6:30 LRN Newscast

Four people were shot in the French Quarter last night and one person has been arrested. New Orleans Police say the shooting happened at the intersection of Iberville and Decatur Streets shortly after the conclusion of French Quarter Fest.

Authorities in Tangipahoa Parish are looking for the person or persons responsible for shooting two people at the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival on Saturday night The victims are 19 and 20-years-old and expected to make a full recovery.

Houston authorities say former LSU football star Kyren Lacy died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a police chase. Lacy was 24 years old. Police were looking for Lacy after he shot a gun into the ground during a verbal argument with a female relative.

The Saints begin their offseason conditioning program today and we should get more information about quarterback Derek Carr possibly missing the season, because of a shoulder injury. Former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert on what the Saints should do now…

Cut 15 (09) “…number nine pick”

 

A two-month-long legislative session starts today. Colleen Crain looks at the big issues…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Covington Senator Patrick McMath is championing the MAHA agenda.  McMath says given the state’s persistent health challenges, there needs to be more of an effort to prioritize health.

Cut 10 (09) “…the world.”

LRN AM Newscall April 14

Today is the start of the legislative session, and auto insurance reform will be the dominant issue. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A two-month-long legislative session starts today. Colleen Crain looks at the big issues that lawmakers will tackle…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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Covington Senator Patrick McMath is leading the Make America Healthy Agenda in this session. Sean Richardson reports he has a comprehensive bill that would ban ultra-processed foods in school lunches and prohibit SNAP recipients from using their assistance to buy sodas.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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There are numerous bills filed for the legislative session that aim to lower auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is supporting a package of legal reform bills including a bill to cap damage awards in a lawsuit. But Ben Riggs, executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, says tort reform hasn’t worked in the past…

Cut 4 (11) “…was skyrocketing rates.”

Riggs says the only thing Temple’s approach would accomplish is to regulate the policyholders and not the insurance companies.

Cut 5 (10) “…pay our claim.”

While auto insurance reform will be the biggest issue facing lawmakers in this session, it will be far from the only one. Riggs says two other bills stand out to him that he and his organization are getting behind.

Cut 6 (15) “…in our state.”

The guaranteed rate reduction for a fortified roof in Senator Royce Duplessis’ bill would be 20-percent.

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The 2025 legislative session begins today, and insurance reform will be a big topic for the next two months. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat conducted a poll two weeks ago and found that 76 percent of the respondents have experienced a premium increase of ten percent or more in the past year

Cut 7 (07) “…for insurance.”

Lawmakers will also have to approve a budget and Pinsonat says money will be tight, especially with a reduction in federal dollars

Cut 8 (11) “…these dollars.”

Pinsonat says MAHA legislation will also be prominent in this session. U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy is leading the Make America Healthy Again movement as he would like to see fluoride removed from the drinking water and synthetic food dyes in school lunches banned. Pinsonat says this is a Trump state so the legislature likes to mimic what you’re seeing in Washington…

Cut 9 (10)  “…by the legislature.”

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In the 2025 Louisiana legislative session, Covington Senator Patrick McMath is championing the Make America Healthy Again agenda.  McMath says given the state’s persistent health challenges, there needs to be more of an effort to prioritize health.

Cut 10 (09) “…the world.”

McMath has a comprehensive bill that attempts to ban ultra-processed foods in schools and requiring restaurants to inform customers of unhealthy seed oils in the foods they serve…

Cut 11 (09) “…first developed.”

McMath on what will define ultra-processed foods…

Cut 12 (12) “…found to be harmful.”

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Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s 2025 season may end before it begins. Ian Rappoport with NFL Network is reporting Carr has a shoulder injury and could miss the entire season. Carr failed to lead the Saints to the playoffs the last two years and Ross Jackson, host of the Locked on Saints podcast, says Carr’s injury allows New Orleans to rebuild…

Cut 13 (14)  “…few years.”

Ross Jackson says the new coaching staff is high on Spencer Rattler, despite his inability to lead the Saints to a victory in six starts during his rookie season…

Cut 14 (14) “…with him.”

Carr’s injury raises speculation the Saints with select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth overall pick, but WWL’s Bobby Hebert says he’s not sure he’d go that route.

