11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Senate is holding a hearing on the Protect College Sports Act today. The bill attempts to “fix” college sports, return power to the NCAA and regulate NIL. USA Today’s Blake Toppmeyer says the SEC and Big Ten have reversed course on legislation.

Cut 20 (19) “…like this.”

Their primary issue is the proposed pooling of media rights in college sports. Toppmeyer says the two richest leagues don’t want to share that revenue.

Brother Martin five-star, Easton Royal, canceled visits to Ole Miss and Tennessee after a visit to Baton Rouge this weekend. Royal is committed to Texas, but LSU and Florida are leading the effort to flip the number one receiver in the 2027 class.

Franklin Parish High School four-star running back Trey Martin announced his three finalists are LSU, Florida and Ole Miss.

It was a historic regional round of the NCAA tournament. Little Rock and St. John’s became the first two four-seeds to advance in one tournament, and three-seeds Troy and Cal Poly also won their regionals. Former LSU star and ESPN analyst Todd Walker says the upsets defy logic.

Cut 16 (17) “…of the game.”

The Boys’ Basketball State Championships are returning to Lafayette after 12 years in Lake Charles, the LHSAA announced yesterday. Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission President Ben Berthelot says the community set the standard for the event when it hosted from 1997 to 2011.

Cut 19 (06) “…support it.”

The State Wrestling Championship is also moving to New Orleans, and the Powerlifting Championships are headed to West Monroe.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The National Football Foundation released the 2027 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. LSU All-Americans Alan Faneca and Patrick Peterson represent the Tigers. Former Saints offensive lineman and current coach Jahri Evans joins head coach and former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore on the ballot. Louisiana Tech coaching legend Maxie Lambright, quarterback Matt Dunigan and Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Troy Edwards were also included.

The College Football Playoff announced its broadcast schedule for the upcoming season. The Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans will serve as a semifinal matchup this year at 6:30 on January 15, the latest the bowl has ever been played. It will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.

The LHSAA Boys’ Basketball State Championship is headed to Lafayette. After 12 years in Lake Charles, the CAJUNDOME will host “Marsh Madness” for the first time since 2011. The Powerlifting State Championships will move to the West Monroe Sports and Events Complex, and the State Wrestling Championships will depart Bossier City and return to New Orleans.

Saints Veteran wide receiver Chris Olave has been an active participant at voluntary OTAs despite ongoing contract negotiations over a possible extension. The All-Pro missed last year’s season finale with a blood clot found in his lung, but quarterback Tyler Shough says he hasn’t missed a beat.

Cut 18 (19) “…the whole year.”

 

Reports have swirled about changes coming to the Pelicans roster. Vice President Joe Dumars has said the team is open to trades, and Locked On Pelicans Podcast host Jake Madison reported the only two untouchables on the roster are All-Rookie team selections Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Bill Simmons said on his podcast he expects to see forward Trey Murphy traded in the next three weeks. Murphy has been linked to the Celtics and Thunder.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry signed an executive order directing BESE to reallocate 168-million dollars of non-instructional funding in the public school budget to prevent a potential teacher pay cut. School superintendents, however, say they need more money because of rising fuel costs, insurance and other expenses.

Landry says since 1988, Louisiana’s K-through-12 enrollment has dropped by more than 111-thousand students, yet the cost to educate each child has increased 67-percent……

Cut 10 (07) “…priorities problem.”

Former Louisiana Congressman Charles Boustany told Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana about his visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and observe some of the country’s humanitarian efforts. He says the images we see at home do not tell the whole story.

Cut 13 (11) “…we are now.”

Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says the organization is pleased with how the legislative session went. One bill spurring the sentiment is one that modernizes the state’s workers’ comp system and helps reduce costs for small businesses.

Cut 4 (12) “…employee making money.”

Long says the organization was also playing defense with some bills that it did not agree with, including those which would have imposed new labor mandates and regulatory mandates on small businesses.

The LHSAA announced it would be relocating three State Championships this upcoming school year. The Boys’ Basketball State Championships will return to the CAJUNDOME in Lafayette for the first time since 2011. The Powerlifting State Championships will move to the West Monroe Sports and Events Complex, and the State Wrestling Championships will return to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry announced his solution today to prevent a potential pay cut for teachers. The governor has signed an executive order that directs BESE to find 168-million dollars that’s NOT used on instruction from the state’s public school funding formula and use that money to pay a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand dollar stipend for support workers…..

Cut 9 (10)  “…sitting on”

It’s been seven months since LSU announced the hiring of new President Wade Rousse. In that time, he’s committed to making improvements across the Baton Rouge campus. He says the two things students ask him about the most are parking and housing, and a project is currently underway near the softball field.

Cut 6 (14) “…and we will.”

