2:30 LRN Newscast

Another Louisiana representative is added to a powerful GOP committee. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The hurricane season ended over the weekend with 18 named storms. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says after a mid-season lull we saw  lot of activity in September and October with Hurricanes Helene and Milton…        Cut 13 (08) “…and Harvey”

One of the Saints top players is out for the season. Taysom Hill, who plays multiple positions on offense, was carted off the field in the fourth quarter of yesterday’s loss to the Rams and it was confirmed today he tore his A-C-L. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says it’s a big loss…

Cut 24 (11) “…multi-dimensional”

The Saints are now 4-and-8 and will visit the Giants on Sunday.

Sonny Cumbie is staying on as the head coach of Louisiana Tech despite a third consecutive losing season with Cumbie at the helm. Tech’s offense held them back in 2024. The Bulldogs ranked 113th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 22 points per game, while the defense allowed just 20 points a game after a dismal 2023 season. Ruston radio sports talk show host Sean Fox says for Cumbie to keep his job, the offense has to improve…

Cut 10 (09) “…going into 2025.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a 3-year-old child dead, and nine others injured.  One of the victims included a 15-year-old shot on Bourbon Street, and another wounded on Canal Street.  NOPD Captain Lejon Roberts says the two shootings could be related.

Cut 4 (15) “…on Canal Street.”

Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee that is tasked with selecting charis for all standing committies and deciding on strategizes for the Republican caucus.  House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are also on the Republican Steering Committee, giving Louisiana 18-percent of the voting block. Letlow says she can’t wait to get to work for the people of Louisiana in the new Congress.

Cut 8 (13) “…40% of Boomers.”

Despite three consecutive losing seasons, Louisiana Tech is bringing back football coach Sonny Cumbie for a fourth season. The Bulldogs went 5-and-7 this season, but 97.7 in Ruston Sports Director Sean Fox says an upset win over Western Kentucky and shutout victory over Kennesaw State likely saved Cumbie’s job…

Cut 9 (07)  “…the season.”

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, marked by record-breaking activity, not quite aligned with NOAA’s predictions of an above-average season. The forecast anticipated 17–25 named storms, 8–13 hurricanes, and 4–7 major hurricanes, driven by record-warm sea surface temperatures and a La Niña atmosphere, according to LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim.

Cut 12 (11)…all that was anticipated.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans endured a weekend of intense gun violence, with eight shootings in less than 12 hours, leaving three adults and a 3-year-old child dead, and nine others injured. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says group fights on Canal and Bourbon Streets led to three shootings on Saturday night and into early Sunday, wounding six people…

Cut 3 (14) “…settling their beefs.”

Monroe-area Congressman Julia Letlow has landed a spot on the Republican’s Steering Committee. Letlow says this powerful committee will have a major say on what the 119th Congress will look like…

Cut 7 (11) “…selections.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise are also on the Republican Steering Committee, giving Louisiana 18-percent of the voting block.

The Saints have lost one of their best offensive playmakers for the season. Taysom Hill, who was carted off the field in the fourth quarter in yesterday’s 21-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, will need surgery to repair a torn ACL. Quarterback Derek Carr says Hill has the utmost respect of the players on the Saints and across the NFL…

Cut 15 (13) “…like that.”

The Saints are 4-and-8 and will visit the Giants on Sunday.

Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie will return for a fourth season, despite a third consecutive losing season in Ruston. There are Bulldog fans who say athletics director Ryan Ivey kept Cumbie, because the buyout to fire him was too expensive. But sports talk show host Sean Fox doesn’t see it that way

Cut 11 (14) “…a chance.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

This week, Governor Jeff Landry could sign the tax reform legislation approved in the recently completed legislative session. Landry lauds the tax reform package as a tax cut for Louisiana residents, but Representative New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says a reduction to personal income taxes, combined with a higher sales tax, is a wash for most taxpayers …

Cut 14 (16) “…going up.”

In order to pay for the cut to income taxes, legislators raised the state sales tax to five-percent, giving Louisiana the highest or one of the highest sales tax rates in the country. But Senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, Manish Batt says legislators can do more reform to the soften the higher sales tax hit…

Cut 12 (09) “…two years.”

Louisiana ranks among the worst in the nation for lung cancer survival, with a survival rate of 23-percent, significantly below the national average of 28-percent. American Lung Association Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says targeted actions are taking place to increase the survival rate and that includes lung cancer screening…

Cut 9 (10) “….outreach about screening”

The LSU football team defeated Oklahoma 37-17 in the regular season finale on Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier came back from an in-game injury to his shoulder to throw for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Nussmeier says he was determined to finish the game…

Cut 20 (15) “….out there”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Monroe-area Congresswoman Julia Letlow is added to the powerful House Republican Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with selecting chairs for all standing committees and deciding on the strategy for the Republican caucus. Letlow says she’s looking forward to serving on the committee.

Cut 6 (07) “…that they desire.”

Louisiana ranks among the worst in the nation for lung cancer survival, a survival rate of 23-percent. The national lung cancer survival rate has improved by 26-percent over the past five years due to advancements in early detection and treatment. American Lung Association Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says targeted actions are being taken in Louisiana and that includes biomarker testing and lung cancer screening.

Cut 8 (12) “…care of with surgery.”

