11:30 LRN Newscast

August has been a very dry month throughout Louisiana. Whereas the state averages five inches of rainfall in August; this year, the state has averaged only seven-tenths of an inch. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says two things are at play – El Nino and a lot of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 4 (12) “…Gulf into Louisiana.”

Volunteers at Louisiana’s 988 Helpline get an increase in the volume of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says the fact that people normally get less sleep in hot conditions has a lot to do with it.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the crisis line.”

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that physical education classes will be designed to get students moving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

September 5th won’t be the only time a game featuring LSU will be the featured matchup on ESPN’s College Gameday. Two weeks later, Rece Davis and the crew will be in Oxford, Mississippi, for the highly-anticipated matchup between LSU and Ole Miss. It will be Lane Kiffin’s first game in Oxford since leaving Ole Miss for LSU.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Starting next school year, physical education classes in Louisiana public schools will put greater emphasis on getting students moving. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says these fitness-based standards equip students with knowledge and skills they will use the rest of their lives to remain active…

Cut 4 (10) “…and heart health.”

Brumley says the old standards asked students to name a skill, the revised standards ask them to demonstrate skills.

 

Hunters For the Hungry is encouraging those of you who hunt to clean out your freezers this Sunday to prepare for the upcoming season and feed those in need. Executive Director Julie Gunewald says simply visit clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com to find out where you can drop off your frozen food.

Cut 8 (07) “…to accept ’em.”

Nearly 18,5000 pounds of frozen goods were collected from Clean Out Your Freezer Day last year.

 

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has unveiled the design of Louisiana’s float that will roll in the 138th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. A musical entertainer rides on the float and performs and this year it’s award-winning jazz vocalist and songwriter Robin Barnes of New Orleans, who will perform her hit song “SongBird of New Orleans…

Cut 12 (10) “…coming to Louisiana”

The 2027 parade marks the sixth time since 2022 the Louisiana Office of Tourism will sponsor a float in the iconic event.

What a difference a couple months make in Louisiana. Whereas May and June were marked by torrential rains throughout the state, August is a completely different story. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this month has been almost completely devoid of rain throughout the state.

Cut 3 (09) “…way.way behind”

Keim says two things are contributing to this unusually dry August, El Nino and  a high-pressure system in the Gulf which is pumping hot air into Louisiana.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Office of Tourism unveils a new marketing campaign aimed at out-of-state tourists. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU national champion pitcher Kade Anderson earned his call-up to the Majors. The lefty hurler makes his major league debut for the Mariners against the Cubs at 6:15. Anderson is the top pitching prospect in baseball and has a 10-and-1 record with a 1.06 ERA and 135 strikeouts in Double-A this season.

Next year, Louisiana public schools will roll out revised physical education standards that emphasize learning and demonstrating fundamental moving skills, not just identifying them. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the skills will build on one another from kindergarten through 12th grade. He says they are designed not only to get students involved in physical activity.

Cut 6 (09) “…their social relationships.”

Brumley hopes classes will give students physical activity skills that will stay with the long into life and help prevent health issues like heart disease and diabetes.

The Louisiana 988 Helpline sees an uptick in the number of calls and texts during periods of intense heat. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit that operates the 988 Helpline, encourages people struggling with their mental health this summer to reach out. She says the people at the 988 Helpline are compassionate people who are there to help.

Cut 15 (07) “…carry anything alone.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Louisiana’s Department of Education has a new plan to get students moving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

This Sunday is “Clean Out your Freezer” Day.  Hunters for the Hungry Executive Director Jule Grunewald says they collected nearly 18,5000 pounds of frozen goods this time last year to feed those in need and they hope to surpass that this year.

Cut 9 (09)  “…many hot meals.”
For drop off locations visit, clean-out-your-freezer.com
——————-
Volunteers at Louisiana’s 988 Helpline get an increase in the volume of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions, like we’re seeing now. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says if the heat is affecting your mental health to the point that you’re considering harming yourself or others, you should reach out for help, regardless of the circumstances.

Cut 14 (09) “…very much is.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announced a new marketing campaign to attract more out of state tourists.  Nungesser says the goal of the campaign, dubbed, “Every Moment Feeds Your Soul,” is to highlight the unique things in Louisiana that you don’t get to do anywhere else.

Cut 11 (08) “…in the state.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

During extended heatwaves like what we’re in right now, Louisiana’s 988 Helpline experiences an uptick in calls and texts. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Hunters For the Hungry is encouraging those of you who hunt to clean out your freezers this Sunday to prepare for the upcoming season and feed those in need. Executive Director Julie Guenewald  says simply visit clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com to find out where you can drop off your frozen food.