The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry signed a law to replace the current vehicle inspection sticker with a QR code sticker. Owners will pay six dollars for the sticker and receive it in the mail when securing or renewing their registration, compared to the ten-dollar-a-year inspection stickers.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The NCAA Regionals concluded last night with five winner-take-all finals and a delayed St. John’s win over Florida State. The Red Storm will join Little Rock as the first time two four-seeds advance to Super Regionals in tournament history. Troy will host the Trojans after waxing Florida in a 10-2 upset yesterday. St. John’s gets Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

There are two all-SEC Supers as Auburn hosts Ole Miss after surviving a scare from Milwaukee, and Georgia hosts Mississippi State.

It’s the second straight year both of the top two national seeds failed to advance after UCLA was shocked by St. Mary’s twice and Oklahoma eliminated Georgia Tech with a tenth-inning walk-off homer yesterday. The Sooners will take on Kansas in the Lawrence Super Regional, and Cal Poly advanced from the LA Regional to face West Virginia, who knocked out Kentucky in a tenth-inning walk-off.

USC upset Texas A&M last night in a 7-1 win to move on to the Chapel Hill Super Regional against UNC.

Texas will host Oregon after both schools cruised through their own regionals undefeated.

The Saints will be back on the practice field for Organized Team Activities tomorrow. New Orleans is missing veterans Cam Jordan, Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu, who were all around this time last year. Quarterback Tyler Shough says he’s focused on improving as the leader of the offense on and off the field in their absence, especially for a group of rookies in the same position as he was a season ago.

Cut 17 (19)  “…to prepare yourself.”

Running back Alvin Kamara has not been present at voluntary OTAs as he prepares for the season with his trainer in Miami. Despite the addition of Travis Etienne and question marks surrounding retirement and contract restructuring, Kamara’s agent, Brad Cicala (Sih-Kaluh), told NFL insider Mike Garafolo, “We plan on playing for the Saints in 2026.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

UL-Lafayette ended its season with a 19-5 loss to Mississippi State in the Starkville regional final last night. The Cajuns talented group of freshmen couldn’t keep their postseason magic alive, but head coach Matt Deggs says the future is bright.

Cut 7 (14) “…of season, man.”

While the first round of the NCAA baseball tournament is wrapping up. The college baseball transfer window officially opened today. Five Tigers have already entered the portal: third baseman Trent Carraway, right-handed pitcher Mavrick Rizy, left-hander D.J. Primeaux, righty Jaden Noot and outfielder Daniel Harden.

Northwestern State freshman left-hander Brody Trosclair also announced he’d be entering the portal. The Thibodaux native was named Southland Conference freshman of the year after going 5-and-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 55 strikeouts this season.

LSU softball ace Jayden Heavener announced she’d be transferring after leading the Tigers with 22 starts in 32 games this season. The sophomore posted a 2.81 ERA with 128 strikeouts and 22 walks. The former D1Softball Freshman All-American Second-Team selection also pitched 16 games and earned 2 saves.

Former LSU star and Super Bowl champion Odell Beckham Jr. signed with the Giants after working out with the team this morning. The 33-year-old was drafted by New York in 2014. Beckham did not play last season and has just 9 catches and 55 yards in 9 games with the Dolphins in 2024.

Cedar Creek junior left-handed pitcher and first baseman Kade Luker was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year and Class 1A MVP. He struck out 135 batters in 74 innings with a 1.04 ERA and hit .531 at the plate with five home runs, 36 RBI, 12 doubles, 7 triples and 28 stolen bags.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Today is day one of hurricane season. GOHSEP says it’s ready, and it wants you to be too. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Registration opened today for another round of fortified roof grants. 3,000 individuals within a 130-mile-per-hour wind zone will be selected to receive a ten-thousand-dollar grant. For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance website. Registration closes June 19 and winners will be selected June 22.

The UL Lafayette baseball season came to a close after a 19-5 loss to Mississippi State in the Starkville Regional final last night. The Cajuns ran out of gas after a stellar end to the season and postseason push that included 11 games over the last 13 days. Head coach Matt Deggs says they had more in the tank.

Cut 16 (17) “…there yet.”

Governor Landry allowed a bill banning the release of balloons to become law without his signature. Landry vetoed a similar bill previously, citing enforceability concerns. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says when balloons end up in waterways, they can threaten marine wildlife and more

Cut 11 (04) “…in the waterway.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The UL-Lafayette baseball season came to an end last night after the Ragin’ Cajuns fell to Mississippi State 19-5. The depleted UL bullpen couldn’t keep up with the Bulldog batters who knocked 20 hits and nine runs in the final three innings. Cajuns head coach Matt Deggs didn’t make excuses after playing 11 games in 13 days.

