4:45 LRN Sportscast June 22

Nevada has made it official naming LSU’s Executive Deputy Director of Athletics, Stephanie Rempe as the Wolfpack’s new athletic director. Rempe had been with the Tigers since 2019.

McNeese outfielder Payton Harden, the 2022 Southland Conference Player of the Year has been named the 2022 SLC Student-Athlete of the Year, the league announced earlier today. Harden is the first Cowboy to win the award since 1994.

The NFL was rocked this morning by the news of the death of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson at the age of 26. Ferguson, who was born in Zachary, played his high school ball at West Feliciana before attending Louisiana Tech and setting the FBS record for sacks in a career. Ferguson is survived by his son and two daughters and his fiancée Doni Smith. His coach at West Feliciana, Robb Odom, says in a short time Ferguson left a strong legacy as both a competitor and as a man.

Cut 11 (10) “…a better person.”

At the College World Series, there are just three teams still standing. The Oklahoma Sooners sent Texas A-and-M home after beating the Aggies 5-1 this afternoon. Jimmy Crooks blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first and David Sandlin allowed just one run in seven innings while striking out 12 to lead OU into the Finals. Tonight, Ole Miss takes on Arkansas for the fifth time this season. They split the first four games between them, but a win by the Rebels put them in the Finals as well.

The NBA Draft is tomorrow and a couple of Louisiana players could have their names called…LSU’s Tari Eason should go in the first round. Louisiana Tech big man Kenneth Lofton Jr and LSU forward Darius Days are projected as second-rounders.

The Pelicans have the eighth pick and Jake Madison, host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, says New Orleans is in an enviable position.

Cut 20 (13) “…them to make.”

1:30 LRN Newscast June 22

Governor Edwards has signed legislation that requires every nursing home in the state to have an emergency preparedness plan approved by the state department of health. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the previous says law required nursing homes to have an emergency preparedness plan, but it did not require approval from L-D-H….

Cut 13 (06) “…the inspection.”

Friends and fans are still reacting to the sudden death of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson at the age of 26. The St. Francisville native starred at West Feliciana high school. His coach there, Robb Odom, says Ferguson was one of the building blocks of the program as it climbed from contending during his high school career to winning the 3A state title in 2017. Ferguson set the tone in the locker room and on the field, serving as a leader and role model for his teammates.

Cut 10 (12) ”…the community.”

A recent operation by the Central Louisiana Violent Crime Abatement Teams results in over 150 arrests. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A 15-year-old male was shot and killed in Lafayette last night. At around 10:40 pm, Lafayette Police responded to a call regarding aggravated battery by shooting. When officers arrived they found the victim critically injured. He was transported by ambulance to an area hospital before he was pronounced deceased. If you have any information, please contact the LPD or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 337-232-TIPS.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 22

Nevada has made it official naming LSU’s Executive Deputy Director of Athletics, Stephanie Rempe as the Wolfpack’s new athletic director. Rempe oversees all aspects of LSU athletics and has done that since arriving with A-D Scott Woodward in 2019. She was heavily involved in securing coaches Brian Kelly, Kim Mulkey, and Matt McMahon and instrumental in the development of Louisiana’s new Name, Image, and Likeness legislation among other accomplishments. Scott Rabalais of The Advocate says we may not have seen the last of her.

Cut 21 (14) “…Woodward retires.”

ESPN has the LSU women’s basketball team ranked 14th in its “way too early Top 25” for the upcoming season. The Tigers sustained some big losses in talent, but are about to add a top 20 recruiting class as well as Third Team All-American Angel Reese from Maryland to the mix.

At the College World Series, the field is down to its Final Four, with three of those coming from the SEC…Texas A-and-M eliminated Notre Dame 10-2 and Arkansas ended Auburn’s season with an 11-1 rout. The Aggies face Oklahoma this afternoon; a win by the Sooners sends them to the Finals. Tonight, Ole Miss takes on Arkansas for the fifth time this season. They split the first four games between them, but a win by the Rebels put them in the Finals as well.

LSU baseball has 10 players getting some extra work in playing summer ball, with seven competing in the Cape Cod League, considered the top summer college baseball league in the country. Jordan Thompson, Bryce Collins, Grant Taylor, Garrett Edwards, Hayden Travinski, Paul Gervase, and Josh Pearson are all heading to the Northeast. Grant Fontenot will compete in the Texas League, while Luke Leto and Josh Stevenson make their way to Wisconsin to play in the Northwoods League.

