3:30 PM Newscast July 8

A group of teenagers from Terrebonne Parish are accused of targeting, beating, and robbing homeless people in the French Quarter. New Orleans Police say the attacks were reported about 2:35 Sunday morning after the teens allegedly pistol-whipped the first victim in the head. A second victim was also beaten with a gun and had his backpack and bicycle stolen. The suspects then allegedly threw the man’s belongings into the Mississippi River. One victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.  Officers arrested Keith Morvant, Leland Fitch and Jaden LeBeouf, all 18, as well as a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy.

Beryl made landfall early this morning as a category 1 hurricane along the Texas coast and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. While Louisiana was spared the brunt of the storm LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says…

Cut 6 (11) “…out of this.”

The western half of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 pm.

Northwestern State University has narrowed their search for a new president to 3 finalist including Northwestern Alum, Associate Justice for the Louisiana Supreme Court District 3 James Genovese who according to NOLA DOT Com reporter Tyler Bridges is Governor Landry’s choice for the job. Genovese has reportedly ruled against some tough on crime cases and if he leaves the court for NSU, there will be an opening that could be filled by a more conservative judge.

This year’s I Voted Stickers have been unveiled and they feature a crawfish in a suit and top hat named Mark D’Ballot. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

2:30 PM Newscast July 8

Louisiana was spared the brunt of Beryl, but the Bayou State will experience rain, and the western half of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 PM. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Olivia “Livvy” Dunne says she’s not Dunne yet. In a video post to X she announced she is returning to LSU for another season with the National Champion Tigers’ Gymnastics team! Her post included clips of the Tigers and LSU and she says”there’s just something about LSU.”

Some Democratic lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race, though they didn’t offer up any nominees. Despite Biden saying he won’t step aside, LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan thinks it would be beneficial for the Democrats to explore the possibility of having someone else run.

Cut 10 (12) “…all there.”

Shreveport artist William Joyce created Louisiana’s 2024 I Voted Stickers featuring a top hat wearing crawfish named Mark D’Ballot. Though Joyce has created and worked on several children’s books, TV shows and movies, including multiple Academy Award winners, he thinks these stickers are the most important thing he’s ever worked on because the impact is immediate and far-reaching.

Cut 5 (08)  “…what’s the downside?”

The stickers will be handed out to people who vote in the fall election.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 8

Beryl, who made landfall early this morning in Texas has been downgraded to a tropical storm. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana will see some rain and storm surge values are predicted to be less than three feet along Louisiana’s southwestern coast, causing some issues because a three-foot surge is not insignificant.

Cut 8 (11)  “…all that.”

The western half of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 pm.

In Avoyelles Parish, 29-year-old Zachary Stephen Bullitt of Marksville has been arrested for the shooting death of his grandmother 76-year-old Nellie Whitstine Rousseau. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office says they responded to a reported homicide Saturday afternoon. Bullitt has been arrested and charged with First-Degree Murder and Obstruction of Justice. Bond has not been set and the investigation is ongoing.

President Joe Biden has announced he has no plans to step aside as the Democratic presidential nominee after a lackluster debate performance that did little to dispel rumors about any declining cognitive abilities. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says despite this, some Democrats are hesitant to rally behind Biden.

Cut 9 (10) “…territory.”

Louisiana’s 2024 I Voted Stickers have been unveiled, featuring a crawfish named Mark D’Ballot. This year’s sticker was designed by Shreveport artist William Joyce who says he wanted Mark to look more cheerful about casting his ballot to ensure people are enticed to vote and feel proud once they do.

Cut 4 (08) “…and I want to, too.”

12:30 LRN Newscast July 8

Beryl made landfall early this morning as a category 1 hurricane along the Texas coast and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says a few days ago Beryl’s project path was northeastern Mexico, but the track began to take a turn to the east.

Cut 7 (12) “…days ago.”

Western Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 10 pm.

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s first six months in office, and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the conservative Republican is going about his job like many expected him to, appealing to his base.

Cut 14 (12)  “…those things.”

