LRN Newscast 6:30

The LSU Tigers are the national champions of college baseball for an eighth time after sweeping Coastal Carolina two games to nothing in the championship series. The Tigers won five to three yesterday behind strong pitching from Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores. Chris Stanfield and Derek Curiel each drove in two runs.

Andrew Greenstein has fan reaction….

Cut 3 (35) “….I’m Andrew Greenstein”

 

Gas prices, which were recently at a four-year low before Memorial Day, may soon surge due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. GasBuddy Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan expects the price at the pump to trend upward..

Cut 4 (10) “…more substantially.”

And we saw the United States get involved over the weekend by conducting a military strike against three Iranian nuclear sites. According to Gas Buddy, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.81.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says her office has seen an uptick in illegal gambling websites and mobile applications offering unauthorized online casino-style games. Murrill says if someone places a wager on an unlicensed online casino app, that person has no recourse…

Cut 9 (07) “….illegal gambling website.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU will try to stop the streak when they face Coastal Carolina in the championship series of the College World Series. The Chanticleers have won 26 in a row, and they’ve outscored their three opponents in the C-W-S 24-9. Catcher Caden Bodine…

Cut 15 (14) “….to win”

LSU is 3-0 in the College World Series, but the Tigers had to come from behind to win two of their games. Coach Jay Johnson says his team is built for anything…

Cut 26 (09) “….on Saturday”

First pitch is at 6 PM.

 

Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau is in Omaha covering the Tigers run for an eighth national championship and he sizes up the matchup against Coastal Carolina…

Cut 28 (31) “…knows what”

A key is to not allow Coastal Carolina to score first, they are 37 and 2 when doing so.

It will be extremely hot this weekend in Omaha. LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim has the forecast…

Cut 30 (12) “…105”

Sunday’s start time is 1:30 and the high temperature will 103-degrees on Sunday. Cooler temperatures Monday, but rain is in the forecast.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana gas prices have climbed to $2.83 per gallon for a regular gallon of gasoline, up nearly ten-cents from last week, according to AAA. Spokesperson Don Redman says the increase is driven by rising crude oil prices and uncertainty fueled by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Cut 9 (09)  “…of this war.”

Redman says crude oil prices are around 75 dollars a barrel, and oil accounts for 50 to 60-percenet of gas prices.

It was nearly a week ago when a gunman attacked two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses at their homes, killing one couple and leaving the other couple severely injured. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip Devillier says the shootings have no place in American politics. He says he’s grateful to serve in the Louisiana legislature where civil discourse and true love for one another remain at the heart of how they do their work…

Cut 4 (14) “…represent our constituents”

As LSU gets ready to take on Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, their fans are blowing out the competition in the Jello Shot Challenge across the street. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There are disappointed Luke Bryan fans. The country music star was scheduled to perform at the Cajundome in Lafayette on Saturday night, but Bryan has been forced to reschedule the show to September 11th because of an illness.

11:30 LRN Newscast

It was nearly a week ago when a gunman attacked two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses at their homes, killing one couple and leaving the other couple severely injured. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip Devillier says the tragic events in Minnesota have no place in American politics. He says he’s grateful to serve in the Louisiana legislature where civil discourse and true love for one another remain at the heart of how they do their work…

Cut 4 (14) “…represent our constituents”

Steven Milam, Jared Jones and Kade Anderson aren’t the only LSU stars taking Omaha by storm this week. A 30-foot tiger sculpture on a flatbed trailer affectionately named Mardi Gras Mike has been the talk of the town. Barry Kern, the president and CEO of Kern Studios, which created Mardi Gras Mike, says they’ve been taking him all over the city all week long.

Cut 6 (09) “…the Omaha Hilton.”

As he’s being wheeled throughout the city, speakers on the flatbed play a very special playlist that include LSU staples “Louisiana Saturday Night,” “Callin’ Baton Rouge,” and the LSU fight song.