The NBA Draft is tomorrow and a couple of Louisiana players could have their names called…LSU’s Tari Eason should go in the first round. Louisiana Tech big man Kenneth Lofton Jr and LSU forward Darius Days are projected as second-rounders.

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 21

LSU executive deputy athletic director and COO Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department and is considered to be one of the nation’s most respected deputy ADs. She came to LSU with Scott Woodward when he was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019 and has steadily risen through the ranks over a nearly 25-year career in athletics administration.

LSU baseball has added some strength to its middle infield with the announcement that Baylor shortstop Jack Pineda will be joining the Tigers. Pineda batted .300 with seven home runs as a junior for the Bears this past season, committing eight errors in 54 games, and earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition.

The SEC West continues to reign supreme at the College World Series as Texas A-and-M beat Notre Dame to eliminate the Fighting Irish this afternoon. However, someone is going home tonight when Auburn faces Arkansas at 6 pm. The winner advances to meet Ole Miss Wednesday night. The Aggies take on Oklahoma tomorrow afternoon.

A major development in the Deshaun Watson saga, as 20 of the 24 women who have accused the quarterback of sexual assault have settled their lawsuits. The news was announced by the lawyer for the plaintiffs, Tony Buzbee, earlier today. Four other suits are still moving forward and the terms of the settlements were not disclosed.

Tampa Bay Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement from the NFL via social media today. Gronk, considered by many to be the greatest tight end of all time played 11 seasons, winning four Super Bowls and earning four First-Team All-Pro selections. If he’s serious this time, and speculation is that he may return later in the season, Gronkowski retires with 621 catches for more than 92 hundred yards and 92 TDs.

The New Orleans Pelicans released their NBA Summer League schedule, which takes place from July 7-17 in Las Vegas. The Pels open against the Trail Blazers on July 9, followed by the Hawks, Wizards, and Lakers with a final opponent to be determined.

This morning the Pelicans announced that they will hold one of their preseason games in Birmingham, Alabama. The Pels will play the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 14 at Legacy Arena, the home of New Orleans’ G-League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 21

LSU executive deputy athletic director and COO Stephanie Rempe is reportedly set to become the new athletic director at Nevada. Rempe plays a critical role in LSU’s athletic department and is considered to be one of the nation’s most respected deputy ADs. She came to LSU with Scott Woodward when he was hired as LSU’s athletic director in 2019 and has steadily risen through the ranks over a nearly 25-year career in athletics administration.

LSU baseball has added some strength to its middle infield with the announcement that Baylor shortstop Jack Pineda will be joining the Tigers. Pineda batted .300 with seven home runs as a junior for the Bears this past season, committing eight errors in 54 games, and earning All-Big 12 honorable mention recognition.

At the College World Series, all four SEC schools are still alive as Auburn beat Stanford 6-2 to avoid elimination. Ole Miss continued its roll with a 13-5 beating of Arkansas. A pair of elimination games today as Texas A-and-M faces Notre Dame this afternoon and Auburn takes on Arkansas in the nightcap.

The 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is already hard at work. They have released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create its logo and visual brand identity as it moves down the road to Super Bowl 59. While the RFQ does not require a design, Jay Cicero of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, says there’s a distinct flavor that the committee and the NFL will be looking for during the submission process once the field of applicants is narrowed.

Cut 15 (12) “…we can be proud of.”

For the second year in a row, LSU basketball will participate in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers will take on Wake Forest on Dec. 10 in State Farm Arena.

The New Orleans Pelicans released their NBA Summer League schedule, which takes place from July 7-17 in Las Vegas. The Pels open against the Trail Blazers on July 9, followed by the Hawks, Wizards, and Lakers with a final opponent to be determined.

LRN AM Newscall June 21

You may be double-checking your calendar, but today is the first official day of summer. David Grubb has more on the rising temperatures that await…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m David Grubb.”

____________________________________

While folks are watching their wallet and their gas tank this summer, state tourism is adjusting its promotional campaigns also. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards vetoes bills creating Education Savings Accounts to help kids behind in reading and with other learning challenges. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

Though the temperatures may have indicated otherwise, today is the first official day of summer. State climatologist Barry Keim says get used to the sweltering temperatures because they aren’t going anywhere.

Cut 4 (10)  “…this past week.”

Keim says this month could be an all-timer when it comes to daily and monthly thermometer readings, and encourages people to stay safe by limiting their time outdoors, staying hydrated, and making sure that homes are properly insulated.