Cut 15 (09) “…number nine pick.”

The Saints begin offseason workouts today.

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The Pelicans’ 2024-25 season has mercifully come to an end. The Pelicans lost yesterday at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-100, to finish the season with a record of 21-and-61. It’s a deep nosedive for the team that went into the season looking to build on a 49-and-33 campaign and a playoff berth the previous year. Head Coach Willie Green said after the game that he kept a positive attitude throughout the season.

Cut 16 (14) “…we can improve.”

Injuries doomed the Pelicans right out of the starting gate. The team lost a staggering 369 man games to injury. 25 different players suited up for the team this season, and Green started 46 different starting lineups. Green says this was a season unlike any that he had been a part of, both as a player and as a coach.

Cut 17 (13) “…faced all year.”

With the season over, there’s widespread speculation over Green’s job status in light of the 28-win drop from a season earlier. Point guard Jose Alvarado said it would be grossly unfair to pin the Pelicans’ troubles this season on Green.

Cut 18 (18) “…in yourself too.”

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LSU football had an open practice in Tiger Stadium on Saturday and the offense had trouble moving the football. The strength of LSU’s defense appears to be its defensive ends, as Jimari Butler, Gabriel Reliford and Jack Pyburn all made plays. Butler and Pyburn are transfers and Coach Brian Kelly says they’ve been good additions…

Cut 19 (17) “..since January.” 

Starting running back Caden Durham did not play in the open practice, because of a sprained ankle. Freshman Harlem Berry had a nice day, including a 22-yard run. Kelly says the five-star prospect has a long way to go, but he’s electric with the ball in his hands…

Cut 20 (16) “…running back.”

11:30 AM Newscast

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth…

Cut 9 (11)  “…prime cruise desination”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry, which generates an estimated 12-million dollars to the economy. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby Abita Springs, says if you love strawberries and music this is the festival for you…

Cut 12 (12) “…incredible.”

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As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says in 2023, the region welcomed over seven million visitors, generating $800 million in spending.

Cut 6 (06) “…to our local economy.”

10:30 AM Newscast

 

__10:30 __11:30 short

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. Landry has said he wants to rein in the ability of trial lawyers to advertise. Temple says, good luck with that, saying Florida tried that and it was overturned by the courts.

Cut 4 (08) “…of that conversation.”

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth says Curth says Port NOLA benefits from its prime location near the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (07) “…one of a kind.”

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Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. The campaign includes billboards and digital displays illustrating visitors’ engagement in the community, from dining to experiencing hospitality.   Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush stresses that tourism is more than numbers…

Cut 8 (12) “…really important.”

Derek Carr’s 2025 season may be over before it even begins. Ian Rappoport with NFL Network is reporting that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and one of his options is surgery that would keep him sidelined for the entire season. Former Saints Quarterback Bobby Hebert this says Carr’s injury could open the door for Spencer Rattler, who’s still looking for his first win in the NFL.

Cut 14 (05) “…be the guy.”

9:30 AM Newscast

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with 165-thousand cruise passenger movements. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Derek Carr’s 2025 season may be over before it even begins. The NFL Network is reporting that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and could need surgery. Former Saints Quarterback Bobby Hebert on LRN affiliate WWL says the Saints, and they need to bring in an experienced quarterback.

Cut 13 (09)  “…somebody like that.”

_________________

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. When he announced the 20 insurance reform bills he’s supporting, Temple noted that he has not had a conversation with Landry about the issue in a long time.

Cut 3 (11) “…for property reform.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Tourists come for leisure, events, business, and sports, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush Bush…

Cut 7 (10) “…southwest Louisiana.”

8:30 AM Newscast

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says in 2023, the region welcomed over seven million visitors, generating $800 million in spending.

Cut 6 (06) “…to our local economy.”

————————–

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record and surpassing its previous high of 155-thousand in March 2023. Port NOLA Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth…

Cut 9 (11)  “…prime cruise desination”

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry, which generates an estimated 12-million dollars to the economy. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby Abita Springs, says if you love strawberries and music this is the festival for you…

Cut 12 (12) “…incredible.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

This just in – Saints quarterback Derek Carr’s 2025 season may be over before it begins. Ian Rappoport with NFL Network is reporting that Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Carr is weighing surgery that could sideline him for the entire season. The news comes just three days before the Saints begin their offseason conditioning program.