As LSU gets ready to take on Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, their fans are blowing out the competition in the Jello Shot Challenge across the street. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Coastal Carolina goes into the championship series with a 26-game winning streak, while LSU is the betting favorites to win. Chanticleers Catcher Caden Bodine sizes up the matchup…

Cut 15 (14) “…to win”

First pitch tomorrow is at 6 PM.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU baseball team enjoyed last night off in Omaha after beating Arkansas in heart stopping fashion on Wednesday night. Because LSU did not play last night, it allows them to use their top two starters in games one and two of their championship series against Coastal Carolina. Coach Jay Johnson….

Cut 18 (10) “….got me now”

Coastal is also 3-0 in the College World Series and their pitching is lined up too.

Coastal Carolina’s weekend starters have ERAs below 3.30, led by Jacob Morrison, who is 12-0 with a 2.08 ERA. Ryan Lynch is a lockdown closer with nine saves. In 31 innings, he’s only allowed two earned runs. Dominick Carbone has also been very good, 6-0 with a 2.47 ERA in 27 appearances.

First pitch tomorrow is at 6 PM.

To balance its athletics budget, ULM is ending its women’s tennis program. The program consisted of eight scholarship athletes and ULM will honor their scholarships if the tennis student athletes decide to stay at the school. Athletics Director John Hartwell says as the students graduate or transfer, he says the scholarships will be reallocated to other women’s sports.

Cut 14 (09) “…ratio is.”

ESPN recently named Louisiana Tech as a leading candidate to join the Sun Belt as Texas State is a rumored favorite to receive a Pac-12 invitation. Tech’s location and conference rivalries make it an enticing candidate but Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast is hearing different…

Cut 19 (16) “…T-V market.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Last weekend’s shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses have shaken the nation, including the legislative community. Louisiana House Speaker Phillip DeVillier says the shootings should serve as a reminder that public officials – elected or otherwise – should moderate their messaging.

Cut 3 (11) “…that is unnecessary.”

DeVillier says while the debate at the statehouse may get heated at times, he always has great respect for all his colleagues, including those on the other side of the aisle.

Today marks the official start of summer and LSU public health climatologist Barry Keim says get ready for a lot of heat and humidity. Keim says the climate prediction center is forecasting a warmer and wetter summer than normal for Louisiana…

Cut 12 (09) “…for the summer”

Tomorrow night is game one of the championship series of the College World Series between LSU and Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers have won 26 in a row. Coach Jay Johnson says Coastal doesn’t make many mistakes…

Cut 16 (14) “…program traits”

First pitch tomorrow night is at 6 PM.

ULM has ended its women’s tennis program due to increased operating and infrastructure costs. The Warhawks now sponsor the NCAA minimum 16 sports as required for an FBS program. Athletics Director John Hartwell says this was an unfortunate fiscal necessity.

Cut 13 (09)  “…and expenditues.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana ranks second for the percentage of its residents delinquent on debt payments. Sean Richardson has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The summer driving season is in full swing and there’s been an uptick in gas prices. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.83. That’s up nearly ten cents from a week ago. Analysts say the price at the pump is increasing because crude oil prices are up and demand is also up.

A milestone for East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, as it has successfully completed its first heart transplant. It was performed on a woman in her early 60s by Dr. Jamil Borgi (BORE-jee) and Dr. Sasha Vukelic (voo-KELL-itch). Dr. Vukelic says the patient is recovering well at home.

Cut 10 (13) “…it becomes stable.”

The heart transplant at East Jefferson Hospital is a major milestone in expanding live-saving heart care for the Gulf South.

The LSU baseball team enjoyed last night off in Omaha after beating Arkansas in heart stopping fashion on Wednesday night. Because LSU did not play last night, it allows them to use their top two starters in games one and two of their championship series against Coastal Carolina. Coach Jay Johnson….

Cut 18 (10) “….got me now”

The Tigers championship series against Coastal Carolina gets underway tomorrow night at 6 PM.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana ranks second for most delinquent on debt payments with residents delinquent on 13-percent of all their individual loans and lines of credit and Louisiana residents are delinquent on 12-percent of their entire debt. Wallethub analyst Chip Lupo…

Cut 5 (08) “….cases”

Lupo says if you are behind on paying back a loan, many lenders offer hardship programs.

