8:30 LRN Newscast

The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges reports there’s a lot of speculation on what Congresswoman Julia Letlow does next. Will she run for re-election next year, will she seek to become the next president of LSU, or will she run for U-S Senate and challenge incumbent Bill Cassidy in next April’s Republican Party Primary? Bridges says Letlow would not speak to him for this article, but he spoke with dozens of others…

Cut 6 (13) “…Senator Cassidy.”

Last week, Governor Landry cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, a three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project. The project is being replaced with the Myrtle Grove project, which Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says will achieve the goal in a much more cost-effective way.

Cut 15 (11) “…growth is good.”

A Morgan City woman is working on a feature film about the first woman ever executed in the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former high school football star from New Orleans was fatally shot over the weekend in Tennessee. Last December, Corey Adams helped Edna Karr win a state title and he was preparing for his freshman season at Ole Miss, but Tennessee authorities say Adams was one of five people shot just outside of Memphis. He was the only one to succumb to his wounds, the others are listed in non-critical condition. No arrests have been made.

 

07:30 LRN Newscast

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is one of the most well-liked politicians in the state and she’s facing a big decision according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

The debate continues over the decision to end the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, a $3 billion coastal restoration project. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wishes the state spent its time and money on other projects…

Cut 14 (11) “…protecting our coast”

Former Congressman Garret Graves says it’s a huge mistake not to go through with the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project.

Did you know that Ada Leboeuf was the first woman executed in Louisiana and there are plans to do a feature film on her story? Leboeuf was hanged in St. Mary Parish in 1929 along with her family physician, Doctor Tom Dreher, in connection with the murder or her husband. Morgan City filmmaker Matison LeBlanc and her team produced a 15-minute short and it was a huge hit…

Cut 8 (09) “…can happen”

LeBlanc is moving forward with the full-length feature film but is seeking five to seven million dollars in financing. She says the state’s 40-percent film tax incentive will help.

The voice of Ragin Cajuns athletics on ESPN-plus, Dan McDonald, is excited that Louisiana Tech is joining the Sun Belt…

Cut 12 (08) “…great deal”

Tech will join the Sun Belt in either 2026 or 2027, and their natural rivals will be ULM, the Cajuns and Southern Miss.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Lafayette’s Dustin Poirier’s final UFC fight ended on Saturday night in New Orleans with a loss to Max Holloway. Holloway won by unanimous decision. Poirier’s 16-year professional career ends with him tied for the fifth-most wins in UFC history with 22. Poirier on his legacy…

Cut 30 (18) “…know the author”

Tragedy has hit the Edna Karr football program as one of their former players was killed in Cordova, Tennessee on Saturday night. Corey Adams helped Karr win a state championship last season and he was found fatally shot in a vehicle outside of a residence. He was set to play at Ole Miss this year.

 

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and second-round pick and quarterback Tyler Shough finally signed a contract on Saturday. Shough has a fully guaranteed deal worth nearly 11 million dollars. Shough was the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and he’s the last player selected to receive a fully guaranteed contract.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Eyanson has signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox Organization. The third-round pick received a one-point-seven-million-dollar signing bonus, nearly a million dollars higher than the slot value.

 

There’s excitement around the state for Louisiana Tech’s entrance into the Sun Belt Conference. The television play-by-play announcer for Ragin Cajuns Athletics Dan McDonald says the natural rivalries are already established…

Cut 11 (12) “…to watch that”

Tech will either enter the Sun Belt before the 2026 season or the 2027.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

A drive-by shooting Sunday afternoon in Ponchatoula claimed the life of 17-year-old Marvin Wells and resulted in two others who were wounded. Police are searching for 19-year-old Julius Glass Junior and 18-year-old Kera Wolbers on murder charges.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser fully supports Governor Landry’s decision to halt the three billion dollar Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Nungesser says it was way too costly…

Cut 13 (13) “…we building it”

Former Congressman Garret Graves says stopping the Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion is a major setback for the coast.

ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LRN AM Newscall July 21

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is one of the most well-liked politicians in the state and she’s facing a big decision according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

____________________________________________

A Morgan City woman is working on a feature film about the first woman ever executed in the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

The LSU presidential search committee is expected to begin its work next month, with the hope of naming a new president by the end of the year. Bridges says Letlow would be an outside-the-box candidate to lead LSU…

Cut 5 (10) “…Monroe.”

