6:30 AM LRN Newscast

A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Shreveport man is accused of shooting and killing his mother at a condominium complex in Metairie Wednesday morning.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Officials say 21-year-old  Nakee Collins shot his 48-year-old mother multiple times.  Though detectives are still working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a motive Collins is in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center charged with second degree murder.

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As that Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over whether utility ratepayers will be stuck with the bill. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy says she doesn’t exactly trust Meta and Entergy when they say they will cover all the costs of the electricity needed to power the massive facility.

Cut 7 (10) “…shifted to residents.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, whose city is one parish to the west of the data center, says he’s confident that Meta and Entergy will keep their end of the bargain and not stick ratepayers with the bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…State of Louisiana.”

LRN AM Newscall July 16

As the size of the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over how much it could cost utility ratepayers. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Veteran running back Alvin Kamara will indeed be a Saint this season. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A man and a woman from Houma are behind bars, charged with sexually assaulting children.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Jeff Landry said this week that New Orleans is no longer important to Louisiana as it once was. But Stephen Barnes, the director of the Kathleen Blanco Public Policy Center at UL Lafayette, says the New Orleans region has more influence on the state’s economy than any other metro area in the state.

Cut 4 (12) “…state tax revenues.”

New Orleans does not have the population or the number of jobs it had pre-Hurricane Katrina. But Barnes says New Orleans is still a huge driver and has the largest concentration of economic activity in the state. Barnes says that’s why it’s still important that the state makes sure that New Orleans succeeds.

Cut 5 (05) “…our state grow.”

Landry made his comment that New Orleans is not as important as it once was at the announcement of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar investment into the Richland Parish A-I data center. Barnes says the data center is great, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…the state economy.”

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As the Meta data center in Richland Parish grows, so do concerns over whether utility ratepayers will be stuck with the bill. Alaina DiLaura with the group Alliance for Affordable Energy says she doesn’t exactly trust Meta and Entergy when they say they will cover all the costs of the electricity needed to power the massive facility.

Cut 7 (10) “…shifted to residents.”

Governor Landry responded to that claim by saying unlike Louisiana, other states were not prepared for the infrastructure demands of such a large data center. DiLaura also notes that the contract between Meta and Entergy does not cover the lifespan of the gas plants they’re building.

Cut 8 (11) “…beyond 20 years.”

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, whose city is one parish to the west of the data center, says he’s confident that Meta and Entergy will keep their end of the bargain and not stick ratepayers with the bill.

Cut 9 (08)  “…State of Louisiana.”

Mayor Ellis says Meta and Entergy keeping their promises is essential for future data center projects, which he says are huge economic drivers, especially in rural areas.

Cut 10 (12) “…future power generation.”

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Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a restructured deal to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans. The 30-year-old had jaded back-and-forth with the front office regarding his future after the Saints signed free-agent running back Travis Etienne (AY-chan). Nola.com’s Matt Paras (“Paris”) says in an offseason where the Saints lost Taysom Hill and Demario Davis, it’s good to see a veteran star return.

Cut 11 (10) “…people are happy.”

Injuries and offensive struggles have limited the once-explosive running back in recent years. Paras says he expects Etienne to step into more of a leading role in the backfield but hopes the offense finds ways for Kamara to contribute.

Cut 12 (12) “…that skill set.”

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A man and woman from Houma are arrested on allegations of physically and sexually abusing children. Investigators with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office say 57-year-old Thomas Tucker the Third is the perpetrator and is behind bars on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Deputy Blake Tabor says Tucker is facing a slew of charges.

Cut 13 (09)  “…two counts.”

Tabor says what’s especially disturbing is that Tucker passed himself off as someone who children could trust and confide in.

Cut 14 (10) “…of Society Ministries.”

In addition, detectives say 47-year-old Sharotta Lewis witnessed the abuse and failed to report it. She was arrested on charges similar to the ones Tucker is facing, and she’s also being held on more than 600-thousand dollars bond. Tabor says this remains an active investigation.

Cut 15 (09) “…to come forward.”

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Grambling is picked to finish second in the SWAC West in the conference preseason poll behind defending champs Prairie View A&M. Third-year head coach Mickey Joseph says he tried to lead a balanced attack when he arrived at Grambling, but now he knows the team’s identity.

Cut 16 (15) “…want to bang.”

Grambling is coming off a 7-and-5 season last year. Two of the Tigers’ four SWAC losses came by just one point. Offensive lineman Alexander Vigil says the G-men need to play complementary football to win close games.

Cut 17 (16) “…the other team.”