Cut 8 (07) “…to accept ’em.”

————————

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveiled their marketing campaign for out-of-state tourism. Nungesser says the campaign, which was unveiled during the Louisiana Travel Summit in New Orleans, is called “Every Moment Feeds Your Soul.”

Cut 10 (11) “…world to Louisiana.”

Physical education classes in Louisiana public schools will put a greater emphasis on getting students moving beginning next school year. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the old standards asked students to identify or name a skill. The new standards require them to actually demonstrate those skills.

Cut 5 (14) “…to do it.”

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Louisiana Tourism officials are launching a new marketing campaign aimed at out-of-state tourists. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Starting next school year, physical education classes in Louisiana public schools will put a greater emphasis on getting students moving. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the program will help help students stay active long after graduation.

Cut 4 (10) “…and heart health.”

———————–

Louisiana’s 988 Helpline see an increase in the number of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions, like we’re seeing now. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says the fact that people normally get less sleep in hot conditions has a lot to do with it.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the crisis line.”

Sunday is Clean Out Your Freezer Day. Hunters For The Hungry is encouraging those of you who hunt to make room in your freezer for the upcoming hunting season by removing wild game and fish out of your freezer and donating it to a local food bank. Julie Grunewald is the executive director for Hunters for the Hungry.

Cut 7 (07) “…want to donate.”

For details on drop off locations, visit cleanoutyourfreezer.com

LRN AM Newscall August 21

The Louisiana Department of Education announces that physical education classes will be designed to get students moving. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Office of Tourism unveils a new marketing campaign aimed at out-of-state tourists. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

During extended heatwaves like what we’re in right now, Louisiana’s 988 Helpline experiences an uptick in calls and texts. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

___________________________________________________

Starting next school year, physical education classes in Louisiana public schools will put a greater emphasis on getting students moving. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says educators and stakeholders developed the revised standards which will focus on fundamental movement skills students can use to stay active long after graduation.

Cut 4 (10) “…and heart health.”

Brumley says the old standards asked students to identify or name a skill. The new standards require them to actually demonstrate those skills.

Cut 5 (14) “…to do it.”

Brumley says the skills will build on one another from kindergarten through 12th grade. He says the new standards are designed not only to get students involved in physical activity, but also to help them understand the benefits, including better health and social relationships.

Cut 6 (09) “…their social relationships.”

__________________________________________

Sunday is Clean Out Your Freezer Day. Hunters For The Hungry is encouraging those of you who hunt to make room in your freezer for the upcoming hunting season by removing wild game and fish out of your freezer and donating it to a local food bank. Julie Grunewald is the executive director for Hunters for the Hungry.

Cut 7 (07) “…want to donate.”

Grunewald encourages you to visit clean-out-your-freezer-dot-com to find out where you can bring your frozen food so that it can be distributed to food banks, shelters and public kitchens.

Cut 8 (07) “…to accept ’em.”

Grunewald says they collected nearly 18,5000 pounds of frozen goods from Clean Out Your Freezer Day last year. She says the goal is to surpass that number this year. She says this is one of the best days of the year for food banks.

Cut 9 (09)  “…many hot meals.”

__________________________________________

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveil their marketing campaign for out-of-state tourism. Nungesser says the campaign, which was unveiled during the Louisiana Travel Summit in New Orleans, is entitled “Every Moment Feeds Your Soul.”

Cut 10 (11) “…world to Louisiana.”

The marketing campaign will include a mixture of traditional media, as well as social media and influencers. Nungesser says the goal is to highlight the unique things in Louisiana that you don’t get to do anywhere else.

Cut 11 (08) “…in the state.”

They also unveiled the theme and float for Louisiana’s entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day. The float is called “Bienvenue en Louisiana,” or “Welcome to Louisiana” when translated to English. It features a gigantic pelican surrounded by Mardi Gras colors and other Louisiana staples like alligators and crawfish. Louisiana’s prior entries have also included musical performances; Nungesser says this one will be no different.

Cut 12 (10) “…coming to Louisiana.”

________________________________________________

Volunteers at Louisiana’s 988 Helpline get an increase in the volume of calls and texts coming in during periods of brutally hot weather conditions. Sherrod Crespo with Via Link, the nonprofit which operates the 988 Helpline, says the fact that people normally get less sleep in hot conditions has a lot to do with it.

Cut 13 (13)  “…the crisis line.”

Crespo says if the heat is affecting your mental health to the point that you’re considering harming yourself or others, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out for help, regardless of the circumstances.

Cut 14 (09) “…very much is.”

Crespo says the people at the 988 helpline are compassionate people who are there to help.