Cut 5 (12) “…be smart about it.”

Temps should top 100 several times over the next few days as the heat wave continues to roll on. Keim says high-pressure systems across the Eastern US have made it harder to sustain any cloud cover or generate the afternoon showers that help bring temperatures down, leading to Louisiana becoming one giant oven…

Cut 6 (13)  “…even dangerous.”

_____________________________________________

Due to gas prices impacting summer travel, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ve made a few marketing tweaks for tourism and so far, they appear to be working. He says they’ve scraped their One Tank Get Around Louisiana campaign and changed it to a half-tank of gas.

Cut 7 (07) “…tank of gas.”

And they’ve also been running promotions a bit closer to home in neighboring states. Nungesser says the campaigns include state parks and other great things to do and see in Louisiana. He says the Staycation promotion that worked so well during the pandemic is also in play this summer.

Cut 8 (07)  “…with that.”

But Nungesser says they are also putting long-term promotions into play, especially since COVID test requirements have been lifted for international travelers visiting the US.

Cut 9 (12)  “…as soon as possible.”

Nungesser says despite gas prices there’s still pent-up demand to travel and state parks are on track for another record-breaking year.

____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed bills to create so-called Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). The bills were intended to assist students who have special educational needs or are behind on reading skills. Daniel Erspamer (pronounced: ER-spay-mer), with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy calls the vetoes a disappointment…:

Cut 10 (13) “…be serving them.”

In his statement on the vetoes, Edwards says the bills labels are a “misnomer” and the bills don’t establish any accounts for parental savings at all. Edwards says they would potentially sap public school funding away to give to private school students, despite the authors’ good intentions. Erspamer says ESA’s are successful and beneficial to students who are a bit behind their peers…:

Cut  11 (14)  “…all over the country.” 

Louisiana is among the worst states in the U.S. for education, and literacy among kids is a particular problem. Erspamer says the Governor’s veto is a sad development, but he doesn’t see this as merely partisan politics…:

Cut 12 (15) “…kids…need…help.” 

Erspamer says the bills will be back in future legislative sessions and they’ll eventually become law, because ESA’s do help.

____________________________________________

Though the Super Bowl won’t be back in New Orleans for another two-plus years, the 2025 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee is already hard at work. Now, the committee has released a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ, for local graphic designers and firms to help create the logo and visual brand identity as it moves down the road to Super Bowl 59. Here’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero…

Cut 13 (12) “…for this RFQ.”

All firms wishing to submit must do so before July 1st as the RFQ is just the first step of a multi-stage process which will end with one group or individual chosen to help brand the organization preparing for a record-tying 11th Super Bowl to be played in The Big Easy. With the amount of interest a job like this is sure to draw, Cicero says there’s no time to waste.

Cut 14 (11)  “…a lengthy process.”

While the RFQ does not require a design, Cicero says there’s a distinct flavor that the committee and the NFL will be looking for during the submission process once the field of applicants is narrowed.

Cut 15 (12)  “…we can be proud of.”

For more information visit g-n-o-sports-dot-com.

________________________________________

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 20

In Omaha, Auburn managed to stay alive at the College World Series by beating number two seed Stanford, eliminating the Cardinal. Tonight, Arkansas faces Ole Miss. Sunday, Oklahoma beat Notre Dame, putting the Sooners one victory away from the final and Texas A-and-M sent arch-rival Texas packing. The Irish and Aggies play Tuesday in another elimination game.

LSU coach Jay Johnson says he began preparing for next season almost immediately following the Tigers’ loss to Southern Miss in the NCAA regionals. He says he’ll be consistent with the plan he’s laid out for the program while staying flexible enough to navigate the ever-changing world of college sports.

Cut 19 (17) “…adapt and go.”

An eighth baseball player from LSU has entered the transfer portal, with Will Safford adding his name to the list. The sophomore infielder from Baton Rouge appeared in 32 games over two seasons. So far just one player, infielder Brennan Holt, has found a new home…Holt is headed to Oklahoma State.

For the second year in a row, LSU basketball will participate in the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers will take on Wake Forest on Dec. 10 in State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Hawks. LSU defeated the Demon Deacons 75-61 last season in the championship of the Emerald Coast Classic. As of now, the Tigers have 11 of their 13 non-conference games scheduled.

The New Orleans Pelicans released their schedule for the NBA Summer League, which takes place from July 7-17 in Las Vegas. The Pels open against the Trail Blazers on July 9, followed by the Hawks, Wizards, and Lakers. Their final opponent is still to be determined. The teams with the best two records after four games will meet in the Summer League Championship Game on July 17.

