3:30 LRN Newscast

Franklinton senator Beth Mizell does not like seeing more and more school systems moving to a four-day school week…

Cut 11 (14) “…of their day”

The Senate has approved Mizzell’s bill that prevents a school system from moving to a four-day school week, unless they are an “A” graded system. There are 17 school districts in Louisiana with four-day school weeks.

A bill to prohibit the use of eminent domain when it comes to carbon capture projects was defeated in the House Natural Resources Committee. The oil and gas industry opposes the measure and New Orleans litigation attorney Lauren Mastio also spoke in opposition…

Cut 14 (12) “…legal necessity”

Rural residents and environmentalists are concerned about capturing carbon dioxide in the air and then storing it underground, which is why the bill was filed.

A proposed constitutional amendment limiting governors to two total terms takes its next step on its journey towards the ballot….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Artemis II is heading to the moon today. Its propellant tanks were built at Michoud Assembly Plant in New Orleans. NASA spokesperson Craig Betbeze…

Cut 3 (12) “….into orbit”

LRN PM Newscall April 1

It’s a big day for NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans as the rocket factory played a significant role in the construction of Artemis Two, which is headed to the moon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A proposed constitutional amendment limiting governors to two total terms takes its next step on its journey towards the ballot. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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NASA is launching a spaceship to the moon today and NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans played a major role in the Artemis II mission. NASA spokesperson Craig Betbeze says both of Artemis II’s propellant tanks were built at the rocket factory in New Orleans east…

Cut 3 (12) “…into orbit.”

The Artemis II crew has four astronauts and they will loop around the moon. It’s the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. The astronauts will be in what’s called the Orion Crew Module, which was designed by NASA and Lockheed Martin. Betbeze says about two-thousand workers at Lockheed had a role in the construction of this spaceship…

Cut 4 (07) “…second to none.”

For more than 60 years, NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and it’s known as “America’s rocket factory.” The government-owned manufacturing facility is one of the largest in the world. When NASA had the Space Shuttle, its external tank was built at Michoud. Betbeze says when the Space Shuttle was retired in 2010, the factory transitioned to the Artemis program…

Cut 5 (10) “…pickup trucks.”

In 2028, NASA plans on putting astronauts back on the moon and the spacecraft that will take them their will have many of its essential components built at Michoud.

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A proposed constitutional amendment to limit governors to two terms takes the next step in the legislature. Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s bill passed in the House Governmental Affairs Committee on a vote of 11-to-2. Under current law, governors who serve two terms can run for re-election after sitting out for four years. Bayham says former governors start with an unfair advantage.

Cut 6 (06) “…in the race.”

Bayham says that unfair advantage is one of the reasons why it took a future governor, Kathleen Blanco, longer to be elected governor, noting that she originally ran for governor in 1991.

Cut 7 (07) “…ending her campaign.”

In 1991, Edwards had served three non-consecutive terms and had been out of office four years after being unseated by Buddy Roemer. That year, he flipped the script and unseated Roemer in the primary and beat David Duke in a runoff that garnered national attention to secure his fourth – and ultimately final – term.

New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd was one of the two on the committee who voted “no.” She said it shouldn’t be up to statute to decide who gets elected governor and who doesn’t. 

Cut 8 (09) “…vote for him.”

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A state senator’s quest to prevent additional school districts from adopting four-day school weeks advances to the House. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill passed the State Senate on a vote of 35-to-one, with Eddie Lambert of Gonzales casting the lone “no” vote. Mizell says she filed a bill last year mandating a five-day school week; at that time, there were six districts with four-day weeks.

Cut 9 (12)  “…four-day school weeks.”

Mizell says four-day school weeks create logistical problems, including in her own district.

Cut 10 (10) “…nothing to eat.”

Mizell says she’s also concerned about the effects a four-day school week will have on academic achievement, especially with the state showing tremendous improvement in recent years.

Cut 11 (14) “…of their day.”

There are exceptions in Mizell’s bill – districts with a performance score of “A” from the Department of Education will be allowed to pursue a four-day week if they choose to, and those already on four-day weeks can continue with that arrangement.

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A bill that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for carbon capture storage and pipeline projects was rejected by the House Natural Resources Committee on a vote of 12 to 7. Lawmakers approved legislation in 2020 that gave the government the power to use eminent domain for carbon capture and Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association president Tommy Faucheux says you can’t turn back now…

Cut 12 (12) “…to invest.”

According to the Environmental Integrity Project, Louisiana leads the nation with 65 planned carbon capture projects.

The technology captures carbon dioxide produced by industrial factories and then it’s stored underground into large storage tanks.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson spoke passionately in front of the House Natural Resources Committee about his bill that would put the power back with the property owner

Cut 13 (09) “…in the ground.”

New Orleans Attorney Lauren Mastio spoke in opposition to Johnson’s bill…

Cut 14 (12) “…legal necessity.”

