12:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s film industry could see a revival following the passage of Senate Bill 232, which updates the state’s film incentive program. Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack says the new law removes outdated caps, including a $20 million limit on production costs and a $3 million per-person payroll cap, aiming to make the state more competitive with international filming locations.

Cut 9 (12)  “…talk to LED.”

Waggenspack says the reforms could attract larger productions and talent.

The LSU baseball team is on its way to Omaha for the College World Series. Hundreds of fans gathered at Alex Box Stadium to wish the team luck…

Cut 4 (09) “…for Omaha”

LSU is seeking its eighth national championship. The Tigers first game is Saturday night at 6 PM.

Small business optimism was up in May, according to the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

A bill allowing pharmacies to sell ivermectin without a prescription is on its way to Gov. Jeff Landry for his signature.  Though approved by the FDA to treat certain parasitic conditions, ivermectin is not authorized for COVID-19 treatment, and experts warn that misuse can lead to severe health issues. But the bill’s sponsor Senator Mike Fesi says he personally used the drug for COVID-19 treatment successfully.

Cut 5 (09) “…got better quickly.”

Small businesses are optimistic, yet cautious. That’s the big takeaway of the latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, which rose slightly last month. NFIB State Director Leah Long says labor and inflation remain pressing issues.  In May, 34-percent of owners reported unfilled job openings, and 86-percent of those hiring said qualified applicants were scarce.

Cut 8 (09) “…is super important.”

 

LSU has had a secret weapon in its run to Omaha and the College World Series. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There might not be a 2025-26 racing season at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, as the owner of the track, Churchhill Downs, has informed the state racing commission of its plans to relinquish its licenses because the state will not provide any subsidy, after the supreme court ruled the track can no longer operate a slot machine called Historic Horse Racing.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 11

The LSU baseball team leaves for Omaha this morning, where they’ll play Arkansas on Saturday night in the opening round of the College World Series. Coach Jay Johnson says fine-tuning their mental preparation is the biggest priority for the players at this moment…

Cut 16 (16) “…in Omaha.”

The Razorbacks are expected to start left-hander pitcher Zach Root. Former LSU star Ben McDonald says the Tigers have struggled against southpaws….

Cut 27 (13) “…someways”

First pitch is at 6 PM.

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Day one of Saints minicamp is in the books. Head Coach Kellen Moore says he’s impressed by the play of the leading candidates to be the next starting quarterback — Tyler Shough (“shuck”) and Spencer Rattler.

Cut 19 (16) “…ask for them.”

D-1 Baseball is reporting Memphis assistant Ford Pemberton will likely be the new head coach at ULM.  Belhaven head coach Andrew Gipson will reportedly be the new head coach at UNO. And LSU assistant and recruiting coordinator, Josh Jordan, has emerged as the top candidate to be the new head coach at Duke.

There might not be a 2025-26 racing season at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, as the owner of the track, Churchhill Downs, has informed the state racing commission it plans to relinquish its licenses because the state will not provide any subsidy, after the supreme court ruled the track can no longer operate a slot machine called Historic Horse Racing.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team leaves tomorrow morning for Omaha and the Tigers are one of favorites to win a national championship. Left fielder Derek Curiel says the team is playing its best baseball at the right time…

Cut 18 (12) “….some fun”

Only a few players on this team were part of the 2023 national championship team. Pitcher Chase Shores is one of them and remembers going to Charles Schwab Field for the first time…

Cut 27 (13) “….say about that”

LSU’s first game is Saturday night at 6 PM against Arkansas.

 

Today was the first day of mandatory minicamp for the Saints and the battle for starting quarterback was turned up a notch. Coach Kellen Moore says  Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler are both throwing it well and he called them both really smart players.

Former LSU pitcher Grant Taylor has made it to the major leagues. The Chicago White have called up Taylor from Double-A Birmingham. Taylor was on LSU’s roster in 2022 and 2023. He was hurt in 2023 and in 2022 he was 4-1 with a 5.81 ERA in 31 innings.

With LSU and their rabid fans headed to Omaha for the College World Series, one restaurant across the street from Charles Schwab Field is getting ready. Every year, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sells Jell-O shots in the colors of the eight participating teams for five dollars apiece. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says when LSU went two years ago, they really cleaned up.

Cut 30 (09) “…happens this year.”

Culjat says to get ready for LSU’s arrival, they’re stocking 120-thousand Jell-O shots. $1 for every Jell-O shot is donated to the team’s local food bank.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office has arrested a 35-year-old Leesville father after a three-year-old shoots another three-year-old. Deputies say one of the children found a handgun beneath a pillow on the bed and accidentally fired the weapon, striking the other child in the shoulder and chest area. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says it appears the victim will recover…

Cut 4 (09) “..regular room”

But Fernando Mejia is facing one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

A bill waiting for Governor Landry’s signature clarifies a state law on who can carry a concealed handgun at a parade. Parade goers can, but a participant in the parade or a float rider cannot. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox is current law…

Cut 10 (10) “…defenseless”

The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations,

 

The Louisiana Senate has approved its version of the budget for next fiscal year, albeit clearing only half the money for the L-A GATOR program as what Governor Landry had asked for. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry wants to expand the program so more families can receive state assistance to pay for private school or homeschool expenses.

Cut 14 (12) “…play out.”

