12:30 LRN Newscast

Commercial property owners who have Louisiana Citizens have an opportunity to lower their insurance costs. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Office of Motor Vehicles is closed again today as the department modernizes its system. The OMV did not give a date for when it would reopen but said it will resume normal operations once additional validation and readiness reviews are completed

Already record-high diesel prices continue to go up with no end in sight. According to Gas-Buddy, the statewide price for a gallon of diesel gasoline is $5.83. A month ago, diesel prices were around five dollars a gallon. Gas-Buddy’s Patrick DeHaan says Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia’s diesel-producing refineries is the reason why diesel prices are rising …

Cut 3 (08) “…anymore.”

DeHaan says when diesel prices go up, so does nearly everything else.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin says assistant coach and 2019 national champion head coach Ed Orgeron is improving from a health scare that began in mid-August. Kiffin says Coach O has been back in the building during the day but couldn’t confirm whether he’ll make the trip to Oxford this weekend when the Tigers take on Ole Miss.

Cut 7 (12) “…thing to follow.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU coach Lane Kiffin makes his long-awaited return to Ole Miss as the seventh-ranked Tigers and eighth-ranked Rebels face off on Saturday. Both fan bases have circled the Magnolia Bowl since Kiffin left Oxford for LSU as Ole Miss prepared for the playoffs last season. He says he knows a lot of hate is coming his way.

Cut 13 (10)  “…any touchdowns.”

LSU special assistant and former head coach Ed Orgeron has missed both of the Tigers’ first two games with an undisclosed health issue. Concerns began in mid-August, but Kiffin says he is back in the building and his health is improving.

Cut 7 (12) “…thing to follow.”

Both Kiffin and Coach O were head coaches at Ole Miss. Kiffin was not sure if he would be able to make the trip to Oxford this weekend. Kickoff in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is at 6:30

The Saints gave up 156 rushing yards to Jahmyr Gibbs in their 31-30 overtime loss to the Lions and will face Derrick Henry and the Ravens this Sunday. Head coach Kellen Moore says a player of Gibbs’ caliber is expected to break off a few big plays but the defense needs to be more consistent against the run.

Cut 18 (15) “…direction there.”

LA Tech is following its 45-14 loss to LSU with another Power Four opponent in Baylor this Saturday. The Bulldogs held the Tigers to just ten points in the first half and returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says they aren’t afraid of anybody.

Cut 20 (14) “…the sacks.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

In 2021, nearly 28-percent of Louisiana public school students were considered chronically absent, but that number was down to 22-percent last year thanks to efforts from the Department of Education. Executive Director of attendance strategy Misty Davis says they’ve learned it’s more effective to reward kids for good attendance than it is to punish them for being absent.

Cut 5 (08) “…good attendance.”

Governor Jeff Landry says commercial property owners with Louisiana Citizens Insurance could benefit from a chance to get private coverage through Property Insurance Company of America.

Cut 12 (10) “…40 percent reduction.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says moving commercial policies out of Citizens will lower the insurer of last resort’s exposure and reinsurance costs, improving its financial condition and helping to put downward pressure on premiums for Citizens policyholders.

LSU special assistant and former head coach Ed Orgeron has been sidelined since mid-August with an undisclosed health issue. He missed both of the Tigers’ first two games, but Kiffin says his health is improving.

Cut 6 (10) “…through a lot.”

Kiffin and Orgeron worked together under Pete Carroll at USC in the early 2000s, and Kiffin also hired him to his staff at Tennessee and USC.

After opening the season with a 31-30 loss to the Lions, the Saints have another tough matchup against the Ravens Sunday. New Orleans gave up 156 rushing yards to running back Jahmyr Gibbs and will now face Derrick Henry. Head coach Kellen Moore says the defense needs to be better stopping the run.

Cut 18 (15) “…direction there.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

A Minden man faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly killing his uncle in a domestic dispute. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker says 21-year-old Luther David Hair was arrested for the shooting of his 58-year-old uncle, Daniel Hair, at a home in the 34-hundred block of Dorcheat Road.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the head.”

