4:45 LRN Sportscast

Marcus Spears Jr., the son of the former LSU defensive lineman, announced he will be reclassifying to the 2026 class and attending Texas this season. Spears was the top-rated recruit in the class of 2027 by ESPN. LSU, Arizona and Kentucky were also targeting the f-foot-9 five-star forward. Ruston High School four-star Ahmad Hudson is the only commitment in Will Wade’s 2027 class.

LSU unexpectedly lost freshman righty pitcher Marcos Paz to the transfer portal. Paz posted a 9.20 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 17 appearances, including six starts, but head coach Jay Johnson believed he had the tools to be a weekend starter next year. He says he was surprised when Paz decided to leave.

Cut 18 (17) “…entitled to that.”

LSU President Wade Rousse invited LSU athletics’ top 40 donors to a meeting at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss the department’s financial future. Rousse and Governor Jeff Landry will present what they call “an alternative revenue-generating opportunity for LSU athletics that is first of its kind nationally and could quite possibly change the future of college sports in America.”

The Lafayette District Attorney’s Office is investigating reports of a UL Lafayette football recruiter who misused a university credit card to pay for over five-thousand-dollars worth of unallowed alcohol and food costs. The recruiter allegedly submitted false documents to get paid for the costs. A state auditor says there were other incidents totaling over 75-thousand dollars.

McNeese baseball coach Justin Hill signed a four-year contract extension to stay in Lake Charles. Hill has led the Cowboys to three Southland regular season titles, two tournament titles and a tournament championship game appearance last year.

The Pelicans have now lost 12-straight Summer League games after losing 105-92 to the Timberwolves in their first Summer League game.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU welcomed its third transfer outfielder commit in Oregon freshman Angel Laya last weekend. Laya hit .296 with 14 homers this season, but LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson told Tiger Rag Radio all three of the newcomers can do more than just swing the bat.

Cut 16 (17) “…high-end hitters.”

The Tigers will likely lose outfielders Derek Curiel and Jake Brown to the MLB Draft this weekend. Curiel is a projected top-ten pick.

The Pelicans tip off the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas against the Timberwolves today. New Orleans will look to snap an 11-game Summer League losing streak after going winless in 2024 and 2025. Tip-off is at 2:30.

Sun Belt West schools announced which players will be joining their head coaches at Sun Belt Media Days in New Orleans next week.

Redshirt junior quarterback Lunch Winfield and redshirt senior offensive lineman George Jackson will represent UL Lafayette.

Louisiana Tech will send senior tight end Eli Finley and graduate linebacker Kolbe Fields

Senior offensive lineman AJ Vinson and senior linebacker Noah Flemmings will attend for ULM

The Saints announced the open practice schedule for this year’s training camp. Players report July 28, and the first public practice is the 30th. New Orleans hosts nine open practices in all, including one at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium August 26. Joint practices with the Jaguars and Cowboys are also open.

Former Louisiana Tech and Ruston High School pitcher Cade Gibson made his second of back-to-back relief appearances for the Marlins last night. Gibson allowed no hits and struck out three in two innings against the Mariners. Tuesday night, Gibson earned his second win of the season as he allowed no runs and no hits in the tenth inning of a 6-5 walk-off win over Seattle

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU received its 16th football recruiting commitment for 2027 in Ruston four-star safety Jayden Anding. Anding announced his decision between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday after postponing his pledge date last week. Matt Belinson with the Ruston Daily Leader says he was always going to be a Tiger.

Cut 16 (13) “…choice for him.”

Jayden’s brother, Aiden Anding, is a sophomore cornerback at LSU. The class is now ranked 10th in the nation.

Two Southern Jaguars were named preseason All-SWAC selections. Redshirt junior defensive back Herman Brister was named to the first-team defense. Brister was third on the team with 5 tackles in ten games last season and recorded five PBUs. Redshirt Junior running back Trey Holly made the second-team offense after rushing for 869 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago.

Grambling had three players on the preseason All-SWAC second team. Offensive lineman Alexander Vigil played over 600 snaps for the Tigers last season and helped the offense rack up 1,712 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Linebacker Mercellius Johnson was second on the team last season with 51 total tackles to go along with 4-and-a-half tackles for loss and two sacks. Specialist Jay’Shaun Johnson returned 10 kicks for 290 yards and one touchdown that came on homecoming against Texas Southern.

The Saints announced their training camp schedule. Players will report July 28, with practice kicking off the 29th. The first public practice is scheduled for Thursday, July 30. Season ticketholders will be able to reserve tickets starting at 9 a.m. Monday, and they’ll open to the general public 24 hours later.

