2:30 PM Newscast

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams is facing 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office. He confessed to turning off the water in a cell enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Williams says one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water. Attorney General Liz Murrill says the investigation into the escape of the 10 inmates continues and she urges anyone involved to turn themselves in.

Cut 5 (11) “…came forward voluntarily.”

Four out of the ten inmates have been captured.

The economy is the top concern of Louisianans according to the 2025 Louisiana Survey polled Survey director, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU, says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority. Henderson says homeowners’ insurance with its rising premiums is showing up as a challenging issue.

Cut 15 (09) “…just a year ago.”

 

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill some calling it an anti-Black bill. When Chenevert returned to the podium, she delivered a heartfelt plea to support her bill saying her bill does not codify discrimination.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is it doesn’t.”

The bill now moves to the Senate. Governor Landry is in support of the bill.

 

The House Transportation Committee approves a Senate bill that would outlaw speed cameras that issue tickets. The bill makes an exception to allow them in school zones. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says these cameras are unconstitutional and the citizens of Louisiana agree….

Cut 10 (10) “…go away”

The bill only addresses speed cameras and ignores red light cameras. Several local police departments oppose the legislation and say the cameras help with highway safety.

1:30 LRN Newscast

The House has advanced a bill, nearly along party lines, that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. Three Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The vote came after two hours of impassioned debate. More than a dozen Black Democrats took to the house floor to denounce Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s bill. Edmond Jordan called Chenevert’s bill an anti-Black bill.

Cut 7 (13) “…the Japanese internment?”

A pair of Republicans offered a rebuttal to the Black Democrats’ arguments. Gray Republican Beryl Amedee took exception with the concept of equity.

Cut 8 (09) “…for is equality.”

The bill now moves to the Senate.

The manhunt continues for six of the ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail last Friday – and now we’re getting word that a maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding in the escape. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Tragedy in Sabine Parish as a six-year-old special needs girl drowns in Toledo Bend Lake. The sheriff’s office says the girl was left unattended inside her house and walked a very short distance to the lake. The girl’s mother, 27-year-old Bethany Stocking, is charged with felony cruelty to juveniles for allegedly leaving her daughter unattended.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish jail has been arrested for his role in last Friday’s jail break that resulted in ten inmates escaping, six of them are still on the run. Attorney General Liz Murrill says 33-year-old Sterling Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing other employees.

Cut 4 (12) “…assigned to it.”

According to an arrest affidavit, Williams said one of the inmates threatened to stab him with a makeshift knife if he didn’t turn off the water.

The House has advanced a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in state offices and public colleges. State Representative Candace Newell of New Orleans, who called it the most racially offensive piece of legislation she’s ever had to debate.

Cut 6 (08) “…or white guilt.”

Chenvert says her legislation is not intended to divide the state.

Shreveport officials and several local police departments oppose a bill that would result in malfeasance in office charges against an elected official that allows speed cameras to operate outside of school zones. Shreveport’s Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark says the traffic issuing cameras have reduced the number of motorists who speed through a school zone…..

Cut 13 (10) “….paying attention”

Shreveport is looking at installing speed cameras in areas outside of the city that are not in the speed zone. But the bill, which has Senate approval and has now received approval from the House Transportation Committee.

The 2025 Louisiana Survey polled one thousand Louisiana adults and it shows that once again, the economy is the top concern.  The director of the Louisiana Survey, Doctor Michael Henderson of LSU says that’s a shift from a year ago, when crime was the top priority.

Cut 14 (11) “…back on top.”

Henderson says homeowners’ insurance is a challenging issue for current and potential homeowners with rising premiums.

11:30 LRN Newscast

A 33-year-old Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested for aiding the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, as announced by the Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Cut 3 (07) “…period of time.”

Williams confessed to turning off the water in a cell as instructed by an inmate, enabling the group to escape through a hole behind a toilet. Murrill says he was identified after reviewing footage and interviewing employees who had directly interacted with inmates.

 

Former President Joe Biden’s office says the 82-year-old is reviewing treatment options after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Doctor Kevin Hebert says according to the statement the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management…

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostate cancer”

 

An effort to get local governments from using speed cameras that issue traffic tickets outside of school zones has been approved by the House Transportation Committee. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey’s bill, which has already passed Senate, would result in local officials being charged with malfeasance if speed cameras were used outside of school zones.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux testified against the bill. Arceneaux says speed cameras in school zones have helped to reduce speeding in front of schools and the city plans to use speed cameras outside of school zones…

Cut 12 (13) “…local level.”

Local police departments say cameras that issue speeding tickets can improve highway safety, but Cathey argues manpower improves public safety…

Cut 11 (09) “…pulling you over.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced the arrest of a jail employee in connection with the inmate escape at the Orleans Justice Center. The A-G’s office says 33-year-old Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the sheriff’s office, turned the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped. A-G Liz Murrill says Instead of reporting the inmate, Williams turned the water off as directed, allowing the inmates to carry out their scheme to successfully escape.

