Author Archives: Kace Kieschnick

07.01.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador passed away of brain cancer at the age of 74 yesterday. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says Cador brought global attention to Southern, and he asked him one day how he could bring top recruits like Golden Spikes Award-winner Rickie Weeks to Baton Rouge.

Cut 4 (11) “…still is.”

Today could be the start of a big week in LSU recruiting. Four-star corner Brandon Sherrard chose Texas over the Tigers, but that could give LSU a better shot at flipping current Longhorns defensive back commit Greedy James. He’ll announce his commitment tomorrow.

Ruston High safety Jayden Anding was scheduled to make his verbal pledge today but decided to push it back. Anding is the brother of current Tiger Aiden Anding and will likely choose between LSU and Ole Miss. Athlete Tae Walden Jr. will announce his commitment today. Walden is Rivals’ third-ranked athlete in the class and will have his pick of the nation’s top programs at 2:30.

Louisiana Tech became the newest member of the Sun Belt Conference today, replacing PAC-12-bound Texas State. Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey expects to compete for conference championships right away and welcomes the pressure of a new conference.

Cut 10 (09) “…compete moving forward.”

The Sun Belt sent a school to the College Football Playoff last year and had back-to-back College World Series appearances. Ivey says football season ticket sales are already up 150-thousand-dollars.

The U.S. Men’s National Team plays its first World Cup knockout stage game tonight against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Stars and Stripes went 2-and-1 in the group stage, with the lone loss coming in a meaningless match against Turkey, in which four starters sat. U.S. star Christian Pulisic will make his return to the starting lineup. Kickoff in San Francisco is at 7:00.

Former UL Lafayette pitcher Cowan Alfonso is transferring to LSU-Shreveport. Alfonso pitched only an inning-and-a-third for the Cajuns this season after transferring in from Louisiana Christian.

07.01.26
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Legendary former Southern University Baseball coach Roger Cador passed away of brain cancer at the age of 74 yesterday. Cador led the Jaguars baseball team for 33 years after taking over in 1984. Chair of the Southern Board of Supervisors Tony Clayton says he was an ambassador for the school and the first line of defense between kids and the real world.

Cut 3 (09) “…young men.”

A year after its invitation, Louisiana Tech officially joined the Sun Belt. The Bulldogs join in-state rivals ULM and UL-Lafayette in the conference. Both schools advocated for Tech to join the conference due to decreased travel costs and the renewal of historic rivalries. Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey says they’re already seeing the impacts.

Cut 11 (12) “…of the schedule.”

A West Monroe man who spent 27 years on death row for the convicted murder of his ex-girlfriend’s toddler in 1993 has been released. Jimmie Duncan’s conviction was reversed by the Louisiana Supreme Court, and now prosecutors must decide to retry or dismiss the case. Duncan’s attorney Ann Ferebee says prosecutors are now on the clock.

Cut 14 (10) “…they tell us.”

Justices upheld a lower court’s decision to toss out Duncan’s 1998 conviction citing flawed forensic practices used to convict him.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has released body cam footage that shows Reverend Tony Spell calling his neighbor’s son a slur, days after the pastor was arrested in the beating of the 20 year old man. Two days following that widely publicized incident deputies say they were called out on a noise complaint by the neighbor because Spell was mowing his lawn at 4am. That’s when words were exchanged and caught on tape.

06.30.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.”

The 2007 national champion is facing two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.

LSU has two Walter Camp Preseason All-Americans. Tight end Trey’Dez Green was named to the first team while offensive tackle Jordan Seaton earned second-team honors.

Rivals Summer Signing Day is tomorrow, and several top recruits will announce their commitments. The Tigers are finalists for a trio of four-stars: Ruston High safety Jayden Anding, Texas cornerback Brandon Sherrard and Tennessee athlete Tae Walden Jr.