This year, the calendar is not on the side of retailers. Since Thanksgiving fell on the latest date possible, that leads to the shortest Christmas shopping season possible, when defined as starting the day after Thanksgiving and ending Christmas Eve. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says it’s one reason why retailers started their deals early this year…

Cut 4 (07) “…some next week.”

Today is a big shopping day as it’s Cyber Monday.

LSU beat Oklahoma 37-17 on Saturday night. The Tigers finished the regular season with an 8-and-4 record, but Coach Brian Kelly believes this program is on the verge of playing for a national championship….

Cut 18 (17) “….national championship game”

The Tigers await their bowl game assignment. Meanwhile, the Ragin Cajuns, Southern and Tulane are preparing to play in a conference championship this weekend

9:30 am Newscast

Louisiana’s lung cancer survival rate is 5 percent lower than the national average.  Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (34) “…Sean Richardson.”

A Shreveport woman is hospitalized after authorities say a man stabbed her in the head.  It happened over the weekend in the 24-hundred block of David Raines Road.  Police say the woman was dropping off her children at the man’s home when the incident happened. He’s in jail.  She’s expected to make a full recovery.

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This holiday shopping season is as short as possible after Thanksgiving came late this year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says shoppers are having to adjust…many of them buying more on line, to save time.

Cut 6 (11) “…their purchasing power.”

The Saints fell to 4-and-8 after a 21-14 loss to the Rams at home yesterday. New Orleans had a chance to win or tie the game on a fourth down inside the Rams’ 10-yard line with under two minutes to go but came up short. Coach Darren Rizzi

Cut 15 (18) “…they should be.”

8:30 am Newscast

Thanksgiving is barely over, but it’s already late in the holiday shopping season.  Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 1 (35)“…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’ was a busy and sadly, violent weekend in the Crescent City with 11 people shot in six separate shootings.  In all two men and a toddler were killed, eight other people were injured.  NOPD reports three of the six shooting incidents happened on Canal street.
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The nonprofit Tax Foundation says changes lawmakers made to Louisiana’s tax code in the recent special session should improve the state’s business climate.   Senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, Manish Batt says it will allow Louisiana to better compete with other states.

Cut 11 (13) “…that problem.”

Governor Landry  is thrilled about the the tax reform package, but New Orleans Democratic Representative Mandie Landry says a reduction to personal income taxes, combined with a higher sales tax, is a wash for most taxpayers …

Cut 14 (16) “…going up.”

7:30 am Newscast

The nonprofit Tax Foundation says changes made to improve Louisiana’s tax code by lawmakers during the special session will move the Bayou State out of the bottom in their rankings for tax codes. Senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, Manish Batt, says the tax reform package waiting for the governor’s signature should improve the state’s Business climate…

Cut 10 (10) “…already have.”

But not everyone is as optimistic.   State Representative Mandie Landry, a Democrat from New Orleans, says she doesn’t believe the changes will lead to business growth.

Cut 13 (12)  “…hasn’t happened”

Louisiana’s income tax rate will go down beginning January 1st, while the state sales tax will go up five cents at the start of the new year.

 

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One of the worst states in the nation for lung cancer survival is Louisiana, with a survival rate of 23-percent, significantly below the national average of 28-percent. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…Sean Richardson.”

Since Thanksgiving fell on the latest date possible, it’s let to the shortest Christmas shopping season possible. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says retailers started their Black Friday deals early this year…

Cut 4 (07) “…some next week.”

6:30 am Newscast

The nonprofit Tax Foundation applauds the changes Louisiana lawmakers have made to the state’s tax code. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A violent weekend in the Crescent City with 11 people shot in six separate shootings.  In all two men and a toddler were killed, eight other people were injured.  NOPD reports three of the six shooting incidents happened on Canal street.

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This year, the shortened calendar means less time to shop for that perfect Christmas present.  That’s because Thanksgiving fell so late this year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says the short shopping season is forcing shoppers to adjust their behavior.

Cut 5 (18) “…to get back.”

Louisiana ranks among the worst in the nation for lung cancer survival, with a survival rate 5 percent lower than the national average.  American Lung Association Director of Advocacy Eric Weinzettle says contributing factors include low rates of lung cancer screening and surgical treatment and more smokers.

Cut 7 (10) “…here in Louisiana.”

 

11:30 am Newscast

If holiday shopping is on your to-do list today, don’t forget to make sure local businesses are on your list.  Today’s Small Business Saturday. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, reminds us all that small businesses are the backbone of our communities.

Cut 9 (10)  “…kids’ sporting event.”

Speaking of shopping, the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts shoppers will spend more this year than they did last year. Experts say the balance between online and in-store shopping continues to blur, with convenience and accessibility playing a big role. .  LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says retailers are focusing on seamless shopping experiences using technology like AI and data analytics to attract and retain customers.

Cut 6 (07) “…of sales”

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LSU will close out the regular season against Oklahoma tomorrow night, they’re hoping for a win on senior night. Kave Kieschnick has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The world’s tallest Christmas tree structure is back again this year in Stonewall.  The “Spirit of DeSoto” Christmas tree structure was unveiled last year, but this year’s lighting ceremony is bigger and better. The event kicks off at five behind Stonwall Government Plaza on Highway 171.  The 300 foot radio communications tower “tree” lighting is set for 6:30.