9:30 am Newscast

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President. And it’s not just here.

Cut 5 (07) “…Vice President.”

Law enforcement across the state are mourning the loss of Richland Parish Sheriff Gary Gilley who passed away over the weekend with his family by his side.  Ouachita  Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW) says Gilley’s death is not only a huge loss for Richland Parish, but for all of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (04)  “…one of us.”

Gilley will be laid to rest tomorrow afternoon.

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A new study shows a presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew Greenstein explains how this could also affect humans.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frightening day in New Orleans yesterday as a Cox Cable employee was shot and a postal worker was held at gunpoint in two separate incidents.  The shooting happened just noon in New Orleans East.  The victim in that shooting later died.  We’re told the postal worker was the victim of an armed robbery in Hollygrove about an hour later.

8:30 am Newscast

Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and experts say humans could be affected. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, it’s likely due to improper disposal of the drug and sadly it’s not a new phenomenon.

Cut 11 (13) “…largely been overlooked.”

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY) this morning. He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), on the man he says dedicated his life to serving others.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Gilly will be laid to rest tomorrow.

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LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC this year. Freshman Michael Van Buren has three years of eligibility left and David Murray, who covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports says LSU’s NIL dollars helped lure Van Buren to Baton Rouge…

Cut 14 (10) “…offensive linemen.”

After the Saints nearly completed an incredible comeback against the Commanders, falling one point short when a game-ending two-point conversion attempt failed, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he was proud of his team. On the day after, that didn’t change

Cut 16 (15) “…one play short.”

7:30 am Newscast

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President.

Cut 4 (11) “…the Electoral College.”

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY, ), who passed away over the weekend with his family by his side. Oachita Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), says Sheriff Gilley was a dedicated law enforcement professional.

Cut 8 (10) “…and the lord.”

Sheriff Gary Gilley was 66 years old.

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A new study shows the presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Frightening day in New Orleans yesterday as a Cox Cable employee was shot and a postal worker was held at gunpoint in two separate incidents.  The shooting happened just noon in New Orleans East.  The victim in that shooting later died.  We’re told the postal worker was the victim of an armed robbery in Hollygrove about an hour later.

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 17

LSU has signed quarterback Michael Van Buren who started eight games for Mississippi State this season. Van Buren threw 11 touchdown passes for the Bulldogs in 2024, but he also threw seven interceptions and was sacked 27 times. David Murray covers State for 2-4-7 sports and says Van Burn is known to hang on to the ball in the hopes of hitting the deep pass…

Cut 15 (16) “…college level certainly”

Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi remains impressed  with how his team nearly came back from a 17-point deficit to beat Washington on Sunday…

Cut 16 (15) “…one play short.”

New Orleans is at Green Bay next Monday.

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Sean Newman Junior had a strong game last night for Louisiana Tech men’s basketball and the Bulldogs defeated Grand Canyon 74 to 66. Newman had 25 points and had nine assists as Tech improved to 10-and-2.

Southeastern Louisiana defeated Grambling 75 to 66.

Tonight, LSU men’s basketball hosts Stetson.

The 5th ranked LSU Lady Tigers are in Connecticut to play Seton Hall who is 8-and-2. Associate Coach Bob Starkey spoke following an ugly win over U-L Lafayette on Sunday…

Cut 27 (13) “…to match”

Tip off is at 5 PM.

6:30 am Newscast

Today, the state’s Electoral College meeting takes place, where electors will officially cast their votes for Donald Trump.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and it could affect humans. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, says this likely has nothing to do with the trafficking of Fentanyl from Mexico, but rather the improper disposal of the drug, since wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove those pharmaceuticals from the water.

Cut 10 (06) “…into our system.”

—————–

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY). He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. His family was at his side when he passed away. One of Sheriff Gilley’s contemporaries, Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), remembers his longtime colleague.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Gilley’s funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Mangham Baptist Church.  Visitation is at ten.

LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC in 2024. Freshman Michael Van Buren threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs in ten games.  David Murray covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports and says Van Buren throws a nice deep ball…

Cut 13 (13)  “…five-eleven.”

