2:30 LRN Newscast

At a press conference in Leesville, federal officials announced a Lafayette grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against 11 individuals involved in an alleged multi-parish drug trafficking organization. Assistant US Attorney LaDonte Murphy says the suspects are accused of possessing or conspiring to possess large amounts of meth and cocaine with an intent to distribute…

Cut 9 (13)  “…into our markets.”

Most of the suspects have connections to Vernon Parish.

Every parish in Louisiana will be showcased in a new travel series that debuts tonight at 8 PM on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the L-A 64 series will take viewers off the beaten path…

Cut 27 (11) “…in each parish.”

Tonight’s first episode is on Vermilion Parish.

 

During the Super Bowl last night, many fans had one eye on the game and one eye on their phones doing Google searches. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Baton Rouge State Representative Dixon McMakin says he will no longer seek election as the next U-S Representative for the 5th Congressional district. Meanwhile, Livingston Parish Republican Larry Davis says he’s switching his campaign from the 5th Congressional District to the 6th Congressional district and will challenge Democrat Cleo Fields.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The fifth ranked LSU women’s basketball team improved to 22-and-3 yesterday with a 77-44 win over Auburn. Auburn shot just 25-percent from the field, while the Lady Tigers had four players score in double figures, led by freshman forward ZaKiyah Johnson who had 16 points and eight rebounds.

The 2026 college baseball season gets underway Friday. An intriguing newcomer for Ragin Cajuns baseball is Donovan LaSalle from Lake Charles. LaSalle was a star baseball player at Barbe High School and signed with Oklahoma State out of high school. But he didn’t get regular playing time for the Cowboys. Coach Matt Deggs says LaSalle has big-time power and plans to have him in the line-up every game…

Cut 17 (15)  “…talent out.”

The Cajuns open the season against Missouri State.

 

Super Bowl 60 is in the books as Seattle played outstanding defense in a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots. Still a great season for New England as went from 4-and-13 in 2024 to A-F-C Champions. Defensive tackle Milton Williams, who played at Louisiana Tech and  the Super Bowl last season with the Eagles, says the team came a long way in just one year.

Cut 3 (13) “…the coaches, everybody.”

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball had a nice win on Saturday as the Bulldogs ended Sam Houston’s seven game winning streak by beating the Bearkats 87-78. Tech got a break out performance from Kaden Cooper, who scored 16 points and had a career-high 18 rebounds in his first game since January 14th. Coach Talvin Hesteron Cooper’s big game…

Cut 19 (15) “…chose it”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has intensified its efforts to make sure families who are receiving food assistance have submitted accurate wages, addresses and household size. The state could be penalized as much as 95-million dollars by the federal government if the error rates for SNAP exceed more than six percent.

Last year, the legislature passed a law requiring special education classrooms to be equipped with cameras. As of the beginning of this month, that law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

A new original travel series debuts tonight on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. It’s called LA 64 and it will showcase the authentic stories that make each parish and community truly special. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser…

Cut 9 (11)  “…each parish”

Tonight’s first episode at 8 PM will feature Vermilion parish. Each episode will also be uploaded to LPB’s YouTube channel.

When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, many of the horses will be put up for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they launched the program to break the cycle of uncertainty.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sold for slaughter.”

Go to the Humane Society of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras Horses Adoption Program facebook page for more information.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Seattle Seahawks won their second Super Bowl championship last night with a dominating performance over the Patriots. New England had a hard time generating any offense. Former LSU Tiger Kayshon Boutte had just one catch. Former Tiger Anthony Bradford, a starting guard for Seattle, is a Super Bowl champion.

Now that football is over, the college baseball season is set to start on Friday. Freshman Mason Braun is pushing for playing time on this 2026 LSU baseball team. Coach Jay Johnson likes Braun’s slow heartbeat in the batter’s box…

Cut 16 (23) “…for three years”

___________________________________________________

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team bounced back from its loss last Thursday to Texas to beat Auburn 77-44 yesterday. Freshman ZaKiyah Johnson had 16 to lead the way. Up next is a matchup against third-ranked South Carolina on Saturday night.

Louisiana Tech won on Saturday, while ULM lost, and Ragin’ Cajuns basketball won their fourth straight and will host Coastal Carolina on Thursday.

Tonight in the Southland…Nicholls hosts U-T-R-G-V, while McNeese hosts H-C-U.

Back to baseball…the Cajuns are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt. Coach Matt Deggs expects his team to be tough-minded this season…

Cut 18 (14) “…come together”

The Cajuns open the season against Missouri State.

LRN AM Newscall

Louisiana residents can learn what makes each parish unique in a new original travel series that debuts tonight on L-P-B. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Last year, the legislature passed a law requiring special education classrooms to be equipped with cameras. As of the beginning of this month, that law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

When the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will once again be put up for adoption. Jeanne Burns reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

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Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says his department is working to establish a benchmark range on the discount a homeowner should receive on their property insurance for having a fortified roof. Temple says these benchmarks are being thoughtfully developed to help consumers receive the discounts they deserve for fortifying their homes…

Cut 4 (07) “…mandatory discount.”

