1:30 LRN Newscast

The Shreveport community issues an emotional plea for information after two girls die from injuries suffered in a house fire last week. Firefighters pulled nine-year-old Aaliyah Robinson and five-year-old Danielle Spearman from the burning home; they were hospitalized in critical condition until family members made the difficult decision to take them off life support. Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese says while the fire is being investigated as arson, investigators are still looking for specific details.

Cut 13 (08)  “…some concrete information.”

A 17-year-old hunter from Monroe is killed by a lightning strike in Union Parish over the weekend. Colton Honeycutt was inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area when a storm came through Saturday. Sheriff Dusty Gates says the area was hard for first responders to get to.

Cut 5 (04) “…get to him.”

Honeycutt was hunting by himself; the only way the sheriff’s office found out was from family members who went searching for him when he didn’t return home.

After Saturday’s loss to Vanderbilt all but ended LSU’s national championship hopes, Tigers fans seem to have had it with Coach Brian Kelly. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

While LSU’s football team is struggling through a subpar season, its national championship baseball team is being honored at the White House this afternoon. The Tigers will be joined by the Pilots of LSU-Shreveport, who became the first college baseball team at any level to go through an entire season undefeated.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams will be at the White House this afternoon. LSU won the College World Series, while LSU-Shreveport wrapped up an undefeated season with an NAIA World Series title. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson says being celebrated at the White House is something he had always dreamed about.

Cut 28 (11) “…it’s pretty awesome.”

The ceremony gets underway at 3 PM.

Meanwhile, frustration among the LSU fan base with football coach Brian Kelly is at an all-time high after the Tigers 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says Kelly is as surprised as anyone the team has suffered two losses on the road this season…

Cut 8 (13) “…they’re horrible”

LSU hosts third ranked Texas A-and-M this Saturday.

A teen hunter from Monroe is killed over the weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

Tragedy in North Louisiana as a 17-year-old hunter from Monroe is killed by a lightning strike in Union Parish over the weekend. Investigators say Colton Honeycutt was inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area Saturday when a storm came through, and a bolt of lightning hit him. Sheriff Dusty Gates says Honeycutt was hunting by himself, so the only way that the sheriff’s department was notified about what happened was by family members who went out to look for him.

Cut 4 (08) “…found him deceased.”

According to third quarter filings, Senator Bill Cassidy has 9.5 million dollars in campaign funds as he gears up for his re-election bid. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy continues to do well in getting donors to support his campaign.

Cut 7 (09) “…five or six million”

A special session begins on Thursday at the state capitol, as lawmakers look at delaying the party primaries for the federal elections. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

President Trump is honoring Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams this afternoon – LSU and LSU-Shreveport. LSU-S Athletic Director Lucas Morgan says this is something that the Pilots have been looking forward to ever since wrapping up their perfect season.

Cut 12 (04) “…probably remember forever.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

A 17-year-old hunter from Monroe is killed by a lightning strike in Union Parish over the weekend. Sheriff Dusty Gates says Colton Honeycutt was inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area when a storm came through Saturday.

Cut 3 (07) “…causing his death.”

Honeycutt’s body was found by family members, who went out to look for him when he failed to return home.

The legislature begins a special session Thursday. The only item on the agenda is adjusting the qualifying period and the primary dates for the 2026 federal elections, as the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the creation of the state’s second Black congressional district. Advocate political reporter Tyler Bridges talked about it on Talk Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06) “…a month.”

Bridges also expects legislation to be filed that would switch next year’s federal elections back to an open primary, pushing qualifying to the summer time.

President Trump is honoring Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams at the White House today – the undefeated LSU-Shreveport Pilots and the LSU Tigers. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says being celebrated at the White House is something he had always dreamed about as a kid.

Cut 10 (11) “…it’s pretty awesome.”

While LSU’s baseball team continues to bask in championship glory, the football team’s title hopes were all but dashed Saturday with a 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt. The Tigers were missing two defensive starters, Bernard Gooden and Whit Weeks. During the game, starting left tackle Tyree Adams went down with a left ankle injury. Kelly says injuries are not an excuse for the team’s performance…

Cut 18 (13) “…well today.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

The latest campaign finance reports involving the candidates for the 2026 Senate show Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy with a large lead over his main challengers. Jeanne Burns has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

We’re expected to learn more this afternoon about a house fire in Shreveport that killed two children last week. Investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set and are looking for those who did it. Firefighters pulled an eight-year-old and a five-year-old from the house; but after a week-long battle, they did not survive.

Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams will be at the White House today. LSU-Shreveport wrapped up an undefeated season with an NAIA World Series title, while LSU won the College World Series in Omaha for the eighth time. LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson says most of the team was able to make the trip.

Cut 11 (06) “…which is unfortunate.”

While LSU baseball continues to bask in championship glory, the football team’s chances of a title pretty much went up in smoke this weekend, thanks to a 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt. LSU had no answers for Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia (PAH-vee-ah), who threw for 160 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Brian Kelly says the goal was to prevent Pavia from beating them with his legs.

Cut 16 (13) “…good quarterback.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

State lawmakers will return to the state capitol on Thursday for a special session that will discuss delaying next year’s party primaries for the federal elections, because it’s possible the Supreme Court will rule the state’s current Congressional map is not constitutional. In an interview on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana, Advocate Reporter Tyler Bridges says it’s unknown when the Supreme Court will rule on the state’s Congressional map and the possibility of going with an open primary election next year is on the table…

Cut 6 (08) “…open primary system”

Senator Bill Cassidy has reported nine-point-five million dollars in his campaign warchest for his re-election bid next year. Cassidy has drawn several well-known challengers because he voted in 2021 to impeach Donald Trump. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that vote has not Cassidy’s fundraising efforts…

Cut 9 (11)  “…next year.”

