Author Archives: Kace Kieschnick

06.12.26
by

9:30 LRN Newscast

Believe it or not, it’s time to head to the polls once again. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An ICE agent in Beauregard Parish fired a shot at a truck while trying to serve a warrant yesterday. The vehicle came to a stop after nearly running an agent over, and that’s when neighbors in the area say they heard at least one shot fired, while many reported hearing two. Three suspects fled from the truck, which was later seen being towed away with a bullet hole near the rear wheel.

The U.S. Men’s National Team has its first game of the World Cup tonight against Paraguay. The Stars and Stripes will also have group matches against Australia and Turkey. Louisiana Soccer Association reporter Paul Boron says this year’s team could be one of the nation’s best. They can certainly score, but he has questions of the defense.

Cut 11 (07) “…is a possibility.”

The top two teams from each group and the top eight teams to finish third advance to the 32-team knockout round. USA’s matchup with Paraguay is set for 8 p.m. in Los Angeles.

An already below-average hurricane season is now forecast to be even more so. Researchers from Colorado State University have revised their original prediction down to 11 named storms, including five hurricanes, two of which to be major hurricanes. CSU Researcher Nick Mesa says those are down from 13, six and two, respectively.

Cut 13 (07)  “…of hurricane season.”

06.11.26
by

5:30 LRN Newscast

An El Nino has officially formed in the tropical Pacific, so what does that mean for our weather in Louisiana? Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 2 (24) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Carencro is Louisiana’s fastest growing city with it’s population increasing by almost 42-percent in the last five years. The city if just north of Lafayette, bisected by I-49, and Mayor Charlotte Clavier says that means Carencroians have it easy when it comes to heading into Lafayette.

Cut 4 (09) “…more traffic issues.”

NovaSpark announced expansion plans for its West Monroe hydrogen generator manufacturing facility and the launch of a new operation in Houma. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says this announcement speaks for the quality of Louisiana’s workforce and Louisiana’s future potential.

Cut 11 (14) “…the hydrogen world.”

The son of former LSU baseball star Eddy Furniss, Will Furniss, is heading to Omaha with Ole Miss. The Rebels are undefeated in the NCAA Tournament, but all five of their wins have been decided by three runs or less. After some bad luck early in the season, Eddy says things have started going their way.

Cut 13 (12) “…one play game.”

Ole Miss’s first game of the College World Series is tomorrow night against UNC.

06.11.26
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Tigers are welcoming Notre Dame outfielder Bino Watters to Baton Rouge. LSU was in a heated recruiting battle with Texas and Texas A&M for the top-rated transfer, but Jay Johnson and his staff were able to land the slugger to address some glaring needs in the outfield next season. D1Baseball’s Bradley Smart says he can be a day one starter for the Tigers.

Cut 18 (14) “…production out of.”

Watters joins a transfer class that already has a top pitcher in Gonzaga lefty Landon Hood and a defensive ace in Texas State infielder Dawson Park.

The SEC announced start times for some of LSU’s conference football matchups this season. LSU will have a night trip to Kentucky, host Mississippi State in the early window, visit Auburn at 11 a.m. and close out the season with an early game at Arkansas. Matchups with Texas A&M, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas were all given flex start times between 3:30 and 8 p.m.

Former Saints head coach Sean Payton signed a new contract with the Broncos that keeps him in Denver for the next five years. Payton led Denver to a 14-and-3 season and an AFC Championship game appearance last year. He has a 32-and-19 record with the team since New Orleans traded his contract rights in 2023.

The son of LSU baseball legend Eddy Furniss, Will Furniss, is following in his dad’s footsteps at the College World Series. While he won’t be wearing purple and gold, Will has led Ole Miss to Omaha in his senior season. The first baseman hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a Super Regional win over Auburn. Eddy says that’s just who he is.

Cut 12 (13) “…get it done.”

The Rebels’ first game in Omaha is set for 6 p.m. tomorrow against UNC.

06.11.26
by

4:30 LRN Newscast

What city is the fastest growing in Louisiana? For the answer, here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Hammond Police Department has named two persons of interest in connection with the June 4 shooting at a Hammond gas station that left one woman dead. 26-year-old Jarvis Steptoe and 21-year-old Reginald Steptoe are both from the Hammond area. If you have any information about their whereabouts, contact the Hammond Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.