The Louisiana Legislature is close to approving an additional 709-million dollars to pay for shovel-ready road projects. The money will come from the Revenue Stabilization Fund. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says a total of one-point-billion dollars will be taken out of that fund for economic development initiatives, improvements to local water systems and improving OMV’s computer system…

Cut 8 (09) “…stop that”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball has completed the road to Omaha. They are one of eight teams that are in the College World Series. Right fielder Jake Brown says the team’s resiliency has been a positive characteristic this season.

Cut 16 (15) “…toughness.”

The Tigers first game in the C-W-S will be Saturday night at 6 PM. They will play SEC rival Arkansas. The Hogs and the Tigers are the only two eight national seeds to make it to Omaha.

Murray State is the Cinderella. The Racers will make their first College World Series appearance after beating Duke five to four to win the Super Regional series in Durham. The Racers are on LSU’s side of the bracket and will play UCLA Saturday afternoon.

Miller Sheets, the son of former ULM baseball star Ben Sheets, has been named the Class 3A Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Miller Sheets is a Baylor commitment and hit .435 this past season with 3 home runs and 57 RBIs. Sheets helped Sterlington to a state championship as they defeated Erath. Bobcats coach Jeremy Picard was named coach of the year.

A whole bunch of money will be spent on Jell-o shots at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina in Omaha. The last time LSU was in the College World Series, LSU fans bought nearly 69-thousand Jell-O shots at Rocco’s. Owner Kevin Culjat (KULL-jit) says it’s a fun tradition and it’s also for a worthy cause…

Cut 11 (08) “….shot sold locally”

Saints mandatory minicamp gets underway today. We will have updates in future sportscasts.

11:30 LRN Newscast

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a 3-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they processed the scene.

Cut 3 (12) “…children were playing.”

Investigators determined that the gun was accidentally discharged, striking one of the children in the shoulder-chest area. The injured child is improving at a hospital.

The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes about 709-million dollars for shovel-ready road projects that will be completed within one year.

Cut 6 (11) “…falling in line.”

McFarland says millions of dollars are also going to colleges, local water systems and OMV for a new computer system.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins is reintroducing a bill that would mandate random drug testing for members of Congress.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The girlfriend of one of the two inmates who remain at-large following the Orleans Parish jailbreak has been arrested. Twenty-eight-year-old Darriana Burton has been charged with conspiracy to commit simple escape. Attorney General Liz Murrill says Burton has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Derrick Groves for three years. She’s also a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s correctional office.

There are three more days left in the legislative session as lawmakers must conclude their work by 6 PM Thursday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the insurance reform legislation was completed a couple of weeks ago. He says it was a top priority for the Landry administration and lawmakers…

Cut 15 (08) “…concentration.”

A bill that received final legislative passage on Monday creates an individual income tax credit for residents who pay for a fortified roof that can help reduce storm damage during a high wind weather event. Supporters say a fortified roof can also help lower a homeowner’s insurance premium.

Later this week LSU fans will arrive in Omaha for the College World Series. Two years ago when the Tigers won the national championship, Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina sold more than 68-thousand purple and gold jell-o shots and owner Kevin Culjat says a portion of the proceeds go to food banks in the Omaha area and to the team’s local food bank…

Cut 12 (09) “…that pretty easy”

7:30 LRN Newscast

St. Tammany Parish sheriff deputies have charged a Hammond man with second-degree murder for allegedly leaving his 21-month-old daughter inside a hot car outside a Madisonville-area home for more than nine hours.

Cut 8 (09) “…there around noon”

That’s Lt Suzanne Carboni who says deputies say 35-year-old Joseph Boatman consumed multiple alcoholic beverages before leaving the little girl strapped in her car seat.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has re-introduced legislation that would require each member of Congress to be randomly drug tested once per term. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says there’s a good chance this bill will not come up for a vote in the House, but if it did, it would be a tough no vote…

Cut 6 (10) “…I don’t know”

Game time has been set for LSU’s first game in the College World Series. The Tigers will take on Arkansas at 6 PM on Saturday night in Omaha.

One restaurant across from the site of the College World Series is gearing up for the onslaught of LSU fans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A new audit from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office finds that there are 129 vacant child welfare positions statewide and workers’ caseloads jumped from nine to almost 16 cases a month. DCFS says it remains committed to strengthening its frontline workforce.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NCAA has announced LSU and Arkansas will play each other in the opening round of the College World Series on Saturday at 6 PM. The other game on Saturday, will be Murray State versus UCLA. The Racers held on to beat Duke last night to become the fourth, number four seed to advance to Omaha.

The C-W-S will get underway on Friday with Coastal Carolina against Arizona, followed by Oregon State versus Louisville.

LSU is in the College World Series for the 20th time. Sulphur’s Jake Brown, who was an LSU recruit when the Tigers won it all in 2023, is happy to be a part of Jay Johnson’s second trip to the College World Series as an LSU coach…

Cut 17 (11) “…go play”

 

Saints mandatory mini-camp begins today at the team’s facility in Metairie.  Kellen Moore is the youngest coach in the NFL at 36-years-old, but tight end Foster Moreau says you can tell Moore has been around the game for a long time…

Cut 30 (16) “…just about anyone”

Online sports gambling companies will soon be paying more tax to the state on all wagers originating from Louisiana. The Senate has approved House Bill 639 by Columbia Republican Neil Riser, who says the amount of the tax that the legislature zeroed in on was a little lower than what he had originally proposed.

Cut 19 (11)  “…we agreed to.”

Riser says one-quarter of the tax revenue generated from online betting will be divided evenly among all NCAA Division One athletic programs in the state. About two million dollars each.