Temple says this Department of Insurance regulation would require Louisiana insurance companies to either meet the minimum benchmark, which could be as much as 20-percent, or provide actuarial justification for why the company’s discount does not mee the benchmark.

Cut 5 (11) “…our state.”

The Department of Insurance says it will provide further information soon on when the fortified roof benchmark discounts will go into effect. Temple says if you have a fortified roof and if you believe your homeowners insurance premium should be lower, shop around

Cut 6 (07) “…say a lot.”

Louisiana is the fastest growing state for Fortified roofs in America. To date, over 11-thousand Fortified roofs have been installed, including more than 41-hundred through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program.

______________________________________________________

Every parish in Louisiana will be showcased in a new travel series that debuts tonight at 8 PM on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the L-A 64 series will take viewers off the beaten path to experience local traditions and all things make each community distinctive…

Cut 7 (11) “…in each parish.”

The first episode features Vermilion Parish and Nungesser says the show has already set new records on LPB’s YouTube Channel. He says L-A 64 will air new episodes over five seasons to cover all 64 parishes…

Cut 8 (11) “…didn’t know about.”

Nungesser says every parish has a story worth telling. He hopes LA 64 inspires both visitors and residents to take a staycation or travel across the state to experience how communities are preserving, celebrating and sharing Louisiana’s rich heritage…

Cut 9 (11)  “…each parish”

Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Alabama Public Television and Arkansas P-B-S plan to air the television series this summer.

______________________________________________________________

As of the beginning of this month, all public and charter school special education classrooms in Louisiana are required to have cameras installed inside them. That’s due to Act 479, which was signed into law last year. It was authored by Livingston Representative Shane Mack, who says nearly all special education classrooms got them installed in time. 

Cut 10 (05) “…getting it completed.”

Mack says the purpose of having cameras in special education classrooms is so that parents or guardians can get involved if there’s an incident in the classroom.

Cut 11 (11) “…in the classrooms.”

Mack says the law goes beyond merely installing cameras in the special needs classrooms.

Cut 12 (07) “…handle the situation.”

______________________________________________________________

When all the Mardi Gras parades are over, the horses will be put up for adoption. The Humane Society of Louisiana is once again implementing the Mardi Gras Horse Adoption Program. Executive Director Jeff Dorson says they launched the program to break the cycle of uncertainty.

Cut 13 (10)  “…sold for slaughter.”

Dorson says ever since the Humane Society launched the program in 2017, every horse that it has taken in has been adopted into permanent homes.

Cut 14 (10) “…be part of.”

Not everyone can adopt these horses – Dorson says there is an application process.

Cut 15 (09) “…a good fit.”

Some horses have already been adopted; Dorson says he hopes to have all of this year’s horses adopted by March 4th.

______________________________________________________________

It will be difficult for a freshman to crack the starting lineup at LSU, with so many veteran position players. But if there is a guy on this LSU baseball team who can do it, it is Mason Braun. Braun can play in the outfield or at first base. He has big league power and LSU  coach Jay Johnson likes his slow heartbeat in the batter’s box…

Cut 16 (23) “…for three years.” 

________________________________________________________

An intriguing newcomer for Ragin Cajuns baseball is Donovan LaSalle from Lake Charles. LaSalle was a star baseball player at Barbe High School and signed with Oklahoma State out of high school. But he didn’t get regular playing time for the Cowboys. Coach Matt Deggs says LaSalle has big-time power and plans to have him in the line-up every game…

Cut 17 (15)  “…talent out.”

The Cajuns are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt this season. Deggs expects his team to be tough-minded this season…

Cut 18 (14)  “…come together.” 

The Ragin Cajuns open the season by hosting Missouri State.

______________________________________________________________

On a day Louisiana Tech men’s basketball retired the jersey number of Bulldogs legend Paul Millsap, La Tech ended Sam Houston’s seven-game winning streak by beating the Bearkats 87 to 78. The Bulldogs dominated the boards outrebounded Sam Houston 46-30. Kaden Cooper, playing in his first game since January 14th, had 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Coach Talvin Hester on Cooper’s big game…

Cut 19 (15) “…chose it.”

The win gives Tech a 6-6 record in Conference USA. The Bulldogs are on the road this week as they visit Missouri State on Thursday night and F-I-U on Saturday. Sir Issac Herron had a career-high 18 points in the win over Sam Houstoin and says the toughness they played with against the Bearkcats, they need to bring on the road…

Cut 20 (15) “…of itself.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

As who Dats were celebrating the Brees entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 5th ranked LSU women’s basketball team fell apart in the fourth quarter and lost to fourth ranked Texas 77 to 64 on Thursday night. Coach Kim Mulkey’s team was outscored 21-to-10 in the fourth quarter…

Cut 19 (11) “…compusure

LSU will look to start a new winning streak on Sunday at Auburn.