Johnson argues that eminent domain should only be used for public purposes, like building a new road, a school or flood protection. He says eminent domain should not be used to benefit private industry and claims its against the state constitution…

Cut 15 (10) “…our constitution.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

NASA is launching its first spaceship to the moon today and NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility in New Orleans played a major role in the Artemis II mission. NASA spokesperson Craig Betbeze says both of Artemis II’s propellant tanks were built at the rocket factory in New Orleans east…

Cut 3 (12) “…into orbit”

The Artemis II crew has four astronauts and they will loop around the moon. It’s the first crewed lunar mission since 1972.

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says of the four stress dimensions it looked at, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of them.

Cut 14 (09) “…safety-related stress.”

Lupo says Louisiana ranks as the most stressed state in large part because it has the highest poverty rate in the country and 16-percent of its residents haven’t seen a doctor in over a year due to the cost.

 

Former wildlife and fisheries secretary Jack Mountoucet of Lafayette Parish faces up to five years in prison after he pleaded guility for his involvement in a kickback scheme. Assistant US Attorney LaDonte Murphy says Montoucet worked with two other individuals to make sure a Lafayette businessman, known as Leonard Franques, received a state contract to conduct online hunting and boating courses…

Cut 10 (10) “..for that scheme”

Montoucet will be sentenced on June 30th.

A seafood advocacy group says its audit of restaurants along the U.S. 190 corridor between Krotz Springs and Kinder, discovered that nine were serving imported shrimp, but telling customers the shrimp was domestically caught. SeaD consulting Co-Founder David Williams says at each stop, they explicitly asked about the origin of the shrimp.

Cut 11 (09) “…telling the truth.”

It is against the law for a restaurant or store to say they are selling domestic seafood, when in fact they are selling imported seafood.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Steven Milam homered twice from both sides of the plate and Derek Curiel hit a grand slam as LSU rallied from five runs down to beat Southern 16 to 6. John Pearson had another big day with a home run and four runs driven in.

ULM scored eight runs in the fourth inning on its way to a 14 to 3 win over Louisiana Tech in Ruston. The Warhawks had 17 hits, and they were led by catcher Marcus Aranda, who had a home run and drove in four runs.

For the second time this season, Southeastern Louisiana has defeated a team ranked in the Top 10. The Lions went to Hattiesburg last night and defeated eighth-ranked Southern Miss five to one. Brody Capps started the scoring with a two-run homer, and Luke Lirette was the winning pitcher.

Hayden Stringfellow homered twice, and McNeese outscored the Cajuns ten to seven, Tulane topped Nicholls 6-2, UNO over South Alabama two to one, and Mississippi State blanked Grambling 12 to nothing.

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One of Lane Kiffin’s first moves as LSU football coach was retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Kiffin praised Baker’s work over the past two years in Baton Rouge and says he wants the defense to reach a new level this season.

Cut 19 (17) “…used to be.”

Kiffin announced former Evangel star and redshirt sophomore defensive end Gabriel Reliford will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ACL.

U-L Lafayette athletics director Bryan Maggard is one of 13 people who will serve on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Maggard says he can help shine a spotlight on athletics in Lafayette…

Cut 18 (07) “…certainly our university.”

It’s a three-year term for Maggard.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Will Wade was formally introduced as LSU’s new men’s basketball coach during an entertaining press conference yesterday. Wade left North Carolina State after just one season in Raleigh. He says he stopped worrying about public perception long ago and is now embracing the “villain” role in college basketball after making the move to return to Baton Rouge.

Cut 20 (11) “…mistake about that.”

Wade said that he plans to attack the transfer portal when it opens on April 6th.

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey added one of the nation’s top assistant coaches in Gabe Lazo Tuesday, strengthening LSU’s staff with an elite coach and recruiter. Lazo replaces Gary Redus, who recently accepted the head coaching position at Rutgers. He spent the past two seasons at Tennessee as the top assistant to head coach Kim Caldwell and played a key role in securing the Lady Vols’ No. 1 recruiting class in 2025.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin confirmed that sophomore defensive end Gabe Reliford will miss the entire 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL in practice last week. Reliford has now suffered a season-ending injury for the second straight year, following last season’s early finish due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Kiffin says it is a significant loss, particularly in a position room where depth is crucial.

Cut 21 (15): “how he was performing.”

Dr. Bryan Maggard, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Louisiana Lafayette, has been appointed to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee by the CFP Management Committee. Maggard will serve on the 13-member committee for the next three football seasons.

The LSU baseball team looks to extend its win streak to three games tonight when the Tigers take on Southern at 6:30 p.m.

3:30 LRN Newscast

The House Transportation Committee advances legislation that would replace the inspection sticker with a QR code. During the committee discussion, legislators had questions about what the QR code would reveal. OMV Director Bryan Adams says the QR code will only reveal to law enforcement officers the VIN.