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with 165-thousand cruise passenger movements. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The gloves are off between Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple over exactly how to rein in out-of-control auto insurance premiums. In announcing his own insurance reform plan earlier this week, Landry said he wanted to limit the ability of trial lawyers to advertise. Temple says, good luck with that. He says Florida passed a regulation limiting attorney advertising, and that was overturned by the courts.

Cut 4 (08) “…of that conversation.”

Visit Lake Charles launches the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Chief Marketing Officer Timothy Bush says the region welcomed over seven million visitors in 2023, but tourism is more than just numbers.

Cut 8 (12) “…really important.”

4:30 PM Newscast

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are fighting one another. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The State Fire Marshal’s office says the man they pulled from a fire at a Minden Business last month set that fire targeting his ex-girlfriend’s business.  State Fire Marshal Deputies say Jordan Tomlinson allegedly intentionally set fire to Pro-Tint after a domestic dispute. Tomlinson was arrested and charged with aggravated arson, simple arson, and simple burglary. He faces further charges of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment after a joint investigation with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian have strong partnerships with the Port of New Orleans and offer year-round sailings. River cruises also thrive, including American Cruise Lines and Viking. Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth emphasized that the increased number of port calls highlights New Orleans’ appeal.

Cut 11 (12) “…Big Easy hospitality.”

Last month, the Port of New Orleans set a new monthly record with over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements.

Crawfish prices are dropping as Easter approaches. According to The Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King live crawfish average $3.14 per pound, and boiled crawfish about $5.55. Some live crawfish sacks are now under $3 per pound.

Cut 14 (12) “…anticipation of Easter.”

3:30 PM News

When it comes to the high price of auto insurance, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are pointing their fingers – not at the insurance companies or trial lawyers, but at one another. When he announced the 20 insurance reform bills he’s supporting, Temple noted that he has not had a conversation with Landry about the issue in a long time.

Cut 3 (11) “…for property reform.”

Governor Landry names a new Secretary of the Department of Health. Soon to be secretary, Bruce Greenstein is not new to the position having served as former Governor Bobby Jindal’s LDH Secretary from 2010 until in 2013 Jindal learned Greenstein was under federal investigation for his role in the award of a multimillion-dollar Medicaid contract. Though he was never charged. There are many in office who laud this appointment saying there is no one better for the position because of Greenstein’s experience.

Last month, the Port of New Orleans recorded over 165-thousand cruise passenger movements, setting a new monthly record Port Pres Secretary Kimberly Curth says as the 6th largest U.S. cruise port and the only one offering both ocean and river cruises, the Port benefits from its prime location near the French Quarter.

Cut 10 (07) “…one of a kind.”

Major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian continue strong partnerships, offering year-round sailings.

And Visit Lake Charles has launched the “Always Here” campaign to highlight tourism’s vital role in Southwest Louisiana’s economy. Visit Lake Charles CMO Timothy Bush says tourists come for leisure, events, business, and sports, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Cut 7 (10) “…southwest Louisiana.”

2:30 PM Newscast

As the legislature gets set to fight for auto insurance reform, Governor Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple are at odds. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Long time employees of the International Paper Mill in Campti say goodbye as the doors of the mill close today. Many have reported for duty there for decades. International has been a constant in the lives of many of the people in the small North Natchitoches Parish town.

It Festival season and the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is this weekend. Since 1972, Tangipahoa Parish has hosted this festival to celebrate the strawberry industry. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who’s from nearby St Tammany Parish, says the Strawberry Festival is the largest free harvest festival in the state…

Cut 13 (09)  “…and jellies.”

The three-day festival attracts an estimated 300-thousand visitors every year.

As we near Easter weekend, crawfish prices are $1.50 cheaper than they were last Easter says Crawfish App Co-founder Laney King. And she says this year the weather is going to be perfect, and the crawfish supply will be plentiful.

Cut 15 (08) “…sooner than later”