 

LRN AM Newscall December 17

Today, the state’s Electoral College meeting takes place, where electors will officially cast their votes for Donald Trump.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_____________________________________________

A beloved sheriff in North Louisiana has passed away. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

_____________________________________________

A new study shows a presence of Fentanyl in dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Andrew Greenstein explains how this could also affect humans.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_____________________________________________

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry will oversee the state’s Electoral College meeting today in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s office says Landry will administer oaths of office to the eight Republican electors before they cast their official votes for President and Vice President.

Cut 4 (11) “…the Electoral College.”

Watson says these meetings taking place across the country will make Trump’s presidency official.

Cut 5 (07) “…Vice President.”

Watson says visit the legislature’s website to watch the ceremony via livestream.

Cut 6 (10) “…start at 12.”

 

_____________________________________________

Richland Parish is mourning the loss of Sheriff Gary Gilley (JILLY). He passed away over the weekend at the age of 66. His family was at his side when he passed away. One of Sheriff Gilley’s contemporaries, Ouachita (WASH-uh-tuh) Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw (muh-SHAW), remembers his longtime colleague.

Cut 7 (05) “…dedicated public servant.”

Mashaw says Sheriff Gilley was a dedicated law enforcement professional.

Cut 8 (10) “…and the lord.”

Mashaw says Sheriff Gilley’s death is not only a huge loss for Richland Parish, but for all of Louisiana.

Cut 9 (04)  “…one of us.”

Gilley’s funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Mangham Baptist Church, preceded by visitation starting at 10 a.m.

_____________________________________________

Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are testing positive for Fentanyl, and it could affect humans. Dr. Dana Orbach, an assistant professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, says this likely has nothing to do with the trafficking of Fentanyl from Mexico, but rather the improper disposal of the drug, since wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove those pharmaceuticals from the water.

Cut 10 (06) “…into our system.”

Dr. Orbach says this is not a new phenomenon.

Cut 11 (13) “…largely been overlooked.”

As for how the dolphins are becoming exposed to Fentanyl and other drugs, Dr. Orbach says it’s a chain reaction.

Cut 12 (13) “…predators like dolphins.”

Many of the fish species that dolphins eat are also eaten by humans, which may mean that if Fentanyl and other drugs are not disposed of properly, they could end up in the fish that you might one day consume.

_______________________________________________________

LSU has added a quarterback to its roster who started eight games in the SEC in 2024. Freshman Michael Van Buren was pressed into the starting role at Mississippi State when Blake Shapen went down with a season-ending injury. In 10 games, Van Buren threw for 1,886 yards and 11 TDs. David Murray covers the Mississippi State Bulldogs for 2-4-7 sports and says Van Buren throws a nice deep ball…

Cut 13 (13)  “…five-eleven.”

Van Buren has three years of eligibility left and Murray says he would have been the Bulldogs backup in 2025 with Shapen returning from his injury. He says LSU’s NIL dollars helped lure him to Baton Rouge…

Cut 14 (18) “…offensive linemen.”

Van Buren threw seven interceptions and he was also sacked 27 times for a team that went 2-and-10 in 2024. Murray says Van Buren is known to hang on to the ball in the hopes of hitting the deep pass…

Cut 15 (16) “…college level certainly.”

_______________________________________________________________

After the Saints nearly completed an incredible comeback against the Commanders, falling one point short when a game-ending two-point conversion attempt failed, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he was proud of his team. On the day after, Rizzi said he was even more proud of his team.

Cut 16 (15) “…one play short.”

The Saints mounted their comeback after Spencer Rattler relieved an ineffective Jake Haener. Rattler and Haener were filling in for Derek Carr, who’s not only nursing a broken non-throwing hand but is also in concussion protocol. Coach Rizzi says Carr is still day to day.

Cut 17 (11)  “…at the moment.” 

The Saints’ next game is next Monday night against the Packers in Green Bay. Rizzi says the extra day allows him to alter the team’s practice schedule this week.

Cut 18 (13)   “…we normally have.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Two unrestrained kids are among three killed in a head-on crash between an SUV and a pickup in Washington Parish. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion says the two children who died were 11 and three years old…

Cut 12 (10) “…deceased on the scene.”

The adult who was killed has been identified as 42-year-old Tequilla Santee.

Students in kindergarten through third grade are improving their reading scores, thanks to a new focus on phonics-based literacy instruction. Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on), the deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education, says those students improved their reading proficiency by more than two percentage points.

Cut 6 (09) “…level in literacy.”

