Author Archives: Kace Kieschnick

07.15.26
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5:30 LRN Newscast

50 Cent’s Shreveport investment could be in jeopardy after posting a cryptic Instagram message that said some people in the city don’t want things to get better. He plans to transform dormant industrial spaces into state-of-the-art film and television production facilities. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux notes the rapper’s efforts date back several years, so there’s no way he’s going to pull out of the city completely.

Cut 7 (09) “…will go forward.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The measure will head to the Senate, where Congresswoman Julia Letlow says it faces an uncertain fate.

Cut 13 (05) “…so we’ll see.”

Year-round Daylight Saving Time would result in more sunlight in the winter evening hours but later sunrise times. Supporters argue evening sunlight will be good for local economies, while opponents raise concerns about dark commutes for students and workers.

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his number-seven jersey retired during LSU’s matchup with Texas this season. Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have their jerseys retired. Jones says he joins incredible company.

Cut 11 (13) “…always special.”

Jones name and number will be enshrined above the south end zone. The number seven will not retire.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a pay cut to stay with the Saints. Speculation had swirled about the 30-year-old being cut or traded thanks to his and free-agent addition Travis Etienne’s big contracts. With the pay cut, he and Etienne can share the backfield, and Kamara can stay at least one more season with the team that drafted him in 2017.

07.15.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired this season. The Ruston native started for LSU from 1970 to 1972 and went 26-6-and-1. He won three bowl games and an SEC Championship and left campus holding school records with 3,255 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Jones says playing in Death Valley was unforgettable.

Cut 10 (12) “…special time.”

First-year Southern Head Coach Marshall Faulk represented the Jaguars at SWAC Media Day today. Southern is coming off a two-and-ten season, but the Pro Football Hall of Famer says his offense will do whatever it takes to win.

Cut 20 (12) “…their strengths.”

Southern was picked to finish fifth in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll.

Former Saint Terron Armstead and New-Orleans-dot-Football’s Nick Underhill announced Saints running back Alvin Kamara is agreeing to a pay cut to stay on the roster for another season. Kamara’s future with the team has been uncertain since the Saints signed free agent Travis Etienne, but the new deal will help the New Orleans salary cap and keep him with the team that drafted him.

The NCAA Rules Subcommittee has approved the ABS challenge system for college baseball. The system can be used in any game where the technology is available, including Trackman data. It is expected to go into effect as soon as 2027.

Sun Belt East schools took the stage at Media Days today, with the West getting its turn tomorrow. ULM was picked to finish last in the division in the preseason coaches’ poll, and Locked On Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz says this is a make-or-break season for third-year head coach Bryant Vincent.

Cut 18 (15) “…the Sun Belt.”

07.15.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU pitcher Marcos Paz committed to Georgia. The righty made 17 appearances and six starts for the Tigers as a freshman last season and went 1-and-4 with a 9.20 ERA and 40 strikeouts. He was a late, surprise departure in the transfer portal.

Grambling finished second in the SWAC West and Southern came in fifth in the conference preseason poll. The Tigers finished 7-and-5 last season and 4-and-4 in conference play. SWAC TV announcer Santoria Black says Mickey Joseph’s squad has some big questions to answer, but their five home games this season make them a team to watch.

Cut 20 (17) “…have a shot.”

Former LSU quarterback Bert Jones, the first All-American signal caller in LSU history, will have his number seven jersey retired in Death Valley November 14 during the Texas game. Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have a jersey retired. Jones said he was stunned to receive the honor.

Cut 9 (12) “…list for me.”

Sun Belt Media Days kicked off in New Orleans today. Louisiana Tech finished fourth in the West in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs are led by fifth-year head coach Sonny Cumbie, and Locked On Sun Belt podcast host Dave Schultz expects them to compete in their first Sun Belt season.

Cut 17 (14) “…that preseason poll.”

07.15.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

More people than ever are working in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Louisiana is now up to 36 cases of cyclosporiasis the Department of Health reported yesterday. The intestinal parasitic infection can cause explosive diarrhea, and cases have been confirmed in over 30 states. Many infections have been caused by international food and drinks, but officials are still searching for a possible domestic cause, most commonly, contaminated fresh produce.

Some south-central Louisiana anglers will have new regulations for bass and crappie, a 12 inch minimum and five-fish daily limit for bass and a 25-fish limit and eight-inch minimum for crappie. The new law affects portions of the Atchafalaya Basin and nearby waterways. Ryan Montegue with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says waterways outside of the designated area will abide by the previous regulations.