Angel Reese was named to her third-straight All-Star team. The former LSU star is averaging almost 15 points and 12 rebounds a game this season.

4:30 LRN Newscast

State Senator Larry Selders passed away unexpectedly of a suspected heart attack suffered at an event last night. The Baton Rouge Democrat was 44 years old. Fellow Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she is still in disbelief.

Cut 3 (10) “…serving the people.”

Selders had surgery for a heart aneurysm in May.

Federal assistance is now available to homeowners and renters in four parishes who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur. Nate Custer with FEMA says those parishes are Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne.

Cut 6 (10) “…considered for that.”

To apply, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA.

Colorado State University is once again lowering its hurricane forecast for 2026. Senior Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach says the forecast now calls for nine named storms, including Arthur, including four hurricanes, with one of them being a major hurricane.

Cut 9 (09)  “…normal hurricane season.”

He says the primary cause for the below-average season is a strong El Nino.

According to the latest labor market report, Louisiana tied for the nation’s largest increase in labor force participation. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says nearly 33-thousand additional Louisianans entered the labor force, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking work…

Cut 21 (12) “…things happened together”

Schowen believes the state is doing a better job connecting people with education, training and employment opportunities.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding committed to LSU yesterday. Anding said he chose LSU because he wants to develop under secondary coach Corey Raymond. Matt Belinson, who covers the Bearcats for the Ruston Daily Leader, says Anding was also the latest in a growing line of LSU commits who credited their recruitment to Coach O.

Cut 17 (14) “…have been happening.”

LSU’s 2027 class now holds 16 commitments and ranks 10th nationally by 247Sports. The website listed the Tigers outside the top 60 just one month ago

Former LSU women’s basketball phenom Angel Reese earned her third straight WNBA All-Star selection, each year since being drafted 7th overall in 2024. She is leading the league with nearly 12 rebounds a game and is averaging a career-high nearly 15 points per game.

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes earned his first win since May 9th, rebounding from the worst stretch of his young pro career. The Pirates beat the Braves 12-4 last night as Skenes allowed just two runs in six innings. His ERA this season is now 3.58, nearly double that of his first two seasons.

Neville quarterback Parker Robinson committed to Bryant Vincent and the ULM Warhawks. Last season for Neville, Robinson threw for nearly three thousand yards, 21 touchdowns and three interceptions. The only other pledge in ULM’s class is three-star Oklahoma quarterback Kason Delgado.

The Pelicans tip off NBA Summer League in Las Vegas tomorrow against the Timberwolves at 2:30. The New Orleans summer league team is led by assistant coach God Shammgod and features this year’s 58th overall pick, Jaron Pierre and 2025 second-rounder Micah Peavy. The roster includes two New Orleans natives in Pierre and Maryland forward Solomon Washington as well as former McNeese standout Christian Shumate. All-rookie second-team selections Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears are not on the team.

11:30 LRN Newscast

State Senator Larry Helder passed away unexpectedly of a suspected heart attack suffered at an event last night. The Baton Rouge Democrat was 44 years old. Fellow Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she is still in disbelief.

Cut 3 (10) “…serving the people.”

Helder was hospitalized with a heart aneurysm in May.

Federal assistance is now available to homeowners and renters in four parishes who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur. Nate Custer with FEMA says those parishes are Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne.

Cut 6 (10) “…considered for that.”

To apply, either download the FEMA app, go to disaster assistance-dot-gov, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA.

Louisianians spend a larger portion of their gross income on auto insurance than any other state in the nation, 6.1 percent. Lending Tree insurance analyst Rob Bhatt says there are things you can do to make car insurance more affordable.

Cut 12 (13) “…in an accident.”

LSU received its 16th football recruiting commitment for 2027 in Ruston four-star safety Jayden Anding. Anding announced his decision between LSU and Ole Miss yesterday after postponing his pledge date last week. Matt Belinson with the Ruston Daily Leader says he was always going to be a Tiger.

Cut 16 (13) “…choice for him.”

Jayden’s brother, Aiden Anding, is a sophomore cornerback at LSU.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Last week, we heard from Julia Letlow after she clinched the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. Now, we’re hearing from her Democratic opponent. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Senator Larry Selder passed away at the age of 44 after suffering a suspected heart attack while at an event last night. The Baton Rouge Democrat was hospitalized in May because of a heart condition and was elected to the state senate last year after serving as a representative.

A 528-bed holding facility for migrant families and unaccompanied children is under construction at England Airpark, a former military base in Alexandria. Ralph Hennessy, the executive director of the England Airpark Authority, says the people that will stay at this ICE facility are individuals volunteering to go back home and those who are going back as a family unit.

