12:30 PM LRN Newscast

State Senator Blake Miguez dropped out of the U.S. Senate race but he’s announced he’s running for the District 5 U.S. House seat. The fact that Miguez does not live in District 5 isn’t keeping him from seeking to represent it and he says his focus is delivering wins for all of District 5. USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn says, it’s legal and it’s been done before, but he says, Miguez’s opponents are not holding back

Cut 7 (10) ” Senator Miguez…”

In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. announced the arrest of 50-year-old Rita Montgomery in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman.

Cut 15 (08)  “…forget them.”

The dates for the next two Sugar Bowls have been announced. Andrew Greenstein reports the latter one will be followed by an even bigger game.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Families in north Louisiana that rely on SNAP will see additional benefits because of the ice storm. Officials say there are thousands of households who have less money and less food because of road closures and extended power outages. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 4 (12) “…twenty percent.”

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

The recent ice storm did a lot of damage but Assistance is available for small businesses that lost revenue in the storm. Governor Landry says small business disaster loans are available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

Cut 6 (08) “…on their feet.”

The deadline to apply is November 2nd.

Next year’s Sugar Bowl will not be held on New Year’s night history. Instead, it will be played on Friday, January 15th. But because it’s a College Football Playoff Semifinal, Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while it breaks tradition, but it’s for the best.

Cut 3 (09) “…be in it.”

A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy paid for the poll.

Cut 7 (08) “…getting re-elected.”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent.

The race for the district 5 house seat Letlow gave up to run for U.S. Senate is getting crowded. Blake Miguez dropped out of the senate race to seek District 5 representation. State Senators Steward Cathey of Monroe and Rick Edmonds of Baton Rouge, state Representative Dixon Wallace McMakin of Baton Rouge, and Board of Regents Chair Misti Cordell of Monroe all confirmed that commitment to run. With qualifying just over a week away, USA Today Network’s Greg Hilburn called it a wild race.

Cut 26 (09) “…musical chairs”

10:30 LRN Newscast

A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent….

Cut 27 (11) “…economy”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”

Meanwhile, St. Tammany Parish Councilwoman Kathy Seidan has dropped out of the U-S Senate race.

A 50-year-old Shreveport woman has been charged in the deaths of her grandchildren, who died in a house fir in October. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says Rita Montogmery has been charged with aggravated arson and two counts of second-degree murder…

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way”

45-year-old Alonza Cooksey has also been arrested for her role in the blaze that killed 8-year-old Aliyah Spearman and five-year-old Danielle Robinson.

St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.

Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”

The remaining federal funding will go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A survey conducted by New Orleans pollster Greg Rigamer finds Congresswoman Julia Letlow leading Senator Bill Cassidy 57 to 22 percent in a head to head matchup. The survey also finds that only 22-percent of Republican primary voters believe Cassidy deserves reelection. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy, who has been around Louisiana politics for decades, says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow is a key factor.

Cut 9 (07)  “…anybody overcoming that.”

Ashy organized fundraisers for both Letlow and Governor Landry during Washington Mardi Gras.

Two women have been arrested in the deaths of an eight-year-old and five year old girls who died in a Shreveport house fire last October. One of the women arrested is 50-year-old Rita Montgomery, who is the grandmother of both children. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Junior says his heart with the families…

Cut 15 (10) “…not forget them”

Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein has announced that SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits to help them make ends meet after the ice storm

Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”

Governor Jeff Landry says small business disaster loans are also available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

The largest single flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward in St Tammany Parish as a result of nearly four-million dollars in federal money that the parish is receiving. Parish spokesperson Michael Vinsaneau says the start of construction is  still several years away, the securing of the federal funds advances the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project and the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project…

Cut 12 (12) “….your next step”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Good news for those affected by the Louisiana ice storms.  Not only will residents in eight north Louisiana parishes receive an additional 20 percent on their SNAP benefits this month, but there’s also assistance available for small businesses that lost revenue because of the storm.  Governor Jeff Landry says small business disaster loans are available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

Cut 6 (08) “…on their feet.”

St. Tammany Parish has secured nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for what will be the largest single flood reduction initiative in Louisiana history.  We’re told most of the money will fund the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project. The rest would go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish

Cut 11 (11) “…of Southeast Louisiana.”