NovaSpark announced additions to its hydrogen generator manufacturing facility in West Monroe and plans to establish a new operation in Houma. Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says it will help diversify the Terrebonne Parish economy for years to come.

Cut 9 (12)  “…future as well.”

Will Furniss, the son of ex-LSU baseball star Eddy Furniss, has helped lead Ole Miss back to Omaha. The Rebels’ College World Series run opens tomorrow night against North Carolina, the fourth-ranked national seed. While they were able to dodge a four-team SEC gauntlet on the other side of the bracket, Eddy says the Tar Heels are no slouch.

Cut 14 (13) “…Ole Miss.”

06.11.26
by

3:30 LRN Newscast

El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are projected to intensify, perhaps even into a Super El Niño. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says not only does El Niño produce a quieter Atlantic hurricane season, it can also produce a wetter and cooler winter and spring if it hangs around that long.

Cut 8 (08) “…and winter.”

Carencro is the fastest-growing city in Louisiana. According to census data released last month, between July 1st, 2020, and July 1st, the city’s population grew by almost 42-percent, adding almost four-thousand people to a population that now tops 13-thousand. Mayor Charlotte Clavier (klah-vee-AAE) says many of those people are coming from coastal communities, where homeowners insurance is exponentially more expensive.

Cut 3 (09) “…the benefit of.”

The son of LSU baseball legend Eddy Furniss, Will Furniss, is following in his dad’s footsteps at the College World Series. While he won’t be wearing purple and gold, Will has led Ole Miss to Omaha in his senior season. The first baseman hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a Super Regional win over Auburn. Eddy says that’s just who he is.

Cut 12 (13) “…get it done.”

The Rebels’ College World Series run opens Friday night against North Carolina, the fourth-ranked national seed. Ole Miss is 5-and-0 in the tournament so far.

The Coushatta sawmill will be rebuilt after a fire damaged the facility last year. C&C Forest Products will invest 21-million-dollars to modernize the facility with updated equipment and an improved site layout. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and create 333 new job opportunities in Northwest Louisiana.

06.11.26
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU landed one of the most sought-after talents in the transfer portal in Notre Dame outfielder Bino Watters. The Michigan native hit .362 with 10 homers, 51 RBI and a .610 slugging percentage his sophomore season with the Irish. Bradley Smart covers the ACC for D1Baseball and says he’s only gotten better each year in South Bend.

Cut 16 (17) “…pickup for LSU.”

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced its Class 5A All-State baseball and softball teams. In baseball, Hahnville third baseman/pitcher Koa Romero won Most Outstanding Player, and Dutchtown’s Chris Schexnaydre was named Coach of the Year. The Most Outstanding Player in softball was West Monroe’s Evie West, and the Coach of the Year was Pineville head coach Allison Frye.

The Saints will rely on a young secondary this year. At outside corner, Kool-Aid McKinstry was a second-round pick in the 2024 draft, and Quincy Riley was a fourth-rounder last year who saw significant snaps. Safety Jonas Sanker turned heads as a rookie filling in for an injured Julian Blackmon last year, and McKinstry says he’s made great progress replacing Alontae Taylor at slot corner this season.

Cut 20 (18) “…same exact way.”

LSU javelin thrower Jack Larriviere earned bronze at the NCAA Championships last night with a clutch final throw of 77.91 meters. Sprinter Jaiden Reid qualified for the finals in both the 200 meter and 100 meter. He ran a personal best 9.95 in the 100 semifinal, the third fastest time in LSU history.

06.11.26
by

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has a new voter ID law. Jeff Palermo has the details.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Hammond Police Department has named two persons of interest in connection with the June 4 shooting at a Hammond gas station that left one woman dead. 26-year-old Jarvis Steptoe and 21-year-old Reginald Steptoe are both from the Hammond area. If you have any information about their whereabouts, contact the Hammond Police Department or Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.

West Monroe High School product Hayden Federico is heading to the College World Series with Ole Miss. The sophomore outfielder is the son of Louisiana Tech assistant coach Michael Federico, who says he told his kids he wouldn’t return to Omaha until he was coaching or one of them was playing there.

Cut 11 (13) “…coaching in it.”

Ole Miss will play UNc at 6 p.m. tomorrow

Jay Johnson and LSU earned a commitment from the number one prospect in the transfer portal. Notre Dame outfielder Bino Watters hit .362 as a sophomore this season, and D1Baseball’s Bradley Smart says he could be a day one starter for a Tigers team in need of depth in the outfield.

