11:40 LRN Sportscast

Multiple reports say LSU has zeroed in on Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as its next head football coach. On Monday, sources say LSU sent a private plane to Oxford, Mississippi, and flew several members of Kiffin’s family down to Baton Rouge so that his ex-wife, Layla Kiffin, can tour the city.

There are reports that Ole Miss has given Kiffin a deadline of November 28th to make a decision about his future. The Rebels have offered a contract extension to Kiffin, who has yet to agree to it. Florida is also courting Kiffin.

Wilson Alexander covers LSU football for the Advocate and says it’s possible Kiffin could leave Ole Miss before the Rebels begin their run through the College Football playoffs…

Cut 11 (13) “…other jobs”

Ole Miss is 10-1 on the season and have an open date this Saturday before they play the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on November 29th.

 

The LSU football team is getting ready to play Western Kentucky and interim head coach Frank Wilson said it’s too early in the week to tell if Garrett Nussmeier will be able to play this Saturday. Nussmeier missed the win over Arkansas because he re-aggravated his ab injury and Michael Van Buren made his first start in a Tiger uniform. Van Buren threw for 221 yards and a touchdown against the Razorbacks. Wilson says they kept the game plan simple for the sophomore, but it took him a while to settle into his first start.

Cut 17 (16)  “…that he did.”

The fifth ranked LSU women’s basketball team defeated Tulane 101 to 71 last night to improve to 5-0 on the season.

The Pelicans lost to the Thunder 126 to 109 last night.

LSU men’s basketball hosts Alcorn State tonight. The Cajuns are at Stanford, Northwestern State visits San Francisco, Grambling is at San Diego and Southern faces Washington in Seattle.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Speculation Lane Kiffin could leave Ole Miss for LSU or Florida has ramped up after members of Kiffin’s family visited Baton Rouge. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein”

The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team broke the century mark for the fifth time last night to improve to 5-and-0 on the season. The Lady Tigers trounced Tulane 101-71. Flau’jae Johnson had 22 points.

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A former UNO basketball player owns up to his mistake. Dae Dae Hunter appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and admitted to his role in a point-shaving scandal. The NCAA has permanently banned all three players. Hunter admitted he was in on it.

Cut 13 (08)  “…miss a couple.”

Hunter told Good Morning America that he did it so that he could get money to care for his newborn child.

LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry is showing flashes of becoming a really good player. Interim head coach Frank Wilson says it takes time for freshmen to shine…

Cut 18 (18) “…bear itself”

Wilson doesn’t know if quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will star this Saturday against Western Kentucky.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Frank Wilson became the first black coach to lead LSU football to a victory and Michael Van Buren won his first SEC start after going 0-and-7 for Mississippi State last season. The Tigers defeated Arkansas 23-22 on Saturday. Van Buren shook off a slow start to throw for 221 yards and a touchdown. Wilson says Van Buren got more confident as the game went on.

Cut 15 (13) “…times as well.”

It’s unknown if Garrett Nussmeier will be able to play this Saturday in the home finale against Western Kentucky.

New coach, same result. Saturday morning, the Pelicans fired Head Coach Willie Green after the team lost ten of their first 12 games, many by lopsided scores. In the first game under interim coach James Borrego last night, the Pelicans fell to the Golden State Warriors, 124-106.

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Louisiana Tech had just 167 yards of offense in a 28-3 loss to Washington State on Saturday. Coach Sonny Cumbie’s team still needs one more win to become bowl eligible and they’ll try to get that victory this Saturday at home against Liberty…

Cut 18 (21) “…next week”

ULM lost its sixth straight as the Warhawks fell to South Alabama 26-14.

Northwestern State lost its tenth straight as the Demons gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter and lost to Nicholls 26-21.

McNeese gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and lost to UTRGV 28-13. And despite finishing with an 8-3 record, Louisiana Christian did not get into the NAIA playoffs.

LRN AM Newscall November 16

More than 12-thousand drivers who have auto insurance through Allstate will see a decrease in auto insurance premiums next year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A new report finds military spending was up 77-percent during fiscal year 2024 compared to a previous report conducted four years earlier. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Lafourche Parish School Board is coming under very heavy criticism for how it handled an incident involving boys sharing A-I nude photos of female classmates. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (42) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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About 12-thousand drivers who have auto insurance through Allstate will see a decrease on their auto insurance premium next year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the has approved a seven-percent rate decrease for Allstate North American Insurance Company and a 15-percent decrease for Encompass Insurance Company of America’s National General program. Temple says this good news…

Cut 4 (11) “…insurance companies.”