There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Boutte averages 18 yards a catch and has a touchdown in the postseason. The New Iberia native has the utmost confidence in second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Cut 16 (13) “…of the day” 

The Patriots also have former Louisiana Tech standout Milton Williams. The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season.

In college basketball on Saturday…the LSU men’s basketball team has a winnable game as they host Georgia. Tip off is at 5 PM.

In other games of note….Louisiana Tech hosts Sam Houston, Nichollas faces A-and-M Corpust Christi in Thibodaux, ULM takes on Ball State in Monroe. The Cajuns go after their fourth straight win as they host Central Michigan.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Entergy says it has completed its mission in northeast Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom had some choice words for Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a social media post over the A-G’s wishes to extradite a doctor in California for sending abortion pills to a person in Louisiana. I can’t say exactly what Newsome said, but it was a four letter word. Murrill’s response was “Bless your heart.”

 

A groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday afternoon on the Donaldsonville campus of the River Parish Community College system, which will be used primarily to train future employees at the Hyundai Steel mill, which will be built nearby. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says this is the latest in the growth of the system.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Boutte.”

Taylor says the Donaldsonville campus will train many of the workers that will be employed at the Hyundai Steel mill.

Sunday is a big day for Monroe native and former LSU star Will Campbell as he will start at left tackle for the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. Campbell says he will certainly take a moment to take it all in before kickoff…

Cut 18 (11) “…get ready to go”

New Iberia’s Kayshon Boutte is also key a player for the Patriots, who are looking for their seventh Super Bowl victory and their second win a Super Bowl over Seattle.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

At this hour, they are breaking ground on a River Parish Community College campus in Donaldsonville. It’s located near the site of the future Hyundai Steel mill that will employ 13-hundred workers. River Parish Community College Chancellor Quintin Taylor says the training facility they are building will provide much of the workforce for the new steel mill…

Cut 5 (08) “…to the jobs”

The Donaldsonville campus is expected to open in 2028. Construction is expected to be completed on the Hyundai Steel mill in 2029.

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person that fatally shot a bald eagle in Vermilion Parish on December 5th has increased to 15-thousand dollars…..

Cut 7 (11) “….receiving”

That’s Sergeant Michael Hebert with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Moderna says a vaccine they’ve developed with Merk is showing that it reduces the risk of death or recurrence of the deadly skin cancer known as melanoma five years after the treatment started. The head of development and oncology and therapeutics at Moderna, Doctor Kyle Holen, says Moderna is looking at several types of cancers in clinical trials, some of which are taking place in Louisiana…

Cut 10  (10) “…types of cancer”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Legendary Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was officially announced last night.  Brees led the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. He also set numerous records and his success on the field helped New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (14) “…bigger than them”

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has a new three contract. Cumbie’s annual salary has been reduced. The money not going to Cumbie will be used to help pay players through revenue sharing deals. Athletics director Ryan Ivey says Cumbie’s contract also allows him to earn more money by hitting certain incentives…

Cut 15 (08) certainly do that”

 

The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person that fatally shot a bald eagle in Vermilion Parish on December 5th has increased to 15-thousand dollars…..

Cut 7 (11) “….receiving”

That’s Sergeant Michael Hebert with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Construction is getting underway on the fifth campus in the River Parish Community College system – this one in Donaldsonville, in Ascension Parish. Chancellor Quintin Taylor says for the first three to four years after it opens in 2028, the campus will be used specifically to train workers for the new Hyundai Steel mill, until it fills all 13-hundred jobs.

Cut 3 (08) “…in the area.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints legend Drew Brees is the first player in franchise history to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The formal announcement was made on Thursday night. No one could have predicted that Brees would become one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NFL history when he was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft…

Cut 12 (12) “…different way.”

Brees became the first quarterback to surpass 80-thousand career passing yards and his 571 touchdown passes are the second most in NFL history. His career completion percentage is the highest in league history.

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball dropped a crucial SEC matchup 77-64 at fourth-ranked Texas last night. In the loss, the Tigers turned the ball over 19 times. With the loss, LSU only has a 9% chance to win at least a share of the regular-season SEC title. The Tigers will wrap up their weeklong road trip on Sunday when they face Auburn at 1 p.m.

There will be four former LSU Tigers playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Anthony Bradford is a starting guard for Seattle, and the Patriots have K’Lavon Chaisson, Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte. Campbell never played for a championship at Neville High School or at LSU. But as a rookie in the NFL, he gets his opportunity after the Patriots used the fourth overall pick to select him.

Cut 17 (17)  “…it’s been awesome.”

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Georgia at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will host Sam Houston tomorrow at 2 p.m.

UL-Lafayette goes for its fourth straight win tomorrow as the Cajuns host Central Michigan at 3 p.m.

McNeese men’s basketball looks to bounce back from a loss to Stephen F. Austin earlier this week as the Cowboys host Incarnate Word tomorrow at 4 p.m.