Cut 18 (14) “…production out of.”

06.10.26
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints head coach Kellen Moore gave an update on contract negotiations with defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Cut 16 (17) “…rock and roll.”

This is the first time in Jordan’s 15-year career in New Orleans he’s been a free agent. The 36-year-old led the team with 10-and-a-half sacks last season. The Saints will wrap up the final day of OTAs tomorrow before mandatory veteran minicamp kicks off next week.

LSU earned a commitment from top portal outfielder Bino Watters. The rising junior from Notre Dame chose the Tigers over Texas and Texas A&M. He hit .362 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs as the Irish left fielder this year.

McNeese senior pitcher Eric Nachtsheim was named a Second-Team All-American by Perfect Game. The Reno-native set a program record with 129 strikeouts this season and just 21 walks in 93 innings. He was also named the Southland Relief Pitcher of the year and was an All-Conference First-team selection after going 8-and-4 with a 3.39 ERA. Nachtsheim was a second-team selection for the American Baseball Coaches Association D-I South All-Region team.

Eight other Louisiana college players earned All-Region honors. LSUI catcher Cade Arrambide, shortstop Steven Milam and outfielders Jake Brown and Derek Curiel joined Louisiana Tech first baseman Trey Hawsey on the first team. UL Lafayette catcher Colt Brown and pitcher Cody Brasch earned second-team selections along with ULM third baseman Kade Dupont.

Six LSU baseball players will be competing in summer collegiate baseball leagues. Gavin Guidry, Ethan Plog and Reagan Ricken will pitch against one another in the Cape Cod League while outfielder William Patrick and infielder Jack Ruckert team up on the Healdsburg Prune Packers in the Pacific Empire League.

06.10.26
by

4:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s youngest students made great strides in reading proficiency. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

USA Today reports many Richland Parish teachers are receiving bonus checks of more than 50-thousand-dollars this year. Other teachers and staff will receive over 17-thousand-dollar checks. The annual bonus is based on sales tax revenue, which boomed in the parish this year due to the construction of Meta’s 27-billion-dollar data center.

An 80-million-dollar Faith Technologies Incorporated manufacturing facility is coming to Monroe. Construction is already underway and expected to be completed spring 2027. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facility will produce electrical assemblies and energy solutions to ship to project sites along the I-20 corridor.

Cut 9 (09)  “…power-first economy.”

A student at Baker High School in East Baton Rouge Parish was shot this morning after shots were fired at the school Monday. Preston Castille, the president and CEO of Helix Community Schools, the charter school network that Baker High School belongs to, says all summer school activities and in-person instruction have been suspended again.

Cut 14 (09) “…had been resolved.”

No word as to when the Baker High School campus will reopen.

06.10.26
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU landed one of the top prospects in the college baseball transfer portal in Notre Dame outfielder Bino Watters. The lefty batter hit .362 with 10 home runs and 18 doubles as a sophomore last season and was named First-Team All-ACC. He joins a transfer class with Gonzaga pitcher Landon Hood and Texas State infielder Dawson Park.

A little league team in the north suburbs of Pittsburgh got a surprise visit from the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Monday evening. Paul Skenes was driving by Ingomar Franklin Park when he saw the lights on for a little league practice and decided to check it out. Eddie Dubis, a coach in the league and father of two of the kids, says it wasn’t long before 6-6 superstar was noticed. He says Skenes stayed to take pictures, sign autographs and play catch for two hours and made a lifelong memory for his kids.

Cut 4 (09) “…about it.”

Skenes followed the visit with a start against the Dodgers last night where he allowed just six hits and two runs in six innings and struck out seven in one of his best outings in nearly a month. The Pirates lost 12-3.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a new experimental black-bellied whistling duck season starting this year. LDWF Waterfowl Program Manager Jason Olszak says the season will run from October 3rd to the 11th and will offer hunters the opportunity to exclusively target the species.

Cut 13 (06) “…next four years.”

Shooting hours for the special season will be sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four ducks with a possession limit of 12.

Loyola University in New Orleans is making the move from NAIA to Division Two in the fall of 2027. The Wolfpack will compete in the Gulf South Conference. Vice president of the GSC board Daniel Ennis says Loyola is joining the SEC of D-II.

Cut 17 (12) “…accomplish both.”)

Loyola men’s basketball won a national championship in 2022 and it’s baseball team was in the NAIA World Series last spring.