4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin was able to sign the two best players in the state of Louisiana in defensive linemen Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson. Kiffin says even though he gets credit for keeping Brown and Anderson in the boot, it was the program that recruited itself.

CUT 21 (20): “knew it was LSU.”

Today is National Signing Day and LSU officially signed three-star junior college transfer offensive lineman Adrian Lamb of Georgia Military College and three-star safety Jackson Williams of Archbishop Shaw High School.

The LSU baseball team came in as the No. 1 team in the 2026 USA Today Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll. It’s the Tigers’ fourth Top-2 ranking and second No. 1 ranking since last month. LSU was rated No. 1 by Perfect Game and No. 2 by D1Baseball and Baseball America in their respective preseason polls. LSU, UCLA, Texas, Georgia Tech and Arkansas rounded out the top five.

The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team has won three of its last four games, and the Cajuns look to keep it hot as they’re at James Madison tonight. With the team’s recent success, Cajuns head coach Quannas White says he wants his team to remain humble.

Cut 16 (17) “…and be consistent.”

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team hosts New Mexico State tonight at 6:30 p.m.

The Sun Belt Conference released its Preseason Coaches Poll today, and UL-Lafayette baseball was picked to finish fifth in the conference, receiving 126 votes.

Head baseball coach Matt Deggs announced the Cajuns’ starting pitching rotation today during UL Baseball Media Day. Junior left-hander Ty Roman will serve as the Friday night starter. Roman is a transfer from San Jacinto junior college. Junior right-hander JR Tollett will be the Saturday starter and graduate student left-hander Andrew Herrmann will be the Sunday starter.

LRN PM Newscall

The dates for the next two Sugar Bowls have been announced. Andrew Greenstein reports the latter one will be followed by an even bigger game.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Four state lawmakers are looking to make the jump to Congress. Jeff Palermo has more on the race to replace Julia Letlow in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The next Sugar Bowl will be the latest one in its 90-plus-year history. Because it’s a College Football Playoff Semifinal, it will take place Friday, January 15th, 2027. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while it breaks tradition, it’s for the best.

Cut 3 (09) “…be in it.”

Throughout its history, the Sugar Bowl knew the participating teams at the end of the regular season – with the last two years knowing one team and two possible opponents. However, for the upcoming season, the participating teams will not be known until after New Year’s Day. Hundley says that in no way will diminish the turnout or the excitement leading up to the game.

Cut 4 (09) “…excitement around them.”

For the 2027 season, the Sugar Bowl reverts back to a quarterfinal matchup, and that will be played New Year’s Eve, which falls on a Friday. Hundley says the College Football Playoff has to work around the NFL when scheduling its games.

Cut 5 (10) “…to work with.”

Weeks later, on Monday, January 24th, 2028, the Sugar Bowl Committee will help host the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in the Superdome. Hundley points out that the last four times that the Superdome hosted the college football national title game, LSU was playing in it, with the Tigers winning three of them.

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The race for the district 5 U.S. House seat that Letlow gave up to run for U.S. Senate is getting crowded. Blake Miguez dropped out of the senate race to seek the District 5 House seat. State Senators Steward Cathey of Monroe and Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge, state Representative Dixon Wallace McMakin of Baton Rouge, and Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe all confirmed their commitment to run. With qualifying just over a week away, USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn called it a wild race.

Cut 6 (09) “…musical chairs.”

The fact that Miguez does not live in District 5 isn’t keeping him from seeking office to represent it and he says his focus is delivering wins for all of District 5. Hilburn says, it’s legal and it’s been done before but he says, Miguez’s opponents aren’t holding back.

Cut 7 (10) “…Senator Miguez.”

Qualifying for the May 16th primary begins next week, February 11th through 13th. Hilburn says that leaves almost no time for campaigning or campaign fundraising.

Cut 8 (13) “…these campaigns.”

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Using images of children to create A-I deepfake images of a sexual nature would be illegal if a state lawmaker has his way. Representative Michael Bayham has filed a bill that would classify deepfake content involving children as child sex abuse material if it’s sexually explicit in nature.

Cut 9 (08)  “…abused and exploited.”

The Republican from St. Bernard Parish says because it’s such a new technology, A-I is currently not addressed in Louisiana statutes, and he’s looking to close that loophole to protect the most vulnerable.

Cut 10 (12) “…particularly our children.”

Bayham says while some may have concerns that regulating A-I could stifle free speech, this is not what his bill is all about.

Cut 11 (06) “…images of children.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

The race for the district 5 U.S. House seat that Julia Letlow gave up to run for U.S. Senate is getting crowded. State Senator Blake Miguez dropped out of the senate race to seek the District 5 House seat. Miguez joins fellow state senators Stewart Cathey and Rick Edmonds, along with state representative Dixon McMakin and Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell as candidates. With qualifying a week away, USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn says its a wild race.

Cut 6 (09) “…musical chairs.”

What a person can do with A-I is wild, which is why state representative Michael Bayham has filed a bill that would add sexually explicit AI deepfakes to what’s considered child sex abuse materials. Bayham says while some may have concerns that regulating A-I could stifle free speech, this is not what his bill is all about.