Bridges reports Letlow recently moved to Baton Rouge, and her home in Richland Parish is up for sale. Bridges says Letlow would not speak to him for this article, but he spoke with dozens of others, who believe if President Trump endorses Letlow for U-S Senate, she’ll get into the Senate race…

Cut 6 (13) “…Senator Cassidy.”

Senator Cassidy was invited to the White House on Friday to celebrate the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. But the President expressed his displeasure with Cassidy following his 2021 vote to convict Trump for the January sixth attack on the U-S Capitol.

________________________________________________________

A Morgan City filmmaker is developing a feature film about the first woman ever executed in Louisiana. Ada Leboeuf was hanged in St. Mary Parish in 1929, along with her family physician, Dr. Tom Dreher, in connection with the murder of her husband. Matison LeBlanc learned of her story while attending film school at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and decided that she wanted to tell her story in her project entitled “Ada and the Doc.” LeBlanc says Leboeuf had maintained her innocence right up until the moment she was executed.

Cut 7 (07) “…for 15 minutes.”

For her senior year project, LeBlanc and her team produced a 15-minute short, and to say that it was a huge hit is putting it very mildly.

Cut 8 (09) “…thing can happen.”

And that got LeBlanc to move forward with the full-length feature film. The only thing is, it requires money, and it does not grow on trees.

Cut 9 (08)  “…to seven-million.”

LeBlanc is looking to produce “Ada and the Doc” in Louisiana to take advantage of the state’s 40-percent film tax incentive. Her goal is to begin shooting in the summer of 2026 and begin the festival run, including the Cannes Film Festival, in 2027.

________________________________________________________

The fallout from Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt is yet to be seen, but ESPN+ voice of the Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says so far, it’s all positive. While some fans may hold old grudges, McDonald says it’s time university officials let bygones be bygones.

Cut 10 (14) “…people engaged.”

McDonald encouraged fans to keep their passion, however. He says historic, personal rivalries are what have made college football into what it is today, and there’s no better example than the in-state battles LA Tech’s addition will revive.

Cut 11 (12) “…to watch that.”

McDonald says Louisiana Tech makes even more sense geographically than Texas State did. In an era of national conference realignment and expansion, he says the Sun Belt is built to stay together.

Cut 12 (08) “…great deal.”

LA Tech will make the official move in 2026 or 2027

________________________________________________________

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is hailing the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The lieutenant governor, who was the president of Plaquemines Parish before being elected to his current office, says the project was ineffective as the budget soared into the stratosphere.

Cut 13 (13)  “…we building it?”

Nungesser says not only was the project a waste of money, but it was also a waste of time.

Cut 14 (12) “…protecting our coast.”

The project is being replaced with a smaller scale project called the Myrtle Grove project, which Nungesser says will achieve the goal in a much more cost-effective way.

Cut 15 (11) “…growth is good.”

Former Congressman Garret Graves once led the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. In a statement, he says the cancellation will result in one of the largest setbacks for the coast and the protection of coastal communities in decades.

________________________________

12:30 LRN Newscast

Republicans had been screaming for it for years; and finally, they got it – they have cut off all federal funding for PBS and NPR. Stripping more than one-billion dollars from public TV and radio is now awaiting President Trump’s signature. Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says this is devastating to all NPR stations, especially his.

Cut 9 (10)  “…145-thousand dollars.”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy was among the Republicans who led the push to cut off federal funding to public broadcasting. In several floor speeches, including Wednesday, Kennedy said the broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded more than 50 years ago.

Cut 11 (11) “…that are left.”

Kennedy says N-P-R’s programming is biased and they have the right to report it, but not with taxpayer money.

 

The National Lieutenant Governor’s Association is meeting in Nevada and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is there…

Cut 4 (12) “…do with that”

Nungesser says they started the new State Strategies Committee on Aerospace, which will advance aerospace, aviation and defense policy in the states and territories.

Lafayette’s Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier will call it a career tomorrow night with a UFC Championship Fight against Max Holloway. After 39 UFC fights and a 16-year professional career, Poirier says he’s content with where the journey has brought him. He says, “Titles are great, but this experience is worth more than that.”