Louisiana Tech makes its official move to the Sun Belt tomorrow after months of negotiations and legal battles. After years of weeknight Conference USA matchups, the Bulldogs will host six Saturday football games for the first time since 2017 this season. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says visiting fans will have a major impact on the community.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

The Bulldogs host rivals ULL October 10 and Southern Miss November 14. They’ll visit ULM October 17.

Former Diamond Dogs infielder Casey McCoy announced he’d be transferring to Georgia. The Dutchtown High product started 51 games as a true freshman, averaging .281 at the plate with 28 RBIS and five homers.

North Caddo High School alum Robert Williams signed a three-year, 44-million-dollar extension with the Trailblazers. The center is entering his ninth NBA and fourth in Portland.

06.30.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet was sentenced to 27 months in a minimum-security federal facility. In March, he pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme. He will also have to pay a 40-thousand-dollar fine.

A new law signed by Governor Landry means motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded, the same consequences faced by Louisiana vehicles without insurance. Author of the Act, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says it will help lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13) “…for Louisiana drivers.”

Louisiana Tech becomes an official member of the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow. The LA Tech football team traveled nearly 8,000 miles last season, but Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says, with the Sun Belt’s regionality, those days are over.

Cut 10 (09) “…or wherever.”

The Bulldogs will join the Sun Belt West division with in-state rivals UL Lafayette and ULM, as well as nearby neighbors Arkansas State and Southern Miss.

06.30.26
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12:30 LRN Newscast

Out-of-state vehicles without insurance now face the same consequences as Louisiana uninsured vehicles, thanks to a new law that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861 and says uninsured vehicles is a problem in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…their states require.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as part of the Weekday CUSA TV deal. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3rd, but ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 26 (11) “…on past performance.”

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model could decrease the number of available scholarships for high schoolers thanks to its guaranteed five years of eligibility. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

06.30.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU women’s basketball stars Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese had their first professional meeting this weekend. Johnson’s Seattle Storm got the better of Reese’s Atlanta Dream in a 105-90 home win for Seattle. Johnson led the Storm with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Reese tallied 17 points and nine boards of her own.

The NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model could take away scholarships from some high schoolers by backlogging college athletics with fifth-year players. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

The Pelicans welcomed second-round draft pick Jaron Pierre yesterday. The New Orleans native is a 6-6 guard who averaged 17 points a game at SMU this season. He was also the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2025 with Jacksonville State. Pierre turns 24 in July and made 121 college starts over five seasons with Southern Miss, Wichita State, Jax State and SMU. He says that experience will help him transition to the NBA.

Cut 17 (16) “…the long run.”

Pierre will have his first opportunity for NBA action in the NBA Summer League July 9. The Pelicans have named assistant coach God Shammgod as the head coach of the summer league team.

Nicholls is welcoming new head basketball coach Darion Brown after Tevon Saddler’s departure for the NBA G League. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023.

06.29.26
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4:45 LRN Sporstcast

LSU prep signee Nathaneal Davis is pulling his name from the MLB Draft and enrolling at LSU. The outfielder is a top-150 prospect in the draft and could contend for playing time as a true freshman. William Patrick is the current expected starter in center field alongside transfer corner outfielders Bino Watters and Jason Wachs. Davis joins lefty pitcher Braxton Beaty as the second high school draft prospect to choose LSU over the Majors.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was one of the many collegiate signal callers at the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. There may be no game on the 2026 college football schedule more highly anticipated than Lane Kiffin and LSU’s trip to Ole Miss. Chambliss says he can’t to face off against his former coach.

Cut 20 (13) “…win that day.”

The Tigers and Rebels face off in Oxford September 19.

New Orleans native Jaron Pierre spoke to the media today for the first time since being drafted 58th overall by the Pelicans. The 6-6 guard says he learned under former Pelicans guard Elfrid Peyton and says he’s ready to give back to the New Orleans community.

Cut 18 (17) “…on they way.”