Cut 11 (06) “…images of children.”

The dates for the next two Sugar Bowls have been announced. Andrew Greenstein reports the latter one will be followed by an even bigger game.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin held his first press conference in more than two months and said that quarterback Sam Leavitt, the transfer from Arizona State, who is recovering from foot surgery, will be able to compete in seven on seven drills in the spring. Leavitt is expected to be LSU’s starting quarterback in 2026.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The next Sugar Bowl will be the latest one in its 90-plus-year history. Because it’s a College Football Playoff Semifinal, it will take place Friday, January 15th, 2027. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while it breaks tradition, it’s for the best.

Cut 3 (09) “…be in it.”

The Cotton Bowl, the Peach Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and the Fiesta Bowl will make up the four quarterfinal games. The national title game will be on January 25th.

LSU is ranked number one in the USA Today preseason coaches poll. The Ragin Cajuns are picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt preseason poll. Coach Matt Deggs announced that left-hander Ty Roman will start in the season opener against Missouri State. Coastal Carolina is the preseason favorite, followed by Southern Miss, Troy and Marshall. ULM is picked to finish last.

 

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball looks to bounce back from a loss to Sam Houston on Saturday, as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State tonight. Tech is 5-5 in Conference USA play, but head coach Talvin Hester wants his team to continue improving, as anything can happen in March.

Cut 18 (13)  “…that last game.”

The Ragin Cajuns have been playing better, and they are at James Madison. ULM is still looking for its first Sun Belt win. The Warhawks are at Old Dominion.

Grambling hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Northwestern State takes on East Texas A-and-M.

The Pelicans are at Milwaukee tonight. The Bucks are 10-games under the .500 mark.

Today is the start of college football’s late signing period. Former Archbishop Shaw standout Jackson Williams signed with LSU. He’s a three-star safety.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent….

Cut 27 (11) “…economy”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”

Meanwhile, St. Tammany Parish Councilwoman Kathy Seidan has dropped out of the U-S Senate race.

A 50-year-old Shreveport woman has been charged in the deaths of her grandchildren, who died in a house fir in October. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says Rita Montogmery has been charged with aggravated arson and two counts of second-degree murder…

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way”

45-year-old Alonza Cooksey has also been arrested for her role in the blaze that killed 8-year-old Aliyah Spearman and five-year-old Danielle Robinson.

St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.

Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”

The remaining federal funding will go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A survey conducted by New Orleans pollster Greg Rigamer finds Congresswoman Julia Letlow leading Senator Bill Cassidy 57 to 22 percent in a head to head matchup. The survey also finds that only 22-percent of Republican primary voters believe Cassidy deserves reelection. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy, who has been around Louisiana politics for decades, says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow is a key factor.

Cut 9 (07)  “…anybody overcoming that.”

Ashy organized fundraisers for both Letlow and Governor Landry during Washington Mardi Gras.

Two women have been arrested in the deaths of an eight-year-old and five year old girls who died in a Shreveport house fire last October. One of the women arrested is 50-year-old Rita Montgomery, who is the grandmother of both children. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says his heart with the families…

Cut 15 (10) “…not forget them”

Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein has announced that SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits to help them make ends meet after the ice storm

Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”

Governor Jeff Landry says small business disaster loans are also available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

The largest single flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward in St Tammany Parish as a result of nearly four-million dollars in federal money that the parish is receiving. Parish spokesperson Michael Vinsaneau says the start of construction is  still several years away, the securing of the federal funds advances the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project and the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project…

Cut 12 (12) “….your next step”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The USA Today Baseball Coaches poll ranks LSU as the number one team in the country. The Tigers are ranked ahead of UCLA, Texas, Georgia Tech and Arkansas. There are nine SEC teams ranked in the Top 25.

The Sugar Bowl will not be played on New Year’s Day weekend next college football season. That’s because the Sugar Bowl will be a College Football Playoff semifinal game and will be played on Friday, January 15th. The national title game will be on January 26th.

Today is the start of college football’s late signing period. Former Archbishop Shaw standout Jackson Williams is expected to sign at LSU. He’s a three-star safety. LSU is also adding JUCO offensive lineman Adrian Lamb, who selected the Tigers over Bama and Georgia.

And the son of former LSU star Chad Jones, Chad Jones Junior, will sign at Southern today. He was a star linebacker at St. Aug. Former Ouachita Parish two-way star Wydell Clark is also signing with Southern.

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The Cajuns men’s basketball team is at James Madison tonight. During the non-conference, U-L Lafayette lost ten in a row, but lately the Cajuns have been playing better, winners of three of their last four. Coach Quannas White says his players never stopped believing….

Cut 17 (06) “…go to work”

Louisiana Tech looks to go to 6-5 in Conference USA action as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State today. DJ Dudley has scored 20 or more points in four straight games. Coach Talvin Hester says Dudley is a special player for several reasons…

Cut 19 (16) “…by the day”

Also tonight, ULM is at Old Dominion and Northwestern State hosts East Texas A-and-M.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Depth is one of the major strengths of this year’s LSU baseball team. Fifth-year senior infielder Tanner Reaves says the Tigers’ depth will benefit them in multiple ways this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…play really good.”