Cut 16 (17) “…there yet.”

Mississippi State will advance to the Athens Super Regional against Georgia, the No. 3 national seed.

LSU scheduled a visit with the second-ranked safety prospect in Louisiana’s 2027 class, Jayden Anding. The Ruston High School four-star is ranked tenth in the state and is the brother of current Tiger cornerback Aidan Anding.

The final games of the NCAA Regionals will get underway this afternoon and this evening. St. John’s and Florida State are facing off in the first of two possible regional finals today at noon thanks to delays in the Tallahassee Regional over the weekend. The rest will be winner-take-all Regional finals. Oklahoma takes on 2nd-ranked Georgia Tech at 3:00. At 6, Auburn will have a third run at Milwaukee, Florida will look to bounce back against Troy and Kentucky and West Virginia will face off in Morgantown. The final game of the night is between 19th-ranked USC and tenth-ranked Texas A&M at 9 p.m.

The LSU Track and Field team advanced 11 tickets in both the men’s and women’s fields to the track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon, next week. The men are headlined by a trio of Malachi Austin, Grant Buckmiller and Amal Glasgow, who all qualified in the 400 meter. The Tiger Women also advanced a trio of sprinters in Tima Godbless, Athaleyha Hinckson and Shawnti Jackson in the 100-meter. Jackson will also run in the 200-meter.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints ended the first two days of preseason Organized Team Activities yesterday. Head Coach Kellen Moore says eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson, who battled injuries at Arizona State, has been limited through rookie minicamp and OTAs.

Cut 16 (11) “…lot of them.”

Also returning from injury are center Erik McCoy, safety Julian Blackmon and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. McCoy has missed 10 games in each of the last two seasons and was sidelined by a bicep injury that required significant procedures to repair, but he says he feels 100% after extensive offseason rehab. Blackmon started week one at safety last year but missed almost the entire season with a torn labrum. He’s returned to his role as deep safety, shifting sophomore safety Jonas Sanker into the slot for the majority of first-team reps. Emerson was a full participant after recovering from a torn Achilles. The veteran corner signed with the Saints this offseason after three productive seasons with the Browns

UL-Lafayette will begin its NCAA Baseball tournament run tonight in game two of the Starkville Regional against Cincinnati. The Cajuns are coming off a hot end to the season, winning four out of five games against a then-ranked Coastal Carolina team and finishing the Sun Belt Championship as runner-up behind Southern Miss. They’ll face a Cincinnati team ranked 24th in the country by D-1 Baseball and led by sophomore infielder Quinton Coats, whose 28 homers rank fourth in college baseball. The Bearcats won their last six conference series of the regular season and are 8-and-3 in May. First pitch between the Cajuns and Bearcats is at 6:00. The winner will go on to face host Mississippi State, while the loser takes on Lipscomb in an elimination game.

Chalmette High School product Mitchell Robinson plans to return from pinky surgery for Game One of the NBA Finals. The Knicks center underwent successful surgery on his right pinky finger, which he injured off the court during New York’s Eastern Conference Finals Sweep of the Cavaliers. Robinson is a former five-star recruit out of Chalmette High and has spent eight seasons with the Knicks, who are making their first Finals appearance in 27 years.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

25th-ranked UL-Lafayette will take on 24th-ranked Cincinnati tonight in their first game of the Starkville Regional. The Ragin’ Cajuns are the only Louisiana team to make it to the NCAA tournament after posting a 39-and-23 record this season and finishing second in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Cajuns junior right-hander Cody Brasch will get the start on the mound. Brasch is 6-and-2 this season with a  2.04 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 70.2 innings. For the Bearcats it will be Nate Taylor. The All-Big 12 honorable mention has a 6-and-3 record with 112 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA through 84 innings. First pitch in Starkville is set for 6 p.m.

Two Tigers punched their tickets to the track and field championship in Eugene, Oregon last night. Junior javelin thrower Alexis Guillory hit a mark of 51.28 meters, and Kenyan freshman distance runner Abigael Chemnagei (chem-NAH-gay) ran the ten-thousand meters in a time of 33-minutes 15.21-seconds to qualify.

The Saints wrapped up their first two days of Organized Team Activity yesterday. Head Coach Kellen Moore says now that Tyler Shough is the solidified QB1 without a preseason position battle to navigate, he expects to see big development from the sophomore signal- caller.

Cut 17 (24)  “…build it together.”

The Saints resume OTAs Tuesday.

Former Chalmette High School star Mitchell Robinson will be ready for game one of the NBA Finals next week. Robinson underwent successful surgery on his right pinky earlier this week after injuring it in the Eastern Conference Finals. He has been a key defensive anchor off the bench, averaging 5.7 points and 8.8 boards per game while shooting over 72% from the floor.