Southern, meanwhile, is fifth in the preseason poll after a 2-and-10 season last year. The Jaguars welcomed Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the program’s new head coach. Faulk says it was perfect timing that he was looking to be a coach, and the Jaguars needed one.

Cut 18 (20) “…happen than Louisiana.”

Defensive back Herman Brister is a preseason All-SWAC first-team selection. He says he expects this year’s group to be a different team with Faulk at the helm.

Cut 19 (16) “…off the field.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

50 Cent’s Shreveport investment could be in jeopardy after posting a cryptic Instagram message that said some people in the city don’t want things to get better. He plans to transform dormant industrial spaces into state-of-the-art film and television production facilities. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux notes the rapper’s efforts date back several years, so there’s no way he’s going to pull out of the city completely.

Cut 7 (09) “…will go forward.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent. The measure will head to the Senate, where Congresswoman Julia Letlow says it faces an uncertain fate.

Cut 13 (05) “…so we’ll see.”

Year-round Daylight Saving Time would result in more sunlight in the winter evening hours but later sunrise times. Supporters argue evening sunlight will be good for local economies, while opponents raise concerns about dark commutes for students and workers.

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his number-seven jersey retired during LSU’s matchup with Texas this season. Jones joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova, Jerry Stovall and Charles Alexander as the former Tigers to have their jerseys retired. Jones says he joins incredible company.

Cut 11 (13) “…always special.”

Jones name and number will be enshrined above the south end zone. The number seven will not retire.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara is finalizing a pay cut to stay with the Saints. Speculation had swirled about the 30-year-old being cut or traded thanks to his and free-agent addition Travis Etienne’s big contracts. With the pay cut, he and Etienne can share the backfield, and Kamara can stay at least one more season with the team that drafted him in 2017.

4:30 LRN Newscast

The U-S House approves legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent nationwide. Louisiana’s House Delegation supports the measure. Congresswoman Julia Letlow says she voted for it after polling her constituents…

Cut 12 (08) “…on this one”

The legislation heads to the Senate. The upper chamber approved a similar measure in 2022.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says don’t read too much into a cryptic post by 50 Cent, when he said he might have to pull back on the Red River project. Arceneaux says the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has already invested millions of dollars in revitalizing downtown Shreveport, and the big question is whether he will actually run the Red River District.

Cut 8 (12) “…couple of spots.”

 

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired in Tiger Stadium. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Saints and running back Alvin Kamara have agreed to a restructured contract that will result in the franchise’s all-time leading rusher playing a tenth season in New Orleans. Kamara will reportedly receive a pay cut, but it ends speculation that he would be cut from the team for financial reasons.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Congress is trying again to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Budget problems in the Jefferson Davis Parish town of Elton have led to steep pay cuts for the mayor and police chief. Mayor Michael Pierotti now earns 12 dollars an hour, while the police chief makes 11 dollars an hour. Pierotti says the cuts stem from financial mismanagement before he took office in May 2024.

 

Could 50 Cent’s investment in Shreveport be in jeopardy? The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, posted a cryptic message on Instagram, saying some people in Shreveport don’t want things to get better and he may have to “pull back on the Red River,” referring to his proposed entertainment production district. Mayor Tom Arceneaux says he’s not worried.

Cut 6 (11) “…on everything else.”

Jackson plans to transform vacant industrial buildings into film and television production studios.

The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed 36 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection that can cause severe diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite and bloating. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says symptoms can last up to a month.

Cut 5 (09) “…may have cyclosporiasis.”

Five people in Louisiana have been hospitalized.

2:30 LRN Newscast

It’s a complete role reversal. Four years ago, the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, passed unanimously in the Senate, only to have it not heard in the House. This week, that same bill passed overwhelmingly in the House; and Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who voted in favor of it, acknowledges it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Cut 13 (05) “…so we’ll see.” 

The search is on to find the source of the parasite causing an outbreak of explosive diarrhea. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says this national outbreak suggests there is a domestic cause – it’s almost always caused by contaminated fresh produce.

Cut 4 (09) “…types of items.”

Sokol recommends thoroughly washing all produce and washing your hands before and after handling it. 

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says don’t read too much into a cryptic post by 50 Cent, when he said he might have to pull back on the Red River project. Arceneaux says the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has already invested millions of dollars in revitalizing downtown Shreveport, and the big question is whether he will actually run the Red River District.

Cut 8 (12) “…couple of spots.”

LSU is retiring the Ruston Rifle’s jersey this season. Bert Jones’ number 7 is going up on the south end zone facade during the November 14th game against Texas. Jones says playing in Death Valley was unforgettable.