Cut 4 (06) “…in other ways.”

ICE is calling the Alexandria facility a staging area, not a detention center.

58.8-percent of working-age Louisianians are employed or actively seeking work, a nearly one percent increase from last year. That jump accounts for 33,000 workers and is the best growth rate in the nation. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says she suspects many of the new workers are people who weren’t looking for jobs before and grads staying in-state.

Cut 8 (10) “…rolls are shrinking.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Ruston High School four-star safety Jayden Anding plans on being a Tiger. Louisiana’s top-rated safety announced his commitment to LSU over Ole Miss this afternoon. He becomes LSU’s 16th commitment in a class that is ranked ninth nationally by 247Sports. Anding told Rivals YouTube live stream LSU gives him the best opportunity to improve his game.

Cut 19 (15) “…better place.”

A date has been set for LSU basketball’s nonconference clash with Houston. The Tigers will take on the Cougars in the Houston Toyota Center December 13. Houston has made it to the Sweet 16 each of the last seven seasons. Tigers point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. transferred to the Cougars this offseason.

The Saints are three weeks away from the start of training camp. The offense hopes to see improvement in year two under head coach Kellen Moore and quarterback Tyler Shough. Luke Johnson with Nola.com says training camp will bring some answers to a fresh unit.

Cut 16 (14) “…under Kellen Moore.”

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation is holding one of its big fundraising events, and it’s a chance for one lucky person to win two tickets to hundreds of South Louisiana’s best sporting events. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says…

Cut 8 (08) “…men’s and women’s”

To purchase a 100-dollar raffle go to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation’s website.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says this year’s legislative session was a very productive one for his department. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU received its 16th football recruiting commitment for 2027 in Ruston four-star safety Jayden Anding. Anding announced his decision between LSU and Ole Miss this afternoon. The top-rated safety in Louisiana joins five-star tight end Ahmad Hudson as the second Bearcat to commit to LSU’s 2027 class.

Last week, we heard from Julia Letlow after she officially became the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. Today, we’re hearing from her Democratic opponent. Jamie Davis notes that in both the primary and the runoff, nearly as many Democrats voted for him as the number of Republicans who voted for Letlow – despite Letlow spending more money by far.

Cut 13 (14)  “…tremendous amount different.”

Blood services provider Vitalant is having its worst blood shortage in two years. Barley Juarez with Vitalant Blood Banking says they especially need type “O” blood, especially “O”-negative.

Cut 4 (09) “…can take it.”

“O”-positive donations are also impactful as they can be given to anyone with any positive blood type. There will be several blood drives in the Morgan City, Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas this summer.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints players report for training camp in just three weeks. This offseason, coordinator Brandon Staley’s defense lost key players Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor. New Orleans welcomed back linebacker Kaden Ellis to replace Davis, and second-year safety Jonas Sanker is expected to fill Taylor’s nickel corner role. NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson says he isn’t sure if they’ll make up for the loss of the veterans.

Cut 18 (12) “…a good team.”

UL Lafayette announced a men’s basketball matchup with LSU this season. The teams will square off in the P-MAC December 22. The Tigers are 36-and-9 all-time against the Cajuns and have won their last eight matchups.

The U.S.’s World Cup run is over after a 4-1 loss to Belgium last night. The Stars and Stripes got behind early and were unable to mount a comeback against the world’s ninth-ranked team. All three host nations were knocked out in the round of 16.

Ruston High School safety Jayden Anding is scheduled to announce his decision between LSU and Ole Miss at 12:30 today. The four-star D-B is the brother of sophomore LSU corner Aiden Anding. He is ranked as the No. 9 prospect in Louisiana and No. 21 safety in the class by 247Sports.

Former LSU star Flau’jae Johnson led the Storm with 23 points in an 82-64 win over the Sparks last night. The rookie added five rebounds, three assists and a steal. She’ll have a rematch with Angel Reese’s Atlanta Dream Thursday night.

Mississippi State transfer infielder Nicholas Frontino committed to Louisiana Tech. The freshman was a top 100 shortstop coming out of high school but failed to make an appearance for the Bulldogs this year.

UL Lafayette landed a commitment from Chipola College transfer pitcher Joey Ervin. Ervin posted an 8-and-1 record in 16 appearances last season with a 5.74 ERA and 58 strikeouts.

Viral McNeese basketball student manager Amir Khan will reunite with Will Wade at LSU. He’ll join the Tigers’ staff in a similar role.