ANAIC and Encompass are both Allstate companies. Temple says the recent tort reform efforts are showing insurance providers that the state is committed to creating a healthier market for both consumers and insurers.

Temple says the insurance industry has told him if Louisiana can decrease the frivolous lawsuits and outrageous settlements it will result in lower auto insurance rates…

Cut 5 (09) “…following year.”

Temple says there are signs auto insurance rates are starting to come down for drivers, but more work is needed to address commercial auto insurance…

Cut 6 (10) “…individual consumer.”

Expect to see more auto insurance reform legislation when lawmakers meet for the regular session in the spring.

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Military-related spending in Louisiana generated more than 17-billion dollars in total economic activity during fiscal year 2024, a 77-percent increase since 2021. That’s according to a new report from Louisiana Economic Development. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says employment has also risen 52-percent with more than 117-thousand jobs that’s contributing to the state and local economy…

Cut 7 (08) “…from it.”

Louisiana has five military installations. Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier Parish, a naval air station in Belle Chasse and Fort Polk in Leesville. Meginley says Fort Polk is a major driver of central Louisiana’s economy…

Cut 8 (13) “…central Louisiana.”

Meginley says the report shows notable expansion in the state’s defense sector since the previous study four years ago…

Cut 9 (10)  “…national security.”

Recently Bollinger Shipyards was awarded a major U-S Navy contract to construct six Arctic Security Cutters at facilities in Lockport. And VRC Metal Systems will build a new maintenance facility at Barksdale that will provide advanced repair capabilities for B-52 aircraft.

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The Lafourche Parish School Board is coming under fire for how it handled an incident in which a group of boys shared A-I nude images of female classmates. One of them had been expelled for hitting a boy on a school bus who had shared an image of her. Her family’s lawyers gave the school board an earful this month. Benjamin Comeaux told the board her school, Sixth Ward Middle School in Thibodaux, prevented her from seeking help.

Cut 10 (07) “…she was told.”

Another of the family’s lawyers, Gregory Miller, told the board after the girl’s pleas to the school for help fell on deaf ears, she was placed on the same bus as one of the boys who had been bullying her, and that’s when she took matters into her own hands.

Cut 11 (11) “…okay with that?”

Miller told the school board that it had punished the wrong person.

Cut 12 (06) “…that from her.”

The girl’s father, who Louisiana Radio Network is not naming, told the board that his daughter went through depression so severe that he had to hire a counselor, and that her punishment was way overboard given the circumstances.

Cut 13 (07)  “…in her life.”

The board eventually reduced the girl’s expulsion to a suspension in the length that she had already spent out of the classroom and allowed her to immediately return. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged one boy for sharing those images, and more charges are likely.

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LSU’s three-game losing streak is over, and Frank Wilson gets his first win as the Tigers’ interim head coach. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, the Tigers maintained their composure and beat Arkansas Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, 23-22. During his postgame news conference, Wilson said he talked to his team before the game about how nothing would come easy, and this game was the epitome of that.

Cut 14 (16) “…that you get.”

Just before the game, Garrett Nussmeier was ruled out, so sophomore Michael Van Buren got his first start, and he completed 21 out of 31 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw any interceptions but was sacked four times. Wilson said Van Buren got off to a shaky start but got more confident as the game went on.

Cut 15 (13) “…times as well.”

Van Buren says this is a win he will not soon forget.

Cut 16 (12) “…just feels amazing.”

With the win, LSU is now bowl eligible. They wrap up their home schedule Saturday against Western Kentucky; kickoff is at 6:45. Their final regular-season game is a week later at Oklahoma.

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Stephen F Austin won the Southland Conference on Saturday, but Southeastern Louisiana is still alive for an at-large FCS playoff spot after beating UIW 10-7. It was a good win for Coach Frank Scelfo’s team after losing the week before to Lamar….

Cut 17 (19)  “…we did.”

The Lions are 8-3 and wrap up the regular season on Thursday by hosting Nicholls in the River Bell Classic.

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Louisiana Tech had just 167 yards of offense in a 28-3 loss to Washington State on Saturday. Coach Sonny Cumbie’s team still needs one more win to become bowl eligible, and they’ll try to get that victory this Saturday at home against Liberty…

Cut 18 (21)  “…next week.”