Cut 14 (08) “…of ten fish.”

Residents in Avoyelles, St’ Landry and Terrebonne Parishes who sustained flood damage during Tropical Storm Arthur can apply for FEMA assistance. Over 13-hundred homeowners have registered already. Nate Custer with FEMA says if you’re approved, the payment will be sent via direct deposit.

Cut 6 (08) “…the postal service.”

To register, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov or call 800-621-3362.

07.14.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU announced its representatives at SEC football Media Days in Tampa next week. LSU will send linebacker Whit Weeks, tight end Trey’Dez Green and transfer linebacker TJ Dottery. Other top players from around the SEC headed to Tampa include Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed and Ole Miss’s backfield duo of Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.

Jay Johnson is preparing to welcome one of LSU’s top-rated high school classes ever as the group of signees comes into focus following the MLB Draft. Foxworth, Mississippi, right-handed pitcher Kolby Stringer ranked 110th in MLB’s draft prospect rankings. The 6-3, 205-pounder was not selected in the Major League draft and will head to Baton Rouge. Glen West of On3.com says he shot up draft boards late.

Cut 17 (13) “…bullpen next year.”

LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen and offensive lineman Devin Harper could face legal action from Ole Miss after failing to pay the buyouts for their revenue-sharing contracts with the Rebels. The pair signed to stay at Ole Miss in January before deciding to transfer to LSU with head coach Lane Kiffin. On3-dot-com reports the buyouts total nearly one million dollars which Ole Miss could try to get from LSU. Rebels Athletic Director Keith Carter did not rule out legal action and said the school is determined to get their money back.

Umanmielen was one of eight Tigers to make ESPN’s top 100 transfers for this season, coming in at number five. Quarterback Sam Leavitt was number two on the list and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton was third. Wide receivers Jayce Brown, Winnie Watkins and Tre Wilson also made the list, along with safety Ty Benefield and edge rusher Jordan Ross.

McNeese announced new sponsored patches coming to their football jerseys. The patch on the upper left chest of the jersey features a Navarre Chevrolet logo in conjunction with the naming of Navarre Stadium. Last year, Ryan Navarre signed a $5 million naming rights agreement for the football stadium.

07.14.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

The Meta data center in Richland Parish is paying off quite handsomely for schoolteachers there – literally. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU football players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper could face legal action from Ole Miss after failing to pay the buyouts for their revenue-sharing contracts with the Rebels. The pair signed to stay at Ole Miss in January before deciding to transfer to LSU with head coach Lane Kiffin.

A tragic accident in Ponchatoula last week resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy. The child left his house and got into the driver’s seat of a neighbor’s extremely hot car. After finding him, his family attempted life-saving measures, but Police Chief Bry Layrisson says the situation was hopeless given how long he was in the vehicle.

Cut 14 (06) “…the heat exhaustion.”

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies rescued two adults and two children from a vehicle that had crashed into a canal off of I-10 near the Spencer Chauvin Memorial Bridge early yesterday morning. Sheriff Mike Tregre says it was the deputies’ instant reaction to jump into the canal, break the glass of the car and pull them out.

Cut 7 (08) “…proud of them.”

State Police is investigating the cause of the crash. The four people in the car were taken to New Orleans area hospitals, and Tregre says he has not received any negative news on their health.

07.14.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Ole Miss Athletic Director Keith Carter is considering taking LSU football players Princewill Umanmielen and Devin Harper to court for failing to pay their contract buyouts. The duo signed revenue-sharing contracts with Ole Miss before transferring to LSU this offseason, and now the Rebels are seeking the nearly one million dollars it would take for the pair to buy out the contracts. If the former Rebels are sued, LSU would likely foot the bill.

Only nine of LSU’s class of 22 incoming prep signees were taken in the MLB draft, and two top position players are already expected to choose Baton Rouge over the pros. On3.com’s Glen West says this class is one Tiger fans may look back on as a program-changer.

Cut 18 (20) “…they’re that talented.”

Eight Tigers were listed in ESPN’s ranking of the top 100 transfers in college football. Quarterback Sam Leavitt led the LSU contingent at number two overall, followed by offensive tackle Jordan Seaton at three and edge Princewill Umanmielen at five. Wide receivers Jayce Brown, Winnie Watkins and Tre Wilson also made the list, along with safety Ty Benefield and edge rusher Jordan Ross.