Pierre is a high-flying three-level scorer who hopes to contribute to the Pelicans right away. He’ll see his first action in NBA Summer League July 9.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was traded to the Trailblazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The Pelicans were linked to trade talks to reunite the two-time All-Star with former AAU teammate Zion Williamson.

UL-Lafayette softball received a transfer commitment from Texas Tech infielder Angelyna Conde. The freshman played in just three games for the national runners-up this year.

06.29.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

After reports that the runoff between her and State Treasurer John Fleming could be a nailbiter, Julia Letlow won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate Saturday night by 14 percentage points. Fleming’s campaign strategist, Roy Fletcher, told Talk Louisiana on WRKF, the Letlow campaign spent a lot on advertising in the days leading up to the run-off election…

Cut 13 (09) “…never heard of.”

Letlow is now the favorite to be elected to the U.S. Senate in the November 3 general election versus Democratic nominee Jamie Davis. During the closed party primaries, Letlow geared her messaging towards fellow Republicans. Now that the race has shifted to the general election phase, Letlow says her strategy will remain consistent with the approach she’s had since entering the race in January.

Cut 7 (10) “…earn their vote.”

Baton Rouge officials are planning a massive search of the Baton Rouge North Landfill to find the remains of missing 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. Police believe Minnieweather was beaten to death and picked up on a routine collection route to the landfill. Fire Chief Michael Kimble says the search will be conducted entirely by hand and compares the process to combing through the wreckage of 9/11.

Cut 11 (11) “…no more.”

Director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Joey Frank says more than 15-hundred households in the parish have reported flood damage in the historic rainfall two weeks ago. As recovery efforts begin, he says 120 displaced residents are staying in hotel rooms or in RVs at the Paragon Casino, with the state picking up the tab.

Cut 4 (10) “…just so sad.”

06.29.26
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2:30 LRN Newscast

The closed party primaries are over; and thus, the race for the U.S. Senate moves to the general election phase. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

So, what’s next for John Fleming following the loss? LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says the 74-year-old will continue working as State Treasurer and will likely seek re-election next year…

Cut 12 (05) “…stature.”

Recovery efforts are underway in Avoyelles Parish following the historic flooding two weeks ago.  Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they’re winding down the emergency supply distribution centers.

Cut 5 (10) “…and in Dupont.”

Over 15-hundred households in the Parish have reported flood damage. The state urges any homeowners who have not already done so to report damages to damage-dot-la-dot-gov.

The Manning Passing Academy brought some of the top college quarterbacks in the nation to Thibodaux this weekend, including Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Manning will return to his home state November 14 as the Tigers host the Longhorns. The New Orleans native says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 18 (08) “…we’re excited.”

It is the first meeting between the schools since 2019.

06.29.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Four-star outfielder Nathaneal Davis is withdrawing his name from the MLB Draft and heading to LSU. ESPN ranked the Orlando native as the number 125 prospect in the draft. He was projected to get second-round money.

The Pelicans welcomed second-round pick Jaron Pierre today. The St. Augustine alum averaged over 17 points a game and shot 37-percent from three with SMU this season and was the Conference USA Player of the Year with Jacksonville State in 2025. He said he knew he had a good chance of staying in New Orleans.

Cut 17 (17) “…was unbelievable.”

UL-Lafayette outfielder Jayce Lacava is transferring to Western Kentucky. Lacava hit .250 in just 10 appearances for the Cajuns this season.

LSU quarterback commit Peyton Houston continues to impress, winning 247Sports’ offensive MVP at Nike’s The Opening Finals this weekend. Houston led Team Southwest, which also featured Franklin Parish LSU commit Trey Martin and Brother Martin receiver Easton Royal, to the finals of the 7-on-7 tournament while leading the event with over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Royal, a five-star Texas commit, also praised Houston on social media. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning attended the Manning Passing Academy this weekend. The New Orleans native says he’s been involved in recruiting the fellow Crescent City standout.

Cut 19 (17) “…he does next.”

LSU and Florida are still fighting to flip Royal.