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ULM jumped out to a 14-0 lead on South Alabama, but ended up losing to the Jaguars 26-14. That’s six straight losses for Coach Bryant Vincent’s team, and they are having a hard time staying away from beating themselves…

Cut 19 (17) “…fourth down.”

The Warhawks are at Texas State this Saturday.

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Nicholls won its final home game of the season, beating rival Northwestern State 26-21. Redshirt freshman running back Shane Lee had a career-high 134 yards rushing and three TDs. Coach Tommy Rybacki will finish Southland play with at least a 500 record after finding a way to get a victory over the Demons…

Cut 20 (17) “…the season.”

The Colonels visit Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated an abdominal injury he sustained in preseason camp, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. Nussmeier is listed as probable, but Wilson says if Nussmeier’s injury is more problematic than what they thought, Michael Van Buren will make his first start in a Tiger uniform…

Cut 12 (11) “…his progress.”

Tomorrow is the final home game of the season for the ULM Warhawks as they will take on South Alabama. Warhawks Coach Bryant Vincent…

Cut 14 (06) “…where we’re at”

The Warhawks will try to snap a five game losing streak, while South Alabama is 2-7. Kick off is at 2:30.

Grambling State has won four in a row; and last week, fourth string and freshman quarterback Hayden Benoit stepped up for the Tigers, throwing for 220 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Bethune-Cookman. Head coach Mickey Joseph had lots of praise for the freshman out of Loreauville.

Cut 20 (19) “…just didn’t blink.”

Grambling is at Alcorn State at two tomorrow afternoon.

The high school football playoffs begin in earnest tonight. St. Charles Catholic is the top seed in the Division Two Select bracket. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says he likes the Comets to make it to at least the semifinals, but he says to watch out for the number-two Loyola Prep Flyers.

Cut 17 (14)  “…good Flyers team.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated an abdominal injury he sustained in preseason camp, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. Wilson says if Nussmeier’s injury is more severe than originally thought, Michael Van Buren will start at Q-B…

Cut 12 (11) “…his progress.”

This week, Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder was indicted on felony charges as Attorney General Liz Murrill accused Schexnayder of stealing a rare state artifact. A 20-foot-long cypress board harvested from a tree believed to be more than one-thousand years old. It was last seen hanging in Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales. But Schexnayder says he didn’t take it and does not know where it is. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says unless there’s evidence Schexnayder took the board, it’s hard to prove guilt…

Cut 11 (08) “…for her”

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana, and Andrew Greenstein has a couple ways you can save money.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Tomorrow it’s the state volleyball championships in Lafayette. Westminster Christian who was seeking a fourth straight appearance in the state finals, was defeated today in five sets, losing to Central Catholic of Morgan City. The Eagles advance to face Country Day, who has won nine consecutive Division V state titles.

LRN PM Newscall

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana, and Andrew Greenstein has a couple ways you can save money.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Indicting him is one thing; convicting him may be another story. Jeff Palermo has more on the difficulty of convicting former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder of theft…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana; and if you’re a hockey fan, there’s a special deal for you this weekend. Russell Adams with the State Fair tells KEEL if you go to the fair Friday or Saturday, you can get discounted tickets to the Shreveport Mudbugs game at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum.

Cut 3 (11) “…the hockey game.”

And the reverse is true too – if you paid full price to the Mudbugs game either day, you can get into the fair for just five dollars. Sunday is Military Appreciation Day – all veterans and active duty servicemembers get in for free. Adams says on Sunday, there will be a military parade.

Cut 4 (08) “…down our midway.”

Adams says after the parade Sunday will be a special worship service.

Cut 5 (09) “…a good message.”

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A major milestone in St. Tammany Parish as the 56-million-dollar I-12 widening project is completed months ahead of schedule. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the freeway was widened in the Covington-Mandeville area.

Cut 6 (07) “…to LA 1077.”

Mallett says with the growth in St. Tammany Parish, coupled with I-12 being a major freight corridor for trucks going coast to coast, the volume along that stretch of roadway has increased significantly in just the last few years.

Cut 7 (11) “…20-thousand since 2018.”

Mallett says the widening of I-12 will have many more benefits beyond simply being able to more easily get from point A to point B.

Cut 8 (07) “…in that area.”