Cut 10 (12) “…special time.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

What a difference four years make. In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent, only to have that bill stall in the House. Now, four years later, the House passed that same bill, sending it to the Senate where it meets an uncertain fate. Julia Letlow was among the representatives who voted in favor of it, doing so after polling her constituents.

Cut 12 (08) “…on this one.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 36 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. Louisiana is just one of 30 states that have reported cases of the infection. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the CDC and FDA are working to find the source of the outbreak.

Cut 3 (12) “…resolve the outbreak.”

Former LSU All-American quarterback Bert Jones will have his jersey retired in Tiger Stadium. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Drew Hanson. He’s the U.S. marshal who was shot and killed while trying to serve a warrant on a fugitive in Alexandria this week. Currently, the campaign has raised more than 85-thousand dollars of its 110-thousand-dollar goal. The 36-year-old Hanson leaves behind a wife and two kids.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana has topped 2.01 million for the first time in state history. That’s according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says Monroe posted the fastest job growth of any metro area, fueled by construction of Meta’s 50-billion-dollar data center in Richland Parish. He says six of the state’s ten metro areas added jobs, while Houma and Shreveport lost jobs.

Cut 29  (10) “…the coming year”

 

There is a concern Curtis 50-cent Jackson may pull back from his extensive investment plan in Shreveport. 50-cent recently posted on Instagram that there are people in Shreveport that just don’t want things to get better and that he only makes deals that make sense and he will have pull back on the Red River district. Mayor Tom Arceneaux told KEEL radio that 50 Cent’s efforts in Shreveport date back several years, so there’s no way he’s going to pull out of the city completely.

Cut 7 (09) “…will go forward.”

 

Former LSU quarterback Bert Jones, the first All-American signal caller in LSU history, will have his number seven jersey retired in Death Valley November 14 during the Texas game. Jones is an LSU Athletics and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer, but he says this takes the cake.

Cut 9 (12)  “…list for me.”

The Ruston native started for LSU from 1970-1972 and won three bowl games and an SEC Championship and left as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

 

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 36 in-state cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. The infection causes frequent and watery bowel movements, fatigue, loss of appetite, bloating and more. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says symptoms can last up to a month.

Cut 5 (09) “…may have cyclosporiasis.”

Five Louisianians have been hospitalized with cyclosporiasis

11:30 LRN Newscast

The search is on to find the source of the parasite causing an outbreak of explosive diarrhea. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says this national outbreak suggests there is a domestic cause – it’s almost always caused by contaminated fresh produce.

Cut 4 (09) “…types of items.”

Could 50 Cent’s investment in Shreveport be in jeopardy? The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, posted a cryptic message on Instagram, saying, in his words, some people in Shreveport don’t want things to get better, and he’s going to have to pull back on the Red River, referring to the entertainment production district he’s seeking to create. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says he’s not concerned about 50 Cent’s overall commitment to the city.

Cut 6 (11) “…on everything else.”

The number of non-farm jobs in Louisiana has topped 2.01 million for the first time in state history.  Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says while the construction boom has boosted employment, he’s concerned Louisiana ranks among the lowest in the South for new business applications since 2019.

Cut 12 (10) “…a faster rate.”

A new law going into effect August 1st adjusts minimum lengths and increases catch limits for black bass and crappie in portions of the Atchafalaya Basin. Ryan Montegue with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the law will allow LDWF officials to monitor the fishing quality in the area closely.

Cut 15 (12) “…benefit the fishery.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

More details have been released about the U.S. marshal deputy killed in a shooting in Alexandria on Tuesday. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Here’s what we know about the officer who was killed, 36-year-old Drew Hanson. He joined the U-S Marshal’s service in 2020. His father, Mike Hanson, says wearing that badge was his dream from the time he was young and he carried it with pride. Mike also describes his son as an extraordinary father and someone who lived boldly, served proudly and loved deeply.  Drew Hanson leaves behind his wife and two children.

 

The Louisiana Department of Health has reported 36 in-state cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection causing explosive diarrhea. Louisiana is just one of 30 states that have reported cases of the infection. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the CDC and FDA are working to find the source of the outbreak.

Cut 3 (12) “…resolve the outbreak.”

Louisiana is all in when it comes to A-I, with multiple data centers being built in the state. Meta is building a 50-billion dollar AI Data center in Richland Parish, Sarah Morris, who teaches at Holly Ridge Elementary School in Rayville, says having Meta in their parish will help set up Richland Parish students for successful careers…

Cut 9 (12) “…with their careers”