2:30 LRN Newscast

The LSU Tigers will look to avoid a let down performance against Louisiana Tech tomorrow. Coach Brian Kelly says every Saturday there is a standard and he wants his players to live up to that standard…

Cut 12 (13) “….drive themselves”

Kick off in Tiger Stadium is at 6:30.

Results of an investigation by the Secretary of State’s office released yesterday, showed 390 non-citizens were on the voter rolls in Louisiana and 79 of them voted in elections over the last several years. Secretary Nancy Landry…

Cut 21 (10) “…state laws implicated.”

Landry says Louisiana recently passed a law that will make it harder for non-citizens to register to vote, since proof of citizenship is now a requirement.

For many, allergy season is coming in Louisiana. Allergist with Ochsner Health, Dr. John Carlson says if allergies are hindering your lifestyle, there are options.

Cut 15 (15) “…different allergies.”

Attention sportsmen, it’s a Second Amendment Sales Tax Weekend, which means consumers do not have to pay state or local sales taxes on firearms, ammunition and range hunting supplies, including archery equipment, hunting apparel and certain knives. But Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the tax exemption does not apply to business or commercial purchases…

Cut 5 (09) “…commercial purchases”

The Second Amendment Sales Tax weekend runs through Sunday.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A man wanted for a murder last night (Thursday night) in Ruston was arrested in Texas after a police chase that started on Interstate 20 near Bossier City. Dylan Castaneda with Ruston Police says 31-year-old Virgil Mack of Dubach fatally shot 35-year-old Ontario Spivey of Ruston at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store. Castaneda says security cameras captured the shooting…

Cut 9 (09)  “…shooting itself.”

The police chase ended in Marshall, Texas when Mack crashed his vehicle.

This weekend is the annual 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in Louisiana. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says between now and Sunday, purchases of a wide range of hunting supplies are exempt from all state and local sales taxes.

Cut 3 (10) “…types of knives.”

Louisiana holds the 2nd Amendment Sales Tax Holiday during the first full weekend in September.

 

COVID cases are on the rise in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot is up to one-point-eight billion dollars, second largest in lottery history.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

First-year Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Luke Olson will have his hands full with shutting down an elite LSU offense when they visit Tiger Stadium Saturday. The Bulldogs are known to blitz often, and junior linebacker Mekhi Mason says they need to get to quarterback Garrett Nussmeier early and often.

Cut 12 (09) “…applying pressure.”

LSU’s additions through the transfer portal played well in the season opening win at Clemson. Senior cornerback Mansoor Delane wanted to play for a team that will develop him for the NFL while also competing for a national title. Delane says he saw the Tigers were building something special…

Cut 19 (16) “…come here.”

 

The Saints kick off their season on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will play his first game in Kellen Moore ‘s system. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier says Rattler needs to just be himself.

Cut 17 (14)  “…your job.”

Kick off is at noon.

The high school football season kicked off with a great game in Monroe as Neville held on to beat Evangel 33 to 32. The Tigers secure the victory by blocking a field goal try with 11 seconds left.

Also last night, West Monroe defeated Huntington 41 to 18, Wossman beat Bastrop 36 to six and St. Charles Catholic looked good in beating Newman 36 to 3. Tonight, Oak Gove faces Calvary Baptist, Ruston hosts Acadiana, and Catholic High of New Iberia faces Vermilion Catholic.

10:30 LRN Newscast

On the senate floor, US Senator John Kennedy used a picture of a movie alien to warn about eating the dangers of eating imported shrimp. Imported shrimp sold in Walmart stores in Louisiana and other states was recently found to be radioactive

Cut 8 (14) “…an extra ear.”

He says only 2% of imported shrimp is inspected, while the United Kingdom inspects 50-percent of the farmed seafood coming into the nation.

Fall weather is coming and so are fall allergies. Dr. John Carlson, an allergist and immunologist at Ochsner Health, says there are some good options at your local drug store that can prevent a reaction to seasonal allergies…

Cut 13 (04)  “…in it.”