The 2025 Louisiana Survey, which is conducted by LSU, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats say the state income and sales taxes are too high. Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered at the start of the year, while the state sales tax rose to five percent. Louisiana Survey Director Michael Henderson….

Cut 8 (08) “…. much about it”

The survey shows that while citizens want lower taxes, they would like to see more money spent on roads and they support funding for educational expenses for families and higher pay for school teachers.

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has named Carrie Castille as the tenth president of the University of Louisiana Monroe. She is the first female president in the university’s nearly 94-year history. Castille says she will work hard to provide the best education experience and opportunity for ULM students…

Cut 15 (14) “….and it’s paramount”

It’s been announced Former President Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer and it has spread to his bones. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology, Doctor Kevin Hebert says the 82-year-old’s doctors say the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, but it’s not curable once it spreads to the bones…

Cut 5 (11) “…is life significantly”

9:30 LRN Newscast

There are now six escapees from the Orleans Jail that remain on the run, after authorities caught a fourth escapee last night. State Police arrested 21-year-old Gary Price in New Orleans east last night and he was flown to a state prison. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams…

Cut 12 (11) “…grace of god”

There are reports that a maintenance worker with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has been arrested in connection with the escape of the ten inmates.

A survey out of LSU, called the 2025 Louisiana Survey, finds an increase in residents who believe the state is headed in the right direction. It’s now 50-50 on the percentage, two years ago, two-thirds of the residents said the state was headed in the wrong direction. Survey director Michael Henderson says the survey also revealed that Louisiana citizens believe they are taxed too much…

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax”

The state sales tax went up to five percent on January 1st because of a tax reform package approved by the legislature last year.

LSU will conduct a nationwide search to replace William Tate as he’s leaving as LSU’s president to take on the same role at Rutgers University in New Jersey. LSU’s Vice President for Agriculture Matt Lee will serve as interim president. Tate has been at LSU since 2021 and during his tenure the school set enrollment records and increased research spending.

ULM has a new president. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

8:30 LRN Newscast

Authorities have recaptured a fourth inmate that escaped from the Orleans jail. Twenty-one-year-old Gary Price was taken into custody last night. He was in jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder. Price is now being held in a state prison and the manhunt for the six other escapees continues.

Former President Joe Biden is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sean Richardson spoke with a local expert on the disease.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

A survey out of LSU, called the Louisiana Survey, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats agree the state income and sales taxes are too high, but respondents want to see more spending in specific areas…

Cut 9 (10) “…teacher pay raises”

That’s Doctor Michael Henderson, head of the Louisiana Survey.

LSU’s Agriculture Vice President, Doctor Matt Lee, is taking over as interim president of LSU as William Tate is leaving to take on the role of president at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Meanwhile, ULM has named Doctor Carrie Castille has its new president…

Cut 13 (08) “…for the university”

Castille is the school’s first female president. She is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition.

7:30 LRN Newscast

State Police have apprehended a fourth escapee from the Orleans Parish jail break. Authorities arrested 21-year-old Gary Price in New Orleans east. Six fugitives remain on the run.

LSU President William Tate has resigned to be the next president at Rutgers University. LSU’s Vice President for Agriculture Matt Lee will serve as interim president while a nationwide search takes place to find Tate’s replacement.

A survey out of LSU, called the 2025 Louisiana Survey, finds an increase in residents who believe the state is headed in the right direction. It’s now 50-50 on the percentage of residents who say the state is headed in the right direction. Survey director Michael Henderson says with that being said, respondents to the survey believe they are taxed too much…

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax”

The state sales tax increased to five-percent on January 1st as a result of a tax reform package approved by the legislature last year.

The Saints are not looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as the team begins OTAs…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Former President Joe Biden’s office says the 82-year-old is reviewing treatment options after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Doctor Kevin Hebert says according to the statement the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management…

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostate cancer”

6:30 LRN Newscast

A fourth escapee from Friday’s jail break at the Orleans Parish jail has been captured. State Police say 21-year-old Gary Price was taken into custody in New Orleans east last night and Price will now be transferred to a secure facility outside of New Orleans. A lot of attention is on the protocols at the New Orleans jail. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams…

Cut 10 (12) “…on higher floors”

The 2025 Louisiana Survey, which is conducted by LSU, finds that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats say the state income and sales taxes are too high. Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered at the start of the year, while the state sales tax rose to five percent. Louisiana Survey Director Michael Henderson….

Cut 8 (08) “…. much about it”

The survey shows that while citizens want lower taxes, they would like to see more money spent on roads and they support funding for educational expenses for families and higher pay for school teachers.

 

Carrie Castille has been named the new president at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Castille is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. She also has ten years’ experience in higher education, most recently as senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Castille says one of the first things she will do once she takes over as university president is to go on a listening tour.