History has been made at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie as the medical facility has performed its first heart transplant. Doctor Sasha Vukelic (voo-KELL-itch) says the procedure took two hours, but the recovery time is considerably longer…

Cut 11 (11) “….around two months”

Vukelic says the heart transplant is a major milestone in expanding live-saving health care for the Gulf South.

As LSU gets set to battle with Coastal Carolina for the national championship at the College World Series, there’s no doubt who will win the Jello Shot Challenge at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina across the street from the stadium. Of the eight teams represented, Rocco’s has sold more than three times the number of LSU Jello Shots than the second-place team. Manager Pat McAvoy says LSU has been bolstered by a few heavy hitters, including Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves.

Cut 7 (10) “…we did that.”

Another wave of LSU fans arrive in Omaha today ahead of the start of the championship series tomorrow night against Coastal Carolina.

To balance its athletics budget, ULM announced this week that it’s ending its women’s tennis program. The program consisted of eight scholarship athletes and ULM will honor their scholarships if the tennis student athletes decide to stay at the school. Athletics Director John Hartwell says as the students graduate or transfer, he says the scholarships will be reallocated to other women’s sports.

Cut 14 (09) “…ratio is.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana ranks second among the states where people are most delinquent on debt according to a study by the personal finance website Wallethub. Delinquency can trigger fees, higher interest rates, and credit damage; but hardship programs and a 30-day grace period may offer relief. Wallethub analyst Chip Lupo says the best course of action is to reach out to your lender and make a payment to become current on your account…

Cut 6 (10) “…several years”

Hopefully people are not going into debt buying Jello shots at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina in Omaha. LSU is the run away winner of this year’s Jello Shot challenge as more than 25-thousand purple and gold jello shots have been purchased. Rocco’s manager Pat McAvoy says some heavy hitters have stepped up, like Todd Graves and Gordon McKernan…

Cut 8 (14) “….Todd did it”

One dollar from every LSU purple and gold Jello shot gets redirected to the Baton Rouge Food Bank.

ULM discontinued its women’s tennis program as it works to balance its athletic budget. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported this week that Louisiana Tech could replace Texas State in the Sun Belt if Texas State leaves for the PAC-12. But Dave Schultz, host of the Locked on Sun Belt Podcast, says Sun Belt schools outside of Louisiana do not want Tech in the Sun Belt, because it would make the league to Louisiana centric with three schools.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A new report from WalletHub shows financial hardships loom large in this state. Its first quarter report shows Louisiana with the second highest percentage of delinquent accounts, with 13-percent of tradelines and nearly 12-percent of loan balances delinquent. WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo says this signals risks to credit scores and financial stability.

Cut 4 (11) “…to be damaged.”

Lupo says good paying jobs can help a person get back on track financially and there is promising news with Meta building an A-I facility in Richland Parish and the potential for an increase in energy jobs under the Trump Administration.

East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie has successfully completed its first heart transplant. Doctor Sasha Vukelic (voo-KELL-itch) says the surgery was done through a partnership with the Tulane Transplant Institute and LCMC Health. Vukelic says a new heart will add several years to a patient’s life.

Cut 12 (10) “…is 14 years.”

With this initial heart transplant under its belt, that will create additional opportunities for additional cardiovascular care in a state that ranks among the highest for heart disease.

 

Starting July 1st, major Division One schools in college athletics can begin paying its athletes because of a landmark settlement in the federal courts. ULM has one of the smallest budgets among FBS schools. Athletics director John Hartwell will continue to offer its athletes NIL opportunities, but direct payments to players will not come from their athletic budget…

Cut 15 (08) “….revenue share”

Hartwell says they are looking at creating a fund to pay players through donations from private sources.

LSU is running away with the Rocco’s Jello Shot Challenge in Omaha. As of last night, 25-thousand purple and gold Jello shots were sold by the restaurant and bar that sits just outside of Charles Schwab Field. Rocco’s Pat McAvoy says some people are buying thousands of shots a day for a good cause…

Cut 9 (15) “…they cared about”

One dollar of every Jello Shot sold in the Jello Shot Challenge goes to the local food bank in each school’s local area.