cut 15 (10) “…only way to do it”
Migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard told reporters they were enticed to go there with unmet promises of jobs and homes.

The drop from record high gasoline prices appears to be ending. For nearly 100 days the price at pump has fallen, but today the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13, the same as yesterday. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says a lot of factors went into the stabilization of prices…
Cut 6 (10) “…the economy.”

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a $5-million federal grant to create a program to keep teachers in the classroom. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

After another impressive outing against Mississippi St. Malik Nabors is LSU’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown. Nabors muffed two crucial punts in the season opener vs Florida St but has bounced back with strong showings in the last three games, especially on 3rd and 4th downs. Coach Brian Kelly admires the young wide-out’s resilience…
Cut 19 (20) “…stronger for it.”
Kelly said on today’s SEC teleconference that they want to get Jack Bech more involved. So far two catches on the season for Bech.

The NFL has upheld the one-game suspension handed down against Bucs receiver Mike Evans for violently shoving Saints corner Marshon Lattimore to the ground. He will miss this Sunday’s game against Green Bay.

Louisiana Tech is back on the road this Saturday as they’ll visit South Alabama in its final non-conference game. Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is proud of how quarterback Parker McNeil performed in the loss to Clemson. McNeil was intercepted twice, but threw for 311 yards and a TD…
cut 18 (24) “….the game”

In other action on Saturday, ULM and the Cajuns open up Sun Belt play by playing each other in Monroe. U-L Lafayette has won the last four in this series.

Northwestern and Nicholls finally play their first home games, the winless Demons host Lamar and the Colonels take on Jacksonville State in Thibodaux.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Fox News says based on data from the Metropolitan Crime Commission, New Orleans leads the nation in the number of murders per capita, as a result of a 141-percent spike in homicides over the last several years. New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche says over half of the city’s violent crimes occur in just two policing districts and concentrating police presence and action there will help a lot…
cut 9 (09) “….25-percent citywide”
New Orleans has seen 208 murders so far this year alone.

Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says it is disingenuous of Democrats to rail on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for sending two airline flights of illegals to Martha’s Vineyard when the Biden administration is guilty of the same thing on a grander scale…:
Cut 14 (08) “…like this isn’t happening.”
President Biden says Desantis is playing politics with human beings being used as props.

Southeastern Louisiana University is using a five million dollar federal grant to develop a mentoring program to assist education graduates as they enter the classroom. Dean of Education Paula Summers Calderon says new teachers tend to leave the profession in their first few years due to burnout and not meeting their own expectations
Cut 3 (10) “…or 20 years.”
Calderon says they are partnering with the Tangipahoa School System for the first year

The Violence Policy Center ranks Louisiana fifth in the nation for the number of women killed by men per capita. V-P-C spokesperson Kristen Rand says based on 2020 data most female murder victims are killed by guns and Black women are disproportionally impacted by lethal domestic violence…
cut 5 (13) “….Black women”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The murder of an LSU student who was gunned down early Friday morning remains unsolved, and police encourage anyone with information to call them. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It looks the days of falling gas prices are coming to an end. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.13 today, which matches yesterday’s statewide average.

Louisiana Ranks 5th nation in the number of women killed by men per capita according to the Violence Policy Center. VPC spokesperson Kristen Rand says in 2020, 98 percent of the women murdered in Louisiana were killed by someone they knew.
Cut 4 (13) “…to tradegy.”
And most of those women are killed by firearms.

Democrats are blowing their stacks over Republican governors sending illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard, but Senator Bill Cassidy says the move was a great wake-up call for liberals about border security.…:
Cut 13 (12) “…it is a good idea.”
But President Biden says what the Republican governors are doing is simply wrong.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Fox News says based on data from the Metropolitan Crime Commission, New Orleans leads the nation in the number of murders per capita, as a result of a 141-percent spike in homicides over the last several years. New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission president Rafael Goyeneche says over half of the city’s violent crimes occur in just two policing districts and concentrating police presence and action there will help a lot…
cut 9 (09) “….25-percent citywide”
New Orleans has seen 208 murders so far this year alone.

Baton Rouge Police detectives believe Friday morning’s fatal shooting of 21-year-old LSU student Allie Rice was a random act and there’s no evidence she was targeted. Sergeant L’ Jean McKneely is limiting his comments about what they exactly know…
cut 12 (11) “…may put out”
Rice worked at the Shed Restaurant, which is offering a 10-thousand reward for information that leads to a conviction.

Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy believes its a good idea to relocate migrants from the border states to Democratic controlled cities. 50 Venezuelan migrants were recently sent to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Cassidy says dropping unwelcomed illegals among the country’s richest sends a clear message…
cut 15 (10) “…only way to do it”
Migrants sent to Martha’s Vineyard told reporters they were enticed to go there with unmet promises of jobs and homes.

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men. That’s according to the Violence Policy Center, who says it’s the 12th year in a row Louisiana has ranked within the top ten states. V-P-C spokesperson Kristen Rand hopes lawmakers will legislate change to provide more resources for victims of domestic violence…
cut 6 (12) “….effective solutions”