Dr. Carlson says Saline nasal sprays and artificial tears can also help.

The Louisiana Secretary of State announces the results of a months-long investigation into non-citizens registering to vote. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Ruston Police say 35-year-old Ontario Spivey was fatally shot last night at the USA Travel Plaza convenience store. Officers identified the suspect as 31-year-old Virgl Mack Junior of Dubach. His vehicle was spotted heading west on I-20 and it wasn’t until he reached Marshall, Texas that he and two other individuals were apprehended.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU senior starting right guard Josh Thompson was a huge transfer portal addition for the Tigers as they needed to replace four starting offensive linemen. The Northwestern transfer ultimately made the decision to come down to Baton Rouge to get the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Cut 18 (17) “…is everything.”

The Tigers will host Louisiana Tech tomorrow night. The Bulldogs strength is their defense, which did not allow any points to Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday. Tech linebackers combined for 39 tackles and three sacks. Junior Mekhi Mason…

Cut 11 (10) “….out there”

Kick off tomorrow night is at 6:30.

 

Saints veteran cornerback Alontae Taylor was limited in practice yesterday due to a groin injury that he suffered about a month ago. Taylor says that he is doing everything he can to play in the opener, but does not want to rush it if he isn’t 100-percent.

Cut 16 (13) “…if I can.”

Starting defensive end Chase Young and offensive guard Trevor Penning did not practice yesterday, putting their status for the season opener on Sunday against Atlanta in doubt.

Cajuns quarterback Walker Howard will undergo surgery today and is likely out for the season. Louisiana Sports-dot-net is reporting Howard suffered a severe oblique injury. Daniel Beale will start at Q-B for UL Lafayette when they host McNeese tomorrow night.

The high school football season kicked off last night with Neville beating Evangel 33 to 32 and West Monroe knocking off Huntington 41 to 18.

3:30 LRN Newscast

A contentious hearing on Capitol Hill today over vaccines involving U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy and members of the U-S Senate Finance Committee, including Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy. Cassidy expressed concern that many people Kennedy has nominated for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have received money for serving as expert witnesses for plaintiffs’ attorneys suing vaccine makers.

Cut 7 (17) “…disclosed is okay.”

Cassidy also accused Kennedy of supporting policies that deny people the COVID-vaccine, but Kennedy says Cassidy is wrong.

Most Louisiana residents can’t wait for some fall weather, but we can do without fall allergies. Allergist and immunologist at Ochsner Health, Doctor John Carlson, says there are some real good options at your local drug store that can prevent a reaction to seasonal allergies…

Cut 13 (04)  “…in it”

Doctor Carlson says Saline nasal sprays and artificial tears can also help wash pollen out of your eyes.

The 2025 hurricane season remains quiet for the Gulf Coast…

Cut 10 (11) “…worry about”

That’s LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim, who says the lack of activity has allowed the Gulf to really heat up and the very warm sea surface temperatures can lead to rapid intensification of storms that form or enter the Gulf.

The state department of transportation is inviting high school students to join the Buckle Up, Phone down challenge. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says teenagers can submit videos highlighting the importance of seat belt use and avoiding phone distractions. Mallett says the videos should be 30-seconds to two minutes long…

Cut 4 (11) “…of the year”

The top three winners will receive cash prizes.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Seven months to the day after casting the vote that for all intents and purposes sealed his confirmation as US health secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy takes Robert F. Kennedy to task over his vaccine policies during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU’s Jay Johnson is set to become the highest paid college baseball coach in the country as the LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve his new contract tomorrow that pays him three million plus dollars a year.

 

Next week is the peak of the hurricane season and still no tropical threats to the Gulf coast. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s the good news, the bad news is that the lack of storms has allowed the water temperature in the Gulf to soar two degrees above normal, to 87-degrees…

Cut 11 (05) “…the Gulf”

Keim says hot sea surface temperatures can produce rapid intensification.