Cut 15 (07) “…carry anything alone.”

____________________________________________

LSU is just two weeks away from its season opener versus Clemson on September 5th. Head coach Lane Kiffin says quarterback Sam Leavitt did not look like himself as he recovered from his foot surgery in the spring, but he has reminded him what he can do during fall camp.

Cut 16 (16) “…plays around him.”

Former five-star defensive tackle Dominick McKinley made headlines for all the wrong reasons during the start of preseason practice. McKinley got reps with the second and third teams at times, but Kiffin says he has really turned his camp around.

Cut 17 (15) “…with our ones.”

Kiffin says he continues to be very satisfied with the starting defense, especially Ole Miss transfer edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen.

Cut 18 (19) “…get him down.”

Umanmielen had nine sacks as a Rebel last season.

_________________________________________

The Saints held their final preseason joint practice against the Rams yesterday. Wide receiver Chris Olave sat out the practice on a rest day, so head coach Kellen Moore says it was a good opportunity for quarterback Tyler Shough to face a great defense without his top target.

Cut 19 (14) “…led by Tyler.”

The Saints play the Rams in their second preseason game tomorrow at 3 p.m. Moore did not name a starting quarterback for the game.

Starting cornerback Quincy Riley went down with a groin injury on Tuesday. The next man up is free agent signing Martin Emerson Jr., who is coming off an Achilles injury that ended his time with the Browns. Saints corner Kool-Aid McKinstry says he has done a good job learning the scheme quickly.

Cut 20 (13) “…player for sure.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

After a child was infected by a brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne, Louisiana health officials are advising you to protect yourself when swimming in fresh water. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

DCFS tells a Senate committee the number of child deaths this year is on pace to surpass that of last year. It says abuse or neglect has played a role in 25 child deaths so far this year, compared to 29 in all of last year.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Investigators say 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report six active shooter alerts at various schools. Corporal Vincent Jackson says it was easy for the school board to determine who was triggering those false alarms.

Cut 10 (07) “…to those schools.” 

The lottery for the first-ever recreational alligator hunting season is now open. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says you will have plenty of chances to score a tag.

Cut 4 (11) “…ten-thousand opportunities statewide.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

A seven-year-old from Ruston has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in Lake Claiborne, according to KTBS-TV in Shreveport. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the amoeba can be found in fresh water and the only way to get the infection is through nasal exposure. He says to take steps to protect yourself when swimming.

Cut 8 (11) “…your nose.”

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former substitute teacher for allegedly triggering false active shooter alerts. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lytonja (luh-TAHN-jah) Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to falsely report active shooter alerts at several schools.

Cut 9 (13)  “…out five more.”

Louisiana is getting ready to hold its first-ever recreational alligator hunting season in October, and the lottery for tags is now open. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The NFL fined the Saints and Cowboys 500-thousand-dollars each for the teams’ conduct during a joint practice on Tuesday. There were reports of numerous scuffles between the teams throughout the day. New Orleans held another joint practice with the Rams today, and no fights occurred.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Big announcement is expected next Tuesday from Governor Jeff Landry regarding Elon Musk’s SpaceX plan to build a multi-billion-dollar spaceport on 130 acres of coastal marshland near Pecan Island in Vermillion Parish. Advocate Reporter Stephanie Riegel says though the project could mean thousands of jobs, many in Vermilion Parish are worried about how it could affect their way of life.

Cut 15 (11) “…Pecan Island community.”

More information will be released at a 11 AM press conference on Tuesday from Abbeville.

KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting a seven-year-old from Ruston has been hospitalized with a brain-eating amoeba after swimming in Lake Claiborne. Willis Knighton Health pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor Joseph Bocchini says the amoeba is a single-celled organism naturally found in fresh water, and it grows more rapidly when temperatures rise.

Cut 7 (11) “…within it.”

Doctor Bocchini says if you swim in fresh water take steps to prevent water going up your nose.

 

Caddo Parish Sheriff deputies arrest a substitute teacher after she allegedly triggered false active shooter alerts at five different schools. Corporal Vincent Jackson says 58-year-old Lyntonia Barfield used the school district’s emergency management system to report active shooter alerts. Jackson says Barfield may have been upset with school system officials…

Cut 11 (15) “…the school district’

Barfield has been booked on five counts of menacing.

A Ruston High school teacher has been charged with rape. Thirty-two-year-old Frasier Hogan was booked yesterday into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Authorities say Hogan is suspected of raping an intoxicated woman in 2025 and he also allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in 2020. Authorities believe there may be additional victims. Hogan was a reserve linebacker for Louisiana Tech in 2015 and 2016.