 

Louisiana’s two national championship baseball teams visit the White House today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many Louisiana football fans are down on their teams today. Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler turned it over four times in a 26-14 loss to the Chicago Bears. LSU fans are calling for Brian Kelly to be fired after losing to Vanderbilt for the first time in 35 years. UL-Lafayette and ULM also suffered losses at home.

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Legislature returns to Baton Rouge on Thursday for a special session that could result in the pushing back of the qualifying period and the primary election dates for the 2026 federal elections. Advocate political reporter Tyler Bridge said on Talk Louisiana on WRKF that the U-S Supreme Court could rule the state’s current Congressional map is unconstitutional, but when that ruling will come down is unknown…

Cut 4 (11) “…coming up with.”

Qualifying for the federal elections are in January and they could be pushed back at least a month.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has reported nine-point-five million dollars in cash on hand for his re-election bid. Two of his main challengers, Blake Miguez and John Fleming each have two million dollars on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says having such a lead when it comes to campaign donations does not guarantee victory, but it’s a significant factor…

Cut 8 (08) “…for Cassidy.”

It was not a good weekend for most Louisiana football fans. It started with the Tigers losing to Vanderbilt for the first time in 35 years as the Commodores beat LSU 31-24 in Nashville. LSU had no answers for Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia. Coach Brian Kelly says the goal was to prevent Pavia from beating them with his legs…

Cut 16 (13) “…good quarterback.”

And then yesterday…the Saints lost to the Chicago Bears for the first time since 2008. It’s the fourth straight win for the Bears, who have been feasting on takeaways and they forced four more turnovers yesterday. Head Coach Kellen Moore…

Cut 14 (12) “…get it done today.”

The Saints are 1-6, their worst start since starting 1-7 in 1999.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has 9.5 million dollars in campaign funds as he gears up for his re-election bid. Two of Cassidy’s opponents, state Senator Blake Miguez and Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming report having two million dollars on hand. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy continues to do well in getting donors to support his campaign…

Cut 7 (09) “…five or six million”

Cassidy’s other two challengers in the Republican party primary, P-S-C member Eric Skrmetta and St. Tammany Parish councilwoman Kathy Seiden have yet to report their donations for the third quarter.

The LSU Tigers and the LSU-Shreveport Pilots will be recognized for their national championships in baseball earlier this year with a ceremony this afternoon at the White House. LSU-S went a perfect 59-0. Athletics director Lucas Morgan…

Cut 13 (05) “…the White House”

The White House ceremony is at 3 PM central time.

A special session begins on Thursday at the state capitol, as lawmakers look at delaying next year’s party primaries for the federal elections. Andre Champagne has the story.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A sad story out of north Louisiana as a 17-year-old from Monroe was killed when he was struck by lightning while hunting in Union Parish on Saturday. First responders found Colton Gauge Honeycutt inside an elevated deer stand in a remote wooded area.

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

A man living in the Lafayette area is now facing federal charges after being accused of assisting in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Federal prosecutors allege Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi provided, attempted to provide, or conspired to provide material support to the National Resistance Brigades, which is considered a foreign terrorist organization. al-Muhtadi is accused of travelling to the United States on a fraudulent visa.

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish. Sheriff Leland Falcon was shot by a suspect in another shooting. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says Sheriff Falcon was close to the scene when the call for assistance came down, so he responded.

Cut 6 (08) “…the left torso.”

Falcon was grazed by the suspect’s bullet, was briefly hospitalized and is doing fine. A deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect, who was taken to the hospital.

——————————
A northeast Louisiana assistant police chief finds himself on the other side of the law. State Police arrested Rayville Assistant Police Chief Czyz (“chizh”) Williams for theft and malfeasance in office. Trooper Ryan Davis says Williams was selling department property and pocketing the money.

Cut 12 (08) “…for personal gain.”

With its famous namesake on hand, Southeastern Louisiana University officially opens its new Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. President Dr. William Wainwright says it includes a newsroom, a film studio and a multimedia studio, giving students experience in all facets of broadcasting.

Cut 3 (13) “…also digital media.”

10:30 AM LRN Newscast

An assistant police chief in Richland Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after allegedly selling firearms that belonged to the police department. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

One person was injured in a shooting near White Castle High School last night. Officials with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office reported it happened on Bowi Street, which is not on school property and after the game between White Castle High and North Iberville High. We’re told the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.

—————————————-

A close call for the sheriff of Assumption Parish Leland Falcon, as he responded to a 911 call and was shot by a shooting suspect. Sheriff’s spokesman Lonny Cavalier says the suspect was shot by a deputy who returned fire. Cavalier says that suspect and the victim of the original shooting that led to the 911 call were taken to hospitals.

Cut 7 (14) “…with moderate injuries.”

As for the Sheriff, we’re told he was grazed by the bullet and is doing fine.

Hey, if scary is your thing, be sure to cast your vote for America’s Best Haunted Destination on The 64-dot-com.  Site founder Jason Woo the Myrtles in St. Francisville and the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans are both on the list. Voting is in the form of a six-round single-elimination tournament, until one emerges as the most haunted destination in the country.

Cut 11 (07) “…the next round.”

The first round of voting ends tonight at midnight.