The state Department of Transportation is encouraging Louisiana teens to promote safe driving through creativity and advocacy. They are conducting a video contest that gives high school students a chance to express the importance of seat belt use and avoiding phone distractions…

Cut 5 (09) “…these days”

Mallett says distracted driving contributed to 25-percent of crash fatalities last year. For more information go to DOTD’s website.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Third ranked LSU and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will meet on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers defense only allowed one touchdown last weekend against Clemson. But linebacker West Weeks says there’s room for improvement…

Cut 21 (15) “…for another week”

LSU-Louisiana Tech is not the only intrastate matchup. The Ragin Cajuns host McNeese at 7 PM. Cowboys head coach Matt Viator returns to Lafayette after serving as an offensive analyst for the Cajuns the last four seasons. Viator likes the in-state matchups.

Cut 16 (17) “…lot of fun.”

 

The Saints kick off their season on Sunday at noon against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start under center for the Black and Gold. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is seeing lots of confidence from Rattler going into game week.

Cut 19 (15) “…lead us.”

Guard Trevor Penning did not practice yesterday because of a toe injury, but cornerback Alontae Taylor returned from a groin injury.

The high school football season starts tonight. On the LHSAA Network, the Game of the Week is St. Charles Catholic hosting Newman. The Greenies have a new head coach in Aaron Vice and the Comets looking to bounce back after a losing season.

Jay Johnson has won two national championships and according to Wilson Alexander at the Advocate he’s set to become the highest paid coach in college baseball, with a deal that will top out at three-million dollars a year and it runs through 2032 season.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints kick off their season on Sunday at noon against the Arizona Cardinals. Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will start under center for the Black and Gold. Head coach Kellen Moore says he is seeing lots of confidence from Rattler going into game week.

Cut 19 (15) “…lead us.”

Guard Trevor Penning did not practice yesterday because of a toe injury, but cornerback Alontae Taylor returned from a groin injury.

Ragin Cajuns Coach Michael Desormeaux says quarterback Walker Howard will not play on Saturday. He says former Catholic High of Baton Rouge star, Daniel Beale, will get the start under center instead…

Cut 18 (09) “….in him”

Kick off is at 7 PM.

ULM is gearing up to play 21st ranked Alabama this Saturday. In the Warhawks’ 29-0 win over Saint Francis, Louisiana-Monroe rushed for 311 yards. Coach Bryant Vincent likes the depth he has in the running back room…

Cut 21 (23) “…ran the ball hard”

In Alabama’s shocking two-touchdown loss to Florida State, the Crimson Tide allowed 230 yards rushing.

The schedule is out for the LSU baseball team’s trip to Jacksonville, which will take place from February 20th to the 22nd. The Tigers first game will be Friday at 1 PM Central time against Indiana. The defending national champs will play Notre Dame on Saturday at 11 AM and then complete the weekend with a game against UCF at 2 PM.

4:30 LRN Newscast

After sending in National Guard Troops to help fight crime in Washington D.C., New Orleans is among the cities President Trump is eyeing for a similar federal crime fight. The president says crime in New Orleans can be taken care of very quickly.

Cut 13 (7) “…than D.C…”

According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, shootings, homicides, carjackings and armed robbery are all down as compared to the previous year.

Louisiana Congresswoman Julia Letlow ended speculation this morning that she could be the next president of the LSU system. She says though higher education is her passion and background the timing isn’t right. LSU is located in her district and she believes her position on House Appropriations can be more beneficial for the university…

Cut 8 (05) “…in D-C.”

There’s still a possibility Letlow will run for U-S Senate. It’s believed she’s waiting to see if President Trump will endorse her in a race against several other challengers and incumbent Bill Cassidy.

 

A civic organization says when it comes to overall well-being, Louisiana is headed in the right direction. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Federal and state officials announced this afternoon they are housing ICE detainees at the State Penitentiary in Angola. The area is called Camp 57, in honor of Jeff Landry, the 57th Governor of Louisiana. Landry says the worst ICE offenders will be housed there and there are currently 52 ICE detainees at the renovated facility with the ability to house up to 416.