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Almost four months after two girls were killed in a house fire in Shreveport, two people are arrested, with two more to follow. Jeff Palermo reports one of the suspects is the girls’ grandmother.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

New Orleans police are still searching for a suspect in the shooting in the parking lot of an Algiers apartment complex Monday that left a seven-year-old and an adult injured. Both victims were taken to the hospital and treated. Police since released few details about a potential suspect, but no arrests have been made.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy paid for the poll.

Cut 7 (08) “…getting re-elected.”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”

—————————–

The largest flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward after St. Tammany Parish secures almost four-million dollars in federal funding. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein has announced that SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits to help them make ends meet after the ice storm

Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”

 

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

A survey on the Republican Senate primary poll shows Congresswoman Julia Letlow is favored among GOP voters. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Families in north Louisiana that rely on SNAP will see additional benefits because of the ice storm. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 4 (12) “…their SNAP benefits.”

————————————-

St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.

Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”

In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. on the charges 50-year-old Rita Montgomery faces.

Cut 13 (12)  “…and criminal conspiracy.”

Eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman were killed in that fire.

LRN AM Newscall February 4

A survey on the Republican Senate primary shows Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the favorite among GOP voters. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The largest flood reduction project in Louisiana history moves forward after St. Tammany Parish secures almost four-million dollars in federal funding. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Almost four months after two girls were killed in a house fire in Shreveport, two people are arrested, with two more to follow. Jeff Palermo reports one of the suspects is the girls’ grandmother.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

______________________________________________

Families in north Louisiana that rely on SNAP will see additional benefits because of the ice storm. Officials say there are thousands of households who have less money and less food because of road closures and extended power outages. Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen)…

Cut 4 (12) “…their SNAP benefits.”

Greenstein says SNAP recipients in eight parishes in north Louisiana will receive an additional 20-percent of their January benefits. He says these individuals will not have to do anything additional to receive these added benefits and this will help thousands.

Cut 5 (07) “…by February 11th.”

Governor Landry says there is also assistance available for small businesses that lost revenue due to the ice storm. The governor says small business disaster loans are available to businesses in 19 north and central Louisiana parishes.

Cut 6 (08) “…on their feet.”

The deadline to apply is November 2nd.

______________________________________________________

A new poll finds that Congresswoman Julia Letlow is the preferred choice of Republican primary voters. The survey of 600 voters conducted by pollster Greg Rigamer finds Letlow receiving 27-percent of the vote to incumbent Bill Cassidy’s 21-percent. Business lobbyist Alton Ashy paid for the poll.

Cut 7 (08) “…getting re-elected.”

But Cassidy’s campaign has its own poll conducted by Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. It shows Cassidy getting 32-percent of the Republican primary vote to Letlow’s 21-percent. Cassidy says the race is about who has delivered for Louisiana.

Cut 8 (07) “…and other things.”

The Rigamer survey shows Letlow leading Cassidy 57-22 percent in a head to head matchup. The survey also finds that only 22-percent of Republican primary voters believe Cassidy deserves reelection. Ashy, who has been around Louisiana politics for decades, says President Trump’s endorsement of Letlow is a key factor.

Cut 9 (07)  “…anybody overcoming that.”

Ashy organized fundraisers for both Letlow and Governor Landry during Washington Mardi Gras.

______________________________________________________________

St. Tammany Parish will move forward with the largest single flood reduction initiative in state history. This, after it secures nearly four-million dollars in federal funding for a pair of projects. Michael Vinsanau with St. Tammany Parish says most of the money will go towards the St. Tammany Coastal Storm and Flood Risk Management Project.

Cut 10 (12) “…the entire parish.”

The remaining federal funding will go towards the Lake Pontchartrain Storm Surge Reduction Project. Vinsanau says with the total price tag for the two projects just shy of six-billion dollars, the federal funds will come in very handy.

Cut 11 (11) “…of Southeast Louisiana.”

Vinsanau says while the start of construction is still many years away, the securing of the federal funds advances those projects further than ever before.

Cut 12 (12) “…your next step.”