11:40 LRN Sportscast June 20

Oklahoma is just one win away from the College World Series final after beating Notre Dame 6-2 on Sunday. Meanwhile, Texas was eliminated following a 10-2 loss to rival Texas A-and-M. Today in Omaha, Auburn faces Stanford in an elimination game at 1 pm, followed by Ole Miss versus Arkansas tonight at 7 pm.

Watching the SEC West invade Nebraska hasn’t been easy for LSU fans or Tigers head coach Jay Johnson. While he’d rather be competing for a championship this week, Johnson says LSU accomplished a lot of good things this past season.

Cut 18 (19) “…as we could.”

The Manning Passing Academy announced its lineup of counselors for the 26th edition of the camp for junior high and high school passers. This year’s crop is the biggest in camp history with 45 college signal-callers invited to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. Included among them are seven projected first-round picks, like Alabama’s Bryce Young and Florida’s Anthony Richardson, as well as LSU’s Myles Brennan, Tulane’s Michael Pratt, and Kohen Granier from Nicholls. The only part of the academy open to the public is the college skills competition on Friday night at John L. Guidry Stadium. Admission is $15 per person. The camp is run, of course, by the first family of Louisiana football. Once again, Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli Manning will all be on hand, with top prospect Arch Manning in attendance.

One of Manning’s top targets, Newman tight end Will Randle has turned down offers from LSU and Tulane among others, announcing his commitment to Texas this past weekend.

The Ragin Cajuns picked up a commitment from E.D. White offensive lineman Matthew Broussard, who made his announcement on Twitter Saturday. He also had offers from UL-Monroe, Nicholls, Southeastern, and Northwestern State.

6:45 LRN Sportscast June 20

Texas is the first team to be eliminated from the College World Series after the Longhorns fell to Texas A-and-M 10-2 on Sunday. The Aggies will face Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon following the Sooners 6-2 win over Notre Dame. Today in Omaha, Stanford takes on Auburn followed by Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Over the past week LSU baseball lost a pair of assistants as top recruiter Dan Fitzgerald and pitching coach Jason Kelly accepted head coaching  jobs at Kansas and Washington respectively. Coach Jay Johnson says they’ll be tough to replace but doesn’t expect the Tigers to miss a beat.

Cut 17 (16) “ …(x2) all will be well.” 

–BREAK

Newman tight end Will Randle has turned down offers from LSU and Tulane among others, announcing his commitment to Texas this past weekend. Randle made his visit to Austin with Greenies star quarterback Arch Manning, the top recruit in the 2023 class.

The Ragin Cajuns picked up a commitment from E.D. White offensive lineman Matthew Broussard, who made his announcement on Twitter Saturday. He also had offers from UL-Monroe, Nicholls, Southeastern, and Northwestern State.

The New Orleans Breakers lost to the Houston Gamblers 20-3 on Sunday night and will go into the USFL playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 6-4 record. The Breakers will face Birmingham this Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio with a spot in the inaugural USFL championship game on the line.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open by one stroke; his first PGA Tour major championship. Fitzpatrick, who also won the US Amateur at Brookline in 2013, becomes the 13th player to win both, and just the second to do so on the same course.

4:45 LRN Sportscast June 17

It looks like a second assistant coach from the LSU baseball team will be taking a head coaching job. After losing lead recruiter Dan Fitzgerald to Kansas on Wednesday, today it was announced that pitching coach Jason Kelly has accepted the head job at the University of Washington. Kelly was an assistant at UW from 2013 to 2019 and was named National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018. Tigers coach Jay Johnson says when you have a strong program, schools are going to come looking to take a piece for themselves.

Cut 17 (20) “…we have here.”

The 2022 College World Series is underway in Omaha. Oklahoma and Texas A-and-M got things started this afternoon, with Notre Dame and Texas playing the nightcap.

The Saints wrapped up minicamp yesterday by working indoors to escape the heat. The team had total participation in minicamp and Dennis Allen thinks they laid a great foundation heading into training camp next month.

Cut 16 (21)  “…2022 season.”

The Golden State Warriors are NBA Champions for the fourth time in the past eight seasons. Golden State beat the Boston Celtics 103-90 to close the Finals in six games. Steph Curry finished with 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists and earned his first Finals MVP. NBA Draft is up next on Thursday night. The New Orleans Pelicans hold the 8th selection in the draft.