Louisiana’s campaign to increase public school attendance and decrease the absenteeism and truancy rate is proving effective. Executive director of attendance strategy for the Department of Education, Misty Davis, says it’s not about punishing students who keep missing school; they’ve found it to be more beneficial if you reward students for good attendance

Cut 5 (08) “…good attendance.”

The percentage of public-school students counted as chronically absent during the last school year has decreased by six points since 2021.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin will be back in Oxford as the Tigers take on Ole Miss this weekend. More than 30 staff members and players have switched schools since Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU. He says the coaching staffs are very familiar with one another, but Ole Miss coach Pete Golding will have more intel on him than he does on his former defensive coordinator.

Cut 15 (08) “…play against.”

Commercial property owners who have policies with Louisiana Citizens Insurance have the opportunity to switch to a private provider. Governor Jeff Landry says the potential savings for Louisiana Citizens commercial policyholders is significant…

Cut 12 (10) “…40 percent reduction.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this should help homeowners who have Citizens Insurance. He says moving commercial policies out of Citizens will lower the insurer of last resort’s exposure and help put downward pressure on premiums for Citizens policyholders.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU and coach Lane Kiffin make their dramatic return to Ole Miss this weekend in a top-ten matchup. Kiffin says he told the Tigers not to worry about any outside noise.

Cut 21 (12) “…Heisman candidates.”

The Saints were one play away from a 21-point comeback win over the Lions yesterday. New Orleans forced overtime and matched Detroit’s touchdown in the extra period but lost 31-30 after failing to complete the game-winning two-point conversion attempt. Quarterback Tyler Shough says the team is aggressive and that won’t change with the game on the line.

Cut 14 (11) “…good job.”

LSU beat Louisiana Tech 45-14 on Saturday, but Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie is proud of his team’s effort.

Cut 18 (17) “…the game.”

Tech quarterback Blake Baker fractured his hand in the loss and his status for the Bulldogs’ trip to Baylor this weekend is up in the air.

Nicholls started off Southland play with a 31-28 win over UTRGV. Former Byrd High standout Jackson Dufrene tied a school record with three touchdown catches and was named Southland offensive Player of the Week. Coach Tommy Rybacki is excited to see his senior have a big game…

Cut 20 (12) “…for us.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff investigators say a 47-year-old man fatally stabbed four people and badly wounded a juvenile at a residence in Houma. The wounded juvenile was flown to an out-of-area hospital and is in stable but critical condition. Lt. Blake Tabor says they are not discussing a possible motive with the public and they are not ready to say the exact relationship between the stabber and the victims…

Cut 11 (09) “…reasons.”

One man was killed, and another was wounded in a shooting on Louisiana Highway 40 between I-55 and Old Highway 51 in Tangipahoa Parish early this morning. The victims’ identities are unknown as the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office assists the town of Independence with the investigation. Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the area will be closed as authorities process the crime scene.

Cut 7 (10) “…this crime.”

The Saints overcame a 21-nothing third-quarter deficit but were unable to get a win in their opener, falling to the Lions 31-30 in overtime. Quarterback Tyler Shough had three turnovers but finished the game with 410 passing yards and three touchdowns. He says he needs to play well all game.

Cut 13 (11)  “…too inconsistent.”

While down 7-0 in the first half, the Saints had a defensive touchdown taken off the board. A Chase Young strip sack that was returned for a touchdown was overturned to an incomplete pass because of an NFL rule that an attempted pass cannot be a fumble if the quarterback has already started his throwing motion, even if the ball goes backwards. Saints linebacker Kaden Elliss says the team had to have the rule explained to them.

Cut 9 (11)  “…it’s OK.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU moved up to No. 7 after beating LA Tech 45-14 and will face eighth-ranked Ole Miss this weekend. The Tigers turned it over four times in the first half against Tech but eventually pulled away from the Bulldogs. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 344 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed for three touchdowns. But he also threw three interceptions, which he knows can’t happen this Saturday at Ole Miss..…

Cut 16 (13) “…go to work.”