Cut 8 (10) “…in a good spot.”

The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The state made it official yesterday – the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project is cancelled. The three-billion-dollar coastal restoration project is being replaced with a smaller scale version.

Last November, Governor Landry told the Senate Transportation Committee the project was destroying certain aspects of Louisiana’s culture.

Cut 11 (14) “…to oyster fish.”

Charles Sutcliffe with the National Wildlife Federation is disappointed especially about the money that has already been invested in the project up to this point.

Cut 12 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

Landry says while a lot of the money for the project would come from the settlement from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement, continuing the project would cost money the state doesn’t have.

 

Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career tomorrow night versus Max Holloway. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

Poirier has defeated Holloway twice before. The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Cut 3 (06) “…and share ideas.”

Nungesser says he will bring home some new tourism marketing ideas that he picked up from Nevada and he says office will continue the fight against litter.

10:30 LRN Newscast

In a widely-anticipated move, the state has cancelled the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 29 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We are only seeing some light showers along Louisiana’s coast, but south Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch through Saturday night. According to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, expect one to three inches of rainfall with localized heavier amounts over six inches of rain.

 

U-L Lafayette athletics has set up a “Cajuns Edge” fund through the Ragin Cajun athletic foundation to allow fans and businesses help fund revenue sharing. Following the NCAA House settlement, schools are allowed to pay up to 20.5-million dollars directly to athletes. Deputy athletics director Trey Frazier says the department has allocated some state funds to revenue sharing and increased scholarships included in the settlement, but most of the budget will come from donors.

Cut 28 (11) “…starting point.”

There have been more measles cases in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 than any full year since 2000. But U-S Senator and physician Bill Cassidy says fortunately, the spike in cases seems to have subsided.

Cut 15 (10) “…actually getting vaccinated.”

6:45 LRN sportscast

I’m Colleen Crain, and this sports cast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health. When gambling is more than a game, no one wins.

Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman took the podium on the last day of SEC Media Days yesterday. The fifth-year head coach has three bowl victories but hasn’t posted a winning SEC record or reached nine wins since 2021. Pittman didn’t deny the annual conversations about his job security.

Cut 19 (15) “…win more games.”

Pittman and the Razorbacks will visit LSU November 15th.

Saints legend Drew Brees will be returning to the broadcast booth for a one-time appearance this season. The former New Orleans quarterback will be working as a Netflix game analyst for one of the service’s Christmas Day games- either the Cowboys versus Commanders at noon or the Lions-Vikings afternoon matchup.

_____________________________________________________

UL-Lafayette has launched the “Cajuns Edge” Fund through the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation to allow fans to support revenue sharing in Lafayette. Schools can share up to 20.5 million dollars annually with their athletes. Deputy athletics director Trey Frazier says UL-Lafayette will not pay out the full 20.5-million dollars. He says in the early stages of fundraising, most of the revenue will go toward ticketed sports.

Cut 9 (08)  “…his goals there.”

Grambling is picked to finish fifth in the SEC West under second-year head coach Mickey Joseph. The Tigers went 5-and-7 last year. Joseph says it takes time to rebuild, but he has a sense of urgency.

Cut 18 (17) “…I accept that.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Alexandria native and Louisiana Tech senior Emma Foltz was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for her role in safely evacuating 14 young girls from flash flooding at Camp Mystic in Texas. Governor Jeff Landry says it is the highest honor to bestow on a civilian.

Cut 9 (13)  “…and compassion.”

Foltz says once they found out the news, their main focus was keeping the girls entertained, safe and healthy.

South Louisiana is under a flood watch until Saturday night. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the nexus of the storm is currently off the coast of Mississippi…

Cut 12 (10) “…around on Sunday”

The president of Lafourche Parish is moving on next month to lead a new state office tasked with improving highway construction efficiency. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former state lawmaker and current BESE member Paul Hollis has been nominated by President Trump to run the U-S Mint, which makes the nation’s coins. The U-S Senate will have to confirm his nomination. Hollis, who is from St. Tammany, is a coin collector and has been since his grandmother gave him a Peace Dollar from the Great Depression.