Cut 14 (11) “…those opportunities are.”

Doctor Castille will assume the presidency following U-L System Board approval of her appointment and contract.

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Dr. Kevin Hebert…

Cut 4 (09) “…see and treat”

It’s unknown if the former president, who is 82 years old, has been screened for prostate cancer in recent years.  Most doctors do not screen men in their late 70s or 80s.

LRN AM Newscall May 20

Former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Sean Richardson spoke with a local expert on the disease.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

____________________________________________

ULM has its new president. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

The Saints are not looking to bring in a veteran quarterback as the team begins organized team activities today. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Urology Dr. Kevin Hebert says the cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9, has metastasized to his bones, indicating a high-risk, advanced stage.

Cut 4 (09) “…see and treat.”

The diagnosis followed increasing urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule last week. While the cancer is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management, Hebert notes it is not curable once spread to the bones.

Cut 5 (11) “…is life significantly.”

The 82-year-old Biden is reviewing treatment options, which may include hormone therapy or radiation.  Hebert says its possible that Biden won’t die from prostate cancer despite it being a metastatic disease at this point.

Cut 6 (07) “…from prostrate cancer.”

______________________________________________________

Nearly everyone in Louisiana agrees on the notion that income taxes and sales taxes in the state are too high. Dr. Michael Henderson, the survey director of LSU’s annual Louisiana Survey, says the percentage of residents who feel that way is going up.

Cut 7 (12) “…the sales tax.”

Dr. Henderson says what’s interesting in this finding is the fact that even though sales taxes ticked up at the outset of this year, state income taxes actually fell for all Louisianans, thanks to the tax reform package that the legislature passed in the special session last fall.

Cut 8 (09) “…much about it.”

But what about the essential services that those tax dollars fund? Dr. Henderson says there are certain things that people would be willing to pay higher taxes for.

Cut 9 (10)  “…teacher pay raises.”

More than one-thousand Louisiana residents were surveyed for this study.

______________________________________________________

Four days after a mass jailbreak from Orleans Parish Jail, multiple escaped inmates remain at large, prompting a widespread manhunt involving the FBI, Louisiana State Police, and U.S. Marshals. The escape occurred early Friday when inmates exploited defective cell locks and a breached wall, exiting via a supply dock and scaling a perimeter wall. Orleans Parish DA Jason Williams condemned the jail’s conditions.

Cut 10 (12) “…on higher floors.”

Governor Jeff Landry criticized the DA’s office, questioning why additional charges have yet to be filed.  Williams says its simply because the sheriff’s office never submitted evidence.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t go forward.”

Williams says taking politics out of the equation, there are multiple failures that need to be addresses from the lapse in monitoring during a lunch break to not alerting victims and witnesses of the escape. Williams says it’s a miracle no one’s hurt by these inmates.

Cut 12 (11) “…grace of God.”

The FBI is offering a reward of ten-thousand dollars per fugitive, with additional rewards from ATF and Crime Stoppers.

______________________________________________________

ULM has its new president. The school has hired Dr. Carrie Castille as its 10th president in school history. Dr. Castille begins her new role on July 1st, taking over for interim president Dr. Nick Bruno, the retired president who’s serving in an interim role following the resignation of Ron Berry, who went back to teaching. Castille is excited for the opportunity.

Cut 13 (09)  “…for the university.”

Castille is an agriculture and natural resources consultant, most recently supporting the USDA during the presidential transition. She also has ten years experience in higher education, most recently as senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Castille says one of the first things she will do once she takes over as university president is to go on a listening tour.

Cut 14 (12) “…those opportunities are.”

Castille says her number-one priority is the students.

Cut 15 (14) “…and it’s paramount.”

_____________________________________________

The battle to be the Saints starting quarterback in 2025 begins today as the Black and Gold will be on the practice field for OTAs. New Orleans will try to win with a young quarterback as Jake Haener is the only Q-B on the roster that has been in the NFL for two years. First year Saints head coach Kellen Moore says he was in Dallas when Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to 13 wins and an NFC East title.

Cut 16 (16) “…ready to roll.”

Haener is entering his third season, Spencer Ratter his second and Tyler Shough and Hunter Dekkers are both rookies. Moore is eager to see these guys perform during OTAS, even if it’s just seven on seven practice sessions.

Cut 17 (09)  “…about.”

Since Shough was drafted by this coaching staff, he’s considered the front-runner to win the starting job. Rattler says he will not put too much pressure on himself to win the job and is looking forward to operating in Moore’s offense.

Cut 18 (12)  “…in it now.”

The Saints unsettled quarterback position is one of the reasons why New Orleans will not have any of its games during primetime. General Manager Mickey Loomis thought they would get at least one game in primetime, but he understands why all of their games will be on Sunday afternoon.

Cut 19 (12) “…those opportunities.”