Cut 7 (09) “…so forth.”

Emissions testing will still be required for residents living in the Baton Rouge area because of a federal air quality order under the Clean Air Act.

The group Restore The Mississippi Delta is out with a new ad campaign touting the benefits of reconnecting the Mississippi River to coastal wetlands. The digital and streaming ads feature a casino theme that notes that by canceling two major sediment diversion projects, Governor Landry is putting people’s livelihoods at risk.

Cut 3 (09) “…everyone loses.”

 

The Alliance for Affordable Energy is weighing in on the deal between Entergy and Meta that they say will save customers more than two-billion dollars.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The House Natural Resources Committee has rejected a bill that would prohibit state government from expropriating property for carbon capture projects. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson argued eminent domain should only be used for public purposes, but the oil and gas industry argued that eminent domain is needed for this important technology.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Will Wade was formally introduced as LSU’s new men’s basketball coach during an entertaining press conference yesterday. Wade says strong alignment and prior working relationships with current LSU president Wade Rousse and incoming senior deputy AD Heath Stroyer will help him build on the success he had at McNeese and elevate it in Baton Rouge.

Cut 18 (17)  “…a national force.”

Saints head coach Kellen Moore spoke to the media at the 2026 NFL owners meeting yesterday, addressing Alvin Kamara’s future for the first time since New Orleans signed Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Moore says he expects Kamara to remain in the running back room in 2026 and believes the entire group of backs can complement each other well.

Cut 16 (10) “…develop this team.”

LSU second baseman Seth Dardar was a force at the plate this past weekend against Kentucky and was named SEC co-hitter of the week. Coach Jay Johnson on Dardar’s season…

Cut 27 (15) “…this weekend”

In the series against Kentucky, Dardar went six for 10 with four doubles, homer 5 RBIs and four runs scored.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Former Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet has pleaded guilty to one felony count for his role in a kickback scheme. Montoucet faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine. Prosecutors say Montoucet agreed to receive financial payments for making sure a company received a statewide contract to provide online courses for sportsmen to resolve LDWF citations.

The Will Wade era, part two, is underway as it took just one press conference from “The General” to get the LSU fan base excited about men’s basketball again. Wade brought the energy during his re-introduction presser inside the Maravich Center…

Cut 19 (09) “…have down here.”

Tiger Rag is reporting Wade is looking at hiring former LSU coach and player Johnny Jones as an assistant.

 

The bill to eliminate the need for owners of personal vehicles to get an inspection sticker has received approval from House Transportation. Instead of an inspection sticker, passenger vehicles would have a sticker with a QR code that would have the vehicle’s VIN number. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the annual cost for the VIN sticker is six-dollars, which is cheaper and not as time consuming as having to get an inspection sticker…

Cut 8 (07) “…little cheaper”

The measure, which has the support of Governor Landry, heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A bill that would require both people in an in-person conversation to know if they are being recorded has passed out of committee. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says some influencers wearing smart glasses approach women and record them without their knowledge, then post the footage online without their knowledge or consent. She says if her bill becomes law, those who violate it would face criminal charges and civil penalties.

Cut 15 (07) “…a civil action.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast March 31

The Will Wade era, part two, is underway as it took just one press conference from “The General” to get the LSU fan base excited about men’s basketball again. Wade brought the energy during his re-introduction presser inside the Maravich Center…

Cut 19 (09) “…have down here.”

Tiger Rag is reporting that Wade will have a couple of former head coaches on his staff, including former LSU Tiger star and head coach Johnny Jones, who will leave his job at Texas Southern. Also, Wade is expected to hire former Mississippi State head coach Rick Stansbury.

In baseball tonight…LSU will host crosstown foe Southern at 6:30. Tiger second baseman Seth Dardar is the co-SEC Hitter of the Week, as he had six hits, including four doubles and a home run in the series win over Kentucky.

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At the NFL owners meetings, Saints coach Kellen Moore was asked about running back Alvin Kamara’s role on the team now that the team signed one-thousand-yard rusher Travis Etienne (Ay-Chan). Moore says Kamara is on the roster, and he can envision using both Kamara and Etienne.

Another major topic for the Saints this offseason is whether they will extend receiver Chris Olave to keep him in New Orleans long-term. Moore says the front office is engaged in ongoing conversations with Olave, noting that several factors go into negotiating a long-term deal.

Cut 17 (16)  “…about his future.

Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard has added a major responsibility as he’s been named to the College Football Playoff selection committee. Maggard will be one of 13 individuals who will select the 12 teams that make the C-F-P.