UL Lafayette was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt West in this year’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Louisiana Tech was picked fourth and ULM came last in the seven-team division.

Cajuns wideout Shelton Sampson Jr. and D-B Brent Gordon Jr. joined Bulldogs linebacker Kolbe Fields, Warhawks linebacker Noah Flemmings and ULM offensive lineman AJ Vinson on the preseason All-Sun Belt first team.

Southeastern Louisiana linebacker Jake Dalmado was one of 30 players named to the Buck Buchanan Award watchlist. The accolade is given out annually to the best defensive player in the FCS. Dalmado was a two-time All-Southland selection at Nicholls before transferring to the Lions this offseason. He was also a Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-American.

07.14.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

A difficult search is underway for the remains of a teenager who authorities believe ended up in a landfill. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Deputy U.S. Marshal was killed in a law enforcement operation in Alexandria yesterday. The deputy was working with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office to arrest a wanted fugitive when the shooting took place. After a three-hour standoff, the suspect was taken into custody. The FBI, RPSO and state police are all investigating the incident.

Meta announced a 50 billion dollar expansion to its Richland Parish data center. An estimated 75-hundred construction workers are needed to build the project, and Meta is willing to train many of them for free. Meta President Dina Powell McCormick says anyone interested in getting trained for electrical, plumbing and fiber optics should look into Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy.

Cut 5 (11) “…data center site.”

A St. Tammany Parish pastor was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing several children decades ago while serving at a church in Benton. 72-year-old David Mercer was taken into custody Friday afternoon at a property owned by First Baptist Church of Folsom, where he was working as a youth pastor. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Matthew Bertrand is baffled Mercer is still a youth pastor.

Cut 14 (10) “…a little concerning.”

07.13.26
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU outfielder Derek Curiel was taken fifth overall in the MLB Draft by Pittsburgh. The Pirates are an improving team led by former LSU star Paul Skenes. Last year, Pittsburgh drafted former LSU slugger Jared Jones, and he’s been doing well in High A-Ball. Curiel is looking forward to being teammates again with “The Bear”…

Cut 18 (25) remember him a lot.”

In the second round, Seattle selected former LSU right fielder Jake Brown from Sulphur. Right-handed reliever Devin Sheerin was taken by the Phillies in the fourth round. Eight Tigers were taken in all. Nine LSU signees were selected, but two, outfielders Malachi Washington and Dominic Santarelli, have already announced plans to come to Baton Rouge.

The Sun Belt Conference released its preseason polls for this season. UL Lafayette was picked to finish second in the West division behind Troy, LA Tech was picked fourth in its inaugural season and ULM finished last.

The Cajuns placed two on the all-conference first team and two on the second team. Redshirt junior wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. and sophomore defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. were named to the first team and redshirt senior offensive lineman Kaden Moreau and redshirt senior defensive lineman Fitzgerald West Jr. took second team honors.

ULM also landed four all-conference selections. Senior O-lineman AJ Vinson and senior linebacker Noah Flemmings received the first-team nod, and senior receiver Nic Trujillo and senior D-B Jabari Tiller are on the second team.

For LA Tech, graduate linebacker Kolbe Fields was named to the first-team defense, and senior tight end Eli Finley was a second-team selection.

Sun Belt Media days kick off in New Orleans on Wednesday. Players and coaches from all three Louisiana schools will appear Thursday, along with the rest of the Sun Belt West.

07.13.26
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4:30 LRN Newscast

A St. Tammany Parish pastor was arrested for allegedly sexual abusing several children decades ago while serving at a church in Benton. 72-year-old David Mercer was taken into custody Friday afternoon at a property owned by First Baptist Church of Folsom, where he was working as a youth pastor. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Matthew Bertrand says it’s baffling that Mercer has continued to serve as youth pastor all this time.

Cut 14 (10) “…a little concerning.”

It’s a wet start to the work week. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says some parts of Louisiana had six to seven inches of rain on Saturday alone, and that rainy pattern will continue today and tomorrow.

Cut 7 (11) “…the same area.”

Meta is committing another 50-billion dollars to its Richland Parish data center, expanding the campus to nearly ten million square feet and five gigawatts of IT capacity. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Three youths at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe escaped the facility Saturday morning and were brought back into custody Saturday night. Juvenile Justice Specialist Makayla D. Kelly was arrested and fired and in connection with the escape.