______________________________________________________________

In October, two young sisters were killed in a house fire in Shreveport – and now, two people, including their grandmother, have been arrested. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. announced the arrest of 50-year-old Rita Montgomery in connection with the fire that killed eight-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman. Reese listed the laundry list of charges Montgomery is facing.

Cut 13 (12)  “…and criminal conspiracy.”

Reese also announced the arrest of 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey; he’s charged with prohibited activities and sanctions, and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Reese says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way.”

Reese says both Montgomery and Cooksey lived in the home with the two girls. He said investigators have not established a motive at this time. Reese said his heart remains with the families of Aaliyah and Danielle.

Cut 15 (10) “…not forget them.”

Reese says arrest warrants are also out for two additional people – Sherika Spearman and Bobby Grant. Both will be charged with contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

______________________________________________________________

The UL-Lafayette men’s basketball team has won three of its last four games, and the Cajuns look to keep it hot as they’re at James Madison tonight. With the team’s recent success, Cajuns head coach Quannas White says he wants his team to remain humble.

Cut 16 (17) “…and be consistent.”

The Cajuns lost 10 straight games at the beginning of the season, but the team still has a chance at making the postseason, sitting only three games behind first place in the Sun Belt. White says he always believed his team would turn things around.

Cut 17 (18)  “…go to work.”

Tipoff is at six p.m.

_____________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball looks to bounce back from a loss to Sam Houston tonight, as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State. Tech is 5-5 in Conference USA play, but head coach Talvin Hester wants his team to continue improving, as anything can happen in March.

Cut 18 (13)  “…that last game.”

Junior guard D.J. Dudley has scored 20 or more points in the last four games for the Bulldogs. Hester says Dudley is a special player for several reasons.

Cut 19 (16) “…by the day.”

Tipoff is 6:30 p.m.

5:30 LRN Newscast

Two people are arrested in connection with an October house fire in Shreveport that killed two girls. One of them is the girls’ grandmother, 50-year-old Rita Montgomery. The other suspect is 45-year-old Alonza Cooksey. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese Jr. says these arrests are the result of a long, careful and evidence-driven investigation.

Cut 14 (09) “…the right way.”

Blake Miguez ends his campaign for U.S. Senate and is now instead running for the now-open fifth district U.S. House seat. It comes after President Trump endorsed Julia Letlow, prompting her to enter the Senate race. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it underscores how weird of an election cycle this has been. 

Cut 7 (10) “…doing what tomorrow.”

By the end of the week, 17 ponds across the state will be stocked with Rainbow Trout. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

One person is hurt after a natural gas pipeline explodes in Cameron Parish. It happened near Johnson Bayou and Holly Beach this morning. The person injured is an operator at the Delfin LNG pipeline; the Cameron Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness says his injuries are minor. No word on the cause of the explosion.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Depth is one of the major strengths of this year’s LSU baseball team. Fifth-year senior infielder Tanner Reaves says the Tigers’ depth will benefit them in multiple ways this season.

Cut 16 (16) “…play really good.”

LSU sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel was named as a 2026 First-Team Preseason All-American by Baseball America magazine. As a freshman last season, Curiel batted a team-high .345 with 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 55 RBI’s, and 67 runs.

In D1Baseball.com’s list of top-50 college second basemen in the country, LSU senior infielder Brayden Simpson landed at No. 5. In three seasons at High Point, Simpson batted .323 with 46 doubles, two triples, 37 home runs, 136 RBI’s, 143 runs and 29 stolen bases.

Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien will remain in New Orleans, despite interviewing for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position earlier this week, according to Jordan Schultz. Tolzien will continue to play a pivotal role in developing quarterback Tyler Shough.

Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett interviewed for the passing game coordinator position with the Steelers, but will also remain in New Orleans.

Last night, the McNeese State men’s basketball team fell to Stephen F. Austin 67-60 as the Lumberjacks extended their lead in the Southland to two games.

Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 61-58 in Natchitoches last night to improve to 10- 13 overall and 9-5 in conference play. After losing five consecutive games in January, the Colonels have now won two straight.

UNO extended its win streak to three games last night after defeating East Texas A&M 94-85. With the win, the Privateers are now 10-13 on the season and 8-5 in Southland play.

UL-Lafayette men’s basketball is back in action tomorrow as the Cajuns are at James Madison at 6 p.m.