Last year’s kindergarten class improved their reading scores by more than 20 points as first graders.

A National Council on Teacher Quality report says Louisiana teachers are less diverse than its population. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A former deputy police chief in Bossier City is behind bars on a child sex crime. 57-year-old Richard McGee is charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He’s in the Caddo Correctional Center on a 150-thousand-dollar bond. McGee served with the Bossier City Police Department for more than 30 years before his retirement.

4:30 PM Newscast Dec 16

An Opelousas man was arrested after fleeing a Youngsville mental health facility on foot, stealing a school bus and causing a four-vehicle crash in Lafayette on Sunday night. He then stole a truck from a bystander who stopped to help. Lafayette PD Senior Corporal Ashley Wood says 26-year-old Marion Baker was arrested after he crashed that truck in Rayne.

Cut 3 (10) “…collision with four vehicles.”

Lafayette P-D reports several individuals received moderate injuries as a result of the crash.

52 men and women began their journey to become State Troopers today. The 24-week academy is said to be challenging as cadets receive training in areas involving defensive and de-escalation tactics, detection of impaired driving, fair and impartial policing, use of force and civil rights, criminal, and traffic law. Cadets look forward to graduating at the end of May.

Reading scores are up among the state’s youngest learners. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report says Louisiana’s teacher workforce is significantly less diverse than its population. Teach for America Executive Director Ge’ron Tatum says to address this, strategies include recruiting from historically Black colleges and offering financial support to prospective teachers.

Cut 11 (15) “…entering the profession.”

3:30 PM Newscast Dec 16

A former Bossier City Deputy Chief of Police and pastor of Embrace Me Ministries has been arrested for an alleged child sex crime. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says the arrest of 57, year old Richard Broom McGee came after they were contacted by the DA’s office. They say it was a secret indictment, and they don’t know which agency conducted the investigation. McGee was taken to the Caddo Correctional Center around noon and charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile. He is held on a $150,000 bond.

State troopers don’t know why the driver of a Silverado, Logan Schmalz of Franklinton, crossed the centerline on LA 25 in Washington Parish, where a head on crash that took the lives of 3 people including a 3-year-old and 11-year-old, but Trooper Marc Gremillion says State Police has this message.

Cut 13 (07)  “…or speed.”

Louisiana’s teacher workforce is significantly less diverse than its population of college-educated adults, according to a National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) report. Teach for America Executive Director Ge’ron Tatum says Louisiana teachers earn 5-thousayd-dollars less than the Southern regional average and 15-thousdand dollars below the national average, deterring people of color from entering or staying in the profession. Tatum stresses that representation matters, as research shows teachers of color significantly benefit student outcomes.

Cut 10 (11) “…leads to great results.”

Last year’s Louisiana kindergarteners improved their reading scores by more than 20 points as first graders. Deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on) says several factors contributed. She says better reading scores at the early levels set kids up for success later in their education and, in effect, later in life.

Cut 8 (06) “…improvement.”

2:30 PM Newscast Dec 16

Three people are dead, including two children, as a result of a head-on collision between an SUV and a pickup truck on L-A 25 in Washington Parish. State Police Trooper Marc Gremillion says the adult who was killed has been identified as 42-year-old Tequilla Santee. Gremillion says the two children who died were 11 and three years old…

Cut 12 (10) “…deceased on the scene.”

Several people sustained moderate injuries in a four-vehicle crash in Lafayette caused by an Opelousas man who stole a school bus after fleeing a Youngsville mental health facility Sunday. Lafayette PD Senior Corporal Ashley Wood says after the crash, 26-year-old Marion Baker fled the scene in a truck he stole from someone who had stopped to help. He was arrested after crashing the bystander’s truck in Rayne. Baker is currently being held without bail in Lafayette Parish Jail.

Cut 5 (09) “…as well as theft.”

A National Council on Teacher Quality report says Louisiana teachers are less diverse than its population. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Students in kindergarten through third grade are improving their reading scores, thanks to a new focus on phonics-based literacy instruction. Dr. Jenna Chiasson (CHASS-on), the deputy superintendent at the State Department of Education, says several factors are contributing to the rise in reading proficiency among those children.

Cut 7 (12) “…Science of Reading.”

Dr. Chiasson says tutoring has also helped improve reading scores, with kids getting individualized instruction.