LSU sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel was named as a 2026 First-Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America magazine. As a freshman last season, Curiel batted a team-high .345 with 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 55 RBI’s, and 67 runs.

In D1Baseball.com’s list of top-50 college second basemen in the country, LSU senior infielder Brayden Simpson landed at No. 5. In three seasons at High Point, Simpson batted .323 with 46 doubles, two triples, 37 home runs, 136 RBI’s, 143 runs and 29 stolen bases.

Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien will remain in New Orleans, despite interviewing for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position earlier this week, according to Jordan Schultz. Tolzien will continue to play a pivotal role in developing quarterback Tyler Shough.

Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett interviewed for the passing game coordinator position with the Steelers, but will also remain in New Orleans.

Last night, the McNeese State men’s basketball team fell to Stephen F. Austin 67-60 as the Lumberjacks extended their lead in the Southland to two games.

Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 61-58 in Natchitoches last night to improve to 10- 13 overall and 9-5 in conference play. After losing five consecutive games in January, the Colonels have now won two straight.

UNO extended its win streak to three games last night after defeating East Texas A&M 94-85. With the win, the Privateers are now 10-13 on the season and 8-5 in Southland play.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball is back in action tomorrow as the Cajuns are at James Madison at 6 p.m.

3:30 LRN Newscast February 3

State senator Blake Miguez trades in one campaign for another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A fourth person has been arrested in connection with last Saturday’s shooting at a Mardi Gras Parade in East Feliciana Parish that injured six people, including a six-year-old child. Sheriff Jeff Travis says 21-year-old Kameron Barfield of Baker was booked on attempted second-degree murder charges. Authorities are also looking to arrest 18-year-old D’Tryelin White.

 

According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The state’s smoking rate is 16-percent, sixth highest in the nation.

The United Way has launched the Family Relief Effort to support households facing unexpected financial hardship because of the ice storm. Marketing and Communications Director, Meghan Jones, says they began accepting applications for financial assistance Saturday morning; and within two hours, they received two thousand applications.

Cut 14 (07) “…an overwhelming need.”

Go the United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s website for more information.

LRN PM Newscall February 3

State senator Blake Miguez trades in one campaign for another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with Rainbow Trout. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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According to the American Lung Association’s latest annual State of Tobacco Control report, Louisiana either has room for improvement or is failing, depending on the metric. It gives Louisiana Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes and flavored tobacco products. Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says that may explain Louisiana’s relatively high rate of lung cancer.

Cut 3 (08) “…adult smoking rate.”

The report gives Louisiana Cs in smokefree air and access to cessation services. Weinzettle says low dose CT lung cancer screening tests are covered under insurance for those who are considered to be high-risk for lung cancer.

Cut 4 (12) “…last 15 years.”

Weinzettle says based on the low number of those people who get those scans, the state needs to do a much better job in informing them that it’s covered by insurance.

Cut 5 (06) “…low-dose CT scans.”

The American Lung Association is calling on the state to, among other things, increase tobacco prevention and quit tobacco funding to compensate for any uncertainty at the federal level and to strengthen the existing smoke-free law to include bars and casinos.

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A campaign detour for Blake Miguez just before the start of qualifying. The state senator from New Iberia announced on social media today that he’s ending his run for U.S. Senate and is instead running for U.S. House in the fifth district – the seat being vacated by Julia Letlow. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says after President Trump endorsed Letlow last month, Miguez saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 6 (07) “…for her seat.”

Like the race for U.S. Senate, Miguez will face a crowded field in that congressional race as well, with Rick Edmonds, Misti Cordell and Dixon McMakin officially announcing runs for that seat, with several more expected to also enter. Pinsonat says this underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been for Louisiana. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

Miguez is the second candidate to drop out of the race for the Republican Senate nomination in the wake of Trump’s endorsement, following Julie Emerson’s withdrawal, and Pinsonat says he doubts Miguez will be the last.

Cut 8 (11) “…the president’s lead.”

What’s notable is that Miguez doesn’t even live in the fifth district. Pinsonat says when it comes to the U.S. House, that doesn’t matter – the only thing that matters is that the candidate lives in the state.

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LDWF plans to complete this week the stocking of adult-size Rainbow Trout at 17 community ponds across the state. Joshua Porter, who is a fisheries outreach biologist, says they stock ponds with Rainbow Trout, where anglers can fish along the bank…

Cut 9 (09)  “…time of the year.”

LDWF stocks Rainbow Trout during the winter months when water temperatures are cool enough for them to thrive. Porter says Rainbow Trout are native to rivers and lakes of western North America, their popularity as a sport fish has led to stocking programs across the country…

Cut 10 (06) “…from anglers.”

Porter says anglers are encouraged to keep their catch, as the trout are meant to be harvested before temperatures begin to rise…

Cut 11 (11) “…reproduce.”

Go to LDWF’s Get out and Fish Facebook page for more information and you can also find this information on LDWF’s main website, just search for Get Out and Fish.