LRN AM Newscall March 31

With hurricane season now just two months away, insurance companies are urging you to consider putting on a fortified roof. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Entergy Louisiana will build an additional seven new natural-gas fueled power plants to supply the energy needed for Meta’s massive data center its building in Richland Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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New LSU coach Will Wade has already brought excitement back to the men’s basketball program. Andre Champagne has more on what Wade had to say at an entertaining introductory press conference.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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An effort to move Louisiana to a centralized sales tax system is dead for the session. Lafayette Representative Josh Carlson brought his legislation up for discussion in the House Ways and Means Committee and made the argument that it is difficult for small business owners in particular, to deal with multiple tax collectors.

Cut 4 (09) “…it more efficiently.”

Carlson voluntarily withdrew the bill for consideration because of opposition from local governments who are concerned that a centralized sales tax system run by the state would result in fewer tax dollars for local services. Carlson argues they are already missing out on tax revenue, especially from small out of state online retailers.

Cut 5 (09) “…of the complexity.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols told Carlson that when he brings his bill back up for another vote, there needs to be a mechanism in the legislation to make sure local governments do not lose out on revenue.

Cut 6 (08) “…from these collections.”

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With hurricane season just two months away, insurance brokers are urging you to consider putting a fortified roof on your home. Beth Swanson, an analyst with insurance comparison website The Zebra, notes that starting July 1st, insurers will be required to give discounts for homes with fortified roofs; and depending on where you live and the level of fortification, those discounts can be substantial.

Cut 7 (08) “…that they can.”

Swanson says even if your roof doesn’t rise to the level of basic fortification, you can still get a discount on your homeowners insurance if you use certain materials in building your roof.

Cut 8 (09) “…policy for that.”

Swanson says once you put a fortified roof on your house, your insurance company will ensure that you will always have a fortified roof on your house.

Cut 9 (11)  “…to fortified standards.”

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Entergy Louisiana has reached an agreement with Meta to build seven new natural gas-powered plants, plus new transmission lines and nuclear power updates, so that there’s enough electricity to power the massive A-I data center under construction in Richland Parish. Entergy President and CEO Phillip May says the agreement will help keep electricity rates affordable.

Cut 10 (12) “…top of that.”

There are concerns that Meta’s need for a huge amount of power will raise rates for utility customers. May says that will not be the case, and the technology giant is taking steps to make sure low income individuals can pay their bills.

Cut 11 (14) “…provide them assistance.”

May says Meta is also investing 140-million dollars for energy efficiency initiatives for vulnerable customers and providing support for additional solar power plants. May says the project represents a significant opportunity to strengthen grid reliability.

Cut 12 (10) “…of this contract.”

When the Meta project was first announced, Entergy said it would build two natural gas turbines and a third power plant in the Baton Rouge area. Plans to build seven more natural gas powered plants are on top of the original plans.

The Public Service Commission still has to approve this plan for new gas and solar plants.

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The House Civil Law Committee advances a bill that would require both people in an in-person conversation to know if they are being recorded. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel says there’s been a growing trend in which influencers wearing smart glasses approach women and record them without their knowledge, and those clips end up getting posted onto social media.

Cut 13 (11)  “…broadcast to millions.”

Schlegel says this bill is intended to protect those who do not expect to be recorded while in public, so there are exceptions for those who have no reasonable expectation of privacy, such as elected officials or law enforcement officers.

Cut 14 (11) “…and law enforcement.”

Schlegel says if her bill becomes law, those who violate it would not only face criminal charges, but they would also open themselves up to substantial civil penalties.

Cut 15 (07) “…a civil action.”

There are also exceptions for public meetings, emergencies, or situations where footage could capture evidence of a crime.

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Saints head coach Kellen Moore spoke to the media at the 2026 NFL owners meeting yesterday, addressing Alvin Kamara’s future for the first time since New Orleans signed Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Moore says he expects Kamara to remain in the running back room in 2026 and believes the entire group of backs can complement each other well.

Cut 16 (10) “…develop this team.”

Another major topic for the Saints this offseason is whether they will extend wide receiver Chris Olave to keep him in New Orleans long-term. Moore says the front office is engaged in ongoing conversations with Olave, noting that several factors go into negotiating a long-term deal.

Cut 17 (16)  “…about his future.

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Will Wade was formally introduced as LSU’s new men’s basketball coach during an entertaining press conference yesterday. Wade says strong alignment and prior working relationships with current LSU president Wade Rousse and incoming senior deputy AD Heath Stroyer will help him build on the success he had at McNeese and elevate it in Baton Rouge.

Cut 18 (17)  “…a national force.” 

Wade says his teams at LSU will have a dedicated identity.

Cut 19 (09) “…have down here.”

Wade left North Carolina State after just one season in Raleigh. He says he stopped worrying about public perception long ago and is now embracing the “villain” role in college basketball after making the move to return to Baton Rouge.

Cut 20 (11) “…mistake about that.”

Wade said that he plans to attack the transfer portal when it opens April 6th.