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Louisiana’s former House Speaker, Clay Schexnayder, is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing a rare Louisiana artifact. A 20-foot-long cypress board that used to hang in the halls of the Louisiana State Capitol is missing. It was last seen 18 months ago in Schexnayder’s legislative office in Gonzales.  Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says this will be a tough case to prosecute…

Cut 9 (13)  “…problematic.”

Schexnayder says when he left the office in January 2024, it was still there and he didn’t steal the board. The leasing manager for his office says they did not remove the board.

The Attorney General’s office is prosecuting Schexnayder. A-G Liz Murrill said public officials do not get to keep Louisiana property. Borghardt hopes Murrill spoke with Schexnayder before seeking the indictment…

Cut 10 (09) “…instance.”

Bordhardt says the indictment doesn’t mean anything right now…

Cut 11 (08) “…for her.”

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LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated an abdominal injury he sustained in preseason camp, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. Nussmeier is listed as probable, but Wilson says if Nussmeier’s injury is more problematic than what they thought, Michael Van Buren will make his first start in a Tiger uniform…

Cut 12 (11) “…his progress.”

Saturday’s game could be high scoring. The Razorbacks have one of the worst defenses in college football, but Arkansas QB Taylan Green leads the country in total offense. Wilson on the matchup with the 2-7 Hogs…

Cut 13 (09)  “…can score.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated his abdominal injury he first injured in preseason camp, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. The Razorbacks have one of the worst defenses in college football, but Arkansas quarterback Taylan Green leads the country in total offense. Wilson on the matchup with the 2-7 Hogs…

Cut 13 (10) “…they can score”

Kick off is at 11:45.

The 56-million dollar I-12 expansion project in St. Tammany Parish has been completed, and construction finished several months ahead of schedule. State transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says widening a three and a half mile stretch of I-12 produces a lot of benefits.

Cut 8 (07) “…in that area.”

This is the last weekend of the State Fair of Louisiana, and Andrew Greenstein has a couple ways you can save money.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

In an exclusive interview with Jeff Duncan of the Advocate and the Times-Picayune, Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson says that she has no plans to sell the NFL and NBA franchises. Benson will turn 79 in January, and the plan is for the two teams to be sold to the highest bidder after she dies and 100-percent of the proceeds will be used to improve the community.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU interim head football coach Frank Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has re-aggravated his ab injury that slowed him down earlier this season, but he’s still expected to start against Arkansas tomorrow. Tomorrow’s game could be high scoring. The Razorbacks have one of the worst defenses in college football, but Arkansas quarterback Taylan Green leads the country in total offense, averaging 335 yards a game through the air and on the ground. Wilson on tomorrow’s matchup with the 2-and-7 Hogs…

Cut 13 (10) “…they can score”

In other action on Saturday, Louisiana Tech is at Washington State, ULM hosts South Alabama, Southeastern Louisiana is at Incarnate Word, Nicholls hosts Northwestern State, McNeese takes on U-T-R-G-V in its home finale, Grambling is at Alcon and Louisiana Christian is at 11th ranked Ottawa University in Arizona and a win for the Wildcats they can clinch a share of the SAC Championships.

 

The high school football playoffs kicked off last night and St. Mary’s went down to south Louisiana and defeated St. John’s of Plaquemine 30-14. Bonnabel beat Riverdale 28-14. The Bruins are led by former LSU Tiger Andre Anthony and it is their first playoff win since 1997.

Plenty more high school playoff games tonight and Andre Champagne has this preview of the select side of the bracket…

Cut 30 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne

11:30 LRN Newscast

It’s high school football playoff time as there are several games around the state tonight. In Division three select, Lafayette Christian is the top seed. Spencer Verrett of the LHSAA Network says the Knights are one of the most battle-tested teams in the state….

Cut 18 (15) “….at the six seed”

Tonight’s LHSAA Network Game of the Week is Airline at Westgate.

Governor Jeff Landry made the radio rounds this week and was a guest on  WRKF’s Talk Louisiana. Landry says he is not involved in the search for Brian Kelly’s replacement, but he hopes the university sets the standard for what a contract should look like for a football coach.

Cut 15 (09) “…some performance basis.”

LSU football hosts Arkansas tomorrow.

 

If you want to be a part of the biggest rock band on Earth, you have an open invitation to audition – no professional experience necessary. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is preparing to distribute 100-percent of the federal SNAP funds to eligible recipients, including able-bodied adults, within a week. Beginning next week, full federal benefits will be paid to eligible SNAP households that have not received November benefits.