A documentary on legendary LSU Heisman winner Billy Cannon premieres tonight at 7:00 on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Following his career, counterfeiting conviction and work as a dentist at Angola, Cannon’s daughter, Bunnie, says she hopes viewers get to see a new side of her father.

Cut 4 (11) “…knew about.”

The Saints lost their season opener 31-30 versus the Lions in overtime. After a scoreless first half and two turnovers to start the second half, New Orleans fought back from a 21-0 deficit with five straight scoring drives to force overtime. Quarterback Tyler Shough finished with 410 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, but says he needs to be better for four quarters.

Cut 13 (11)  “…too inconsistent.”

Kicker Daniel Carlson missed a 62-yard field goal at the end of regulation. After Detroit scored on the first possession of O-T, the Saints scored a touchdown of their own but could not complete the two-point conversion attempt to secure the win.

New Orleans is on the road again at Baltimore this weekend.

All four teams in the NFC South lost yesterday. The Falcons fell 20-13 to the Steelers with Cooper Rush at starting quarterback, the Panthers lost a 59-37 shootout to the Bears and the Buccaneers fell 33-27 to the Bengals.

LRN AM Newscall September 14

A documentary on the life of LSU legend Billy Cannon premieres on LPB tonight at 7:00. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

____________________________________________

Election Day is just 50 days away. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating its first ever quadruple homicide. Jeff Palermo has the tragic details out of Houma…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________

A documentary on legendary LSU Heisman winner Billy Cannon premieres tonight at 7:00 on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. “Circles: The Life of Billy Cannon” will follow his incredible career, federal counterfeiting conviction and work as a dentist at Angola. Cannon’s daughter, Bunnie, says she hopes viewers get to see a new side of her father.

Cut 4 (11) “…knew about.”

Cannon won the 1959 Heisman at LSU and spent 11 years in pro football. He was one of the brightest football stars of his time and is revered as an LSU legend. Bunnie says people know that story.

Cut 5 (12) “…after that.”

Cannon was arrested in 1983 for masterminding a six-million-dollar counterfeiting scheme. Bunnie says she gave the producers complete creative control to tell the honest story because she had faith in the character of her father.

Cut 6 (11) “…what became of it.”

__________________________________________

Election Day is now just 50 days away. Thanks to the last-minute redistricting, the U.S. House races on the November 3rd ballot are all open primaries. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says even though all candidates from all parties will be on the same ballot, he does not expect many partisan voters to cross party lines.

Cut 7 (13) “…to vote Democrat.”

The two biggest races are in districts five and six, which are the two open seats. Cross says while four prominent Republicans are battling it out, there’s only one prominent Democrat – Pat Moore – on the ballot.

Cut 8 (07) “…their message out.”

The district six race also has a crowded field, with ten candidates – six Republicans, three Democrats and one Libertarian – on the ballot. Cross says with the change in boundaries that forced Cleo Fields to drop his re-election bid, he would have expected a lot more extensive messaging from the candidates at this point.

Cut 9 (11)  “…and so on.”

__________________________________________________

A horrific scene at a residence in Houma as Terrebonne Parish Sheriff investigators say a 47-year-old man fatally stabbed four people and badly wounded a juvenile. Lt. Blake Tabor says the juvenile who survived the attack from Kaegan Solet went to a neighbor’s house seeking help. Tabor says Solet was arrested Sunday morning…

Cut 10 (11) “…as well.”

Authorities say the wounded juvenile was flown to an out-of-area hospital and is in stable but critical condition. Tabor says they are not discussing a possible motive with the public and they are not ready to say exact relationship between Solet and the victims…

Cut 11 (09) “…reasons.”

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as soon as it becomes available. Tabor says what happened here is truly tragic…

Cut 12 (10) “…involved.”

__________________________________________________

The Saints lost their season opener 31-30 versus the Lions in Overtime. After a scoreless first half and two turnovers to start the second half, New Orleans fought back from a 21-0 deficit with five straight scoring drives to force overtime. Quarterback Tyler Shough finished with 410 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, but says he needs to be better for four quarters.

Cut 13 (11)  “…too inconsistent.” 

Detroit scored a touchdown on the first drive of overtime, but New Orleans responded with its own 80-yard touchdown dive. Head coach Kellen Moore chose to go for two to win the game, but Shough’s pass to rookie receiver Bryce Lance fell incomplete. Shough says the team will stay aggressive.

Cut 14 (11) “…good job.”

Wide receiver Chris Olave had a career-high 182 yards on 10 catches, but he says he didn’t get the most important stat.

Cut 15 (13) “…moving forward.”

__________________________________________________

LSU turned it over four times in the first half against Louisiana Tech, but eventually pulled away from the Bulldogs for a 45-14 win. Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 344 yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed for three touchdowns. But he also threw three interceptions, which he knows can’t happen this Saturday at Ole Miss..…

Cut 16 (13) “…go to work.”

Head coach Lane Kiffin says they had a bunch of yards in the first half against Tech, but very few points. He says it’s a good learning experience for this team…

Cut 17 (18) “…we needed.”

Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie is proud of his team’s effort…

Cut 18 (17) “…the game.”

__________________________________________________

Tough loss for McNeese on Saturday as the Cowboys lost a back-and-forth game to fifth-ranked Tarleton State 27 to 24. Pokes head coach Matt Viator says the Texans made more plays than they did…

Cut 19 (11) “…this level.”

Nicholls started off Southland play with a 31-28 win over UTRGV. Former Byrd High standout Jackson Dufrene tied a school record with three touchdown catches. Coach Tommy Rybacki is excited to see his senior have a big game…

Cut 20 (12) “…for us.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Eighth-ranked LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow, as both schools come off massive week one blowout wins. Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt passed for 230 yards and a touchdown and ran for 113 yards and two scores in the 51-10 win over Clemson. Left tackle Jordan Seaton was impressed.

Cut 20 (08) “…father we go.”

The Bulldogs beat Northwestern State 80-6 last week. Quarterback Blake Baker was 10-for-14 for 232 yards and three touchdowns at halftime. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says the Tigers need to be ready for their best.

Cut 12 (13) “…next year.”

Kickoff is set for 6:30. LSU reports that Tiger Stadium has been sold out for the second week in a row.

The 60th season of Saints football kicks off Sunday against the Lions. Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs was named to his third straight Pro Bowl last season after totaling over 18-hundred scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns. Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley says he’s a weapon no matter what he’s doing.

Cut 18 (18) “…very complete player.”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with an MCL sprain after being limited in practice all week.

Louisiana college football kicks off tomorrow at 2:30 when ULM visits UAB.

At 6:00, Southern goes to number-22 Houston, Southeastern Louisiana hosts North Alabama, McNeese faces Tarleton State, Nicholls welcomes UTRGV and Northwestern State visits East Texas A-and-M.

Grambling heads to TCU at 7:00, and UL Lafayette plays at 14th-ranked USC at 10:00.

3:30 LRN Newscast

OMV offices across the state will be closed on Monday as the office installs new driver’s license and reinstatement transaction systems this weekend. OMV Commissioner Keith Neal says the department’s website and L-A Wallet will be inaccessible starting Saturday.

Cut 5 (10) “…this massive cutover.”

Offices are expected to reopen Tuesday.

25 years ago today, Barksdale Air Force Base was the emergency host of President George W. Bush in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as Air Force One needed a high-security military installation. The current commander of Barksdale Air Force Base, Colonel Chris Cain, says while the staff at Barksdale did not anticipate accommodating the President that day, they were prepared for it.

Cut 7 (13) “…on that day.”

A new poll from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children reveals childcare providers in the state are struggling to stay open due to rising costs. Chief of Research and Policy Heather Cope says staffing is also a challenge because the average annual pay for lead teachers is just under 29-thousand dollars. She says this survey makes it clear that Louisiana needs sustained investments in early childhood programs and educators to allow parents to work, businesses to operate and children to thrive…

Cut 11 (11) “…for families”

Number-eight LSU hosts Louisiana Tech tomorrow at 6:30. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 23-7 last year, but both teams look a lot different this time around. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin says they need to be prepared for their best.

Cut 12 (13) “…next year.”