This year’s I Voted Stickers have been unveiled and they feature a crawfish in a suit and top hat named Mark D’Ballot. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

 

11:30 LRN Newscast

It was six months ago today when Governor Jeff Landry took office, and the Republican hasn’t taken his foot off the gas with two special sessions and an aggressive agenda in the regular session. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat counts the crime session among Landry’s highest achievements and in the regular session he backed bills to revamp state government.
Cut 13 (12) “…six months.”

Beryl made landfall early this morning as a category 1 hurricane along the Texas coast and is now tropical storm as its moves through eastern Texas. While Louisiana was spared the brunt of the storm LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the Bayou State will have precipitation today as Beryl moves north-northeast.
Cut 6 (11) “…out of this.”
And there’s the potential for severe weather, the western half of the state is under a tornado watch until 10 pm.

Louisiana’s 2024 I Voted Stickers have been unveiled, featuring a crawfish sporting a suit and top hat named Mark D’Ballot. This year’s sticker was designed by Shreveport artist William Joyce, who says the sticker is an important and fun project to be part of.
Cut 3 (12) “…ends up mattering.”
Joyce says he wanted to create a sticker that appeals to the satisfaction people feel when they vote, regardless of politics.

Three baseball players with ties to Louisiana have been named Major League Baseball All-Stars. Former LSU All-America Paul Skenes has made just ten starts with the Pirates, but he’s been dominant in every one of them and is a National League All-Star team. Shreveport native Seth Lugo is also an All-Star. The veteran right-hander is having the best season of his career in Kansas City. Former Northwestern State All-American David Fry is also headed to the All-Star game. Fry is hitting .305 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs for the Cleveland Guardians.

10:30 LRN Newscast July 8

A proposed export terminal for liquified natural gas in southwest Louisiana continues to be on hold, waiting for Department of Energy approval. Kim Montie (Mon-tay) with the Cameron Parish Port, Harbor, and Terminal District says even though the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval wasn’t the go-ahead they hoped for…

Cut 12 (07) “…the parish.” 

The Calcasieu Pass 2 would be the nation’s largest export terminal of LNG

Dr. Stephanie Compton with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center has been awarded a 217-thousand dollar grant to study the impact of aerobic exercise on colon cancer survivors. If you’re a survivor who’s done with treatment, you’re eligible to participate.

Cut 9 (09)  “…Restore study.

Participants will receive a treadmill they can keep afterward

The Louisiana America 250 State Commission is preparing for the 250th birthday of the United States. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

Hurricane Beryl made landfall this morning as a Category 1 storm in Texas. Beryl has weakened to a depression and will continue to travel north-northeast. The western half of Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 10pm as a result.

 

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry celebrates his sixth month in office today. It was a very busy six months for the Republican from St. Martinville who helped push through legislation that seeks to reduce crime and he’s also made chances to state government. Landry also used the veto pen on 29 bills from regular session took out items in the state budget. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is somewhat of an enigma to politcos over where he’s coming from and how he makes decisions…
cut 15 (12) “….very complicated”

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 29-year-old Zachary Bullitt of Marksville for the fatal shooting of his 76-year-old grandfather, 76-year-old Nellie Rousseau of Marksville. Deputies say the shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon and Bullitt has been charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice.

Starting next year, Louisiana motorists will get new license plates to commemorate the 250th Birthday of America, which will actually take place in 2026. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham is heading up the Louisiana’s America 250 State Commission…
cut 6 (12) “….state in the union”
The Louisiana America 250 commission standardized license plate will be available starting January 1 through December 31, 2026.

Dr. Stephanie Compton with LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center has been awarded 217-thousand dollars from the American Cancer Society to study the impact of aerobic exercise on colorectal cancer survivors. Survivors are at a higher risk of developing health conditions like type 2 diabetes following cancer treatment. Compton says she hopes her study…
Cut 7 (07) “…completed.”
High blood sugar from type 2 diabetes following cancer treatment could contribute to other health conditions like heart disease.

8:30 LRN Newscast

It was six months ago today when Governor Jeff Landry took office, and the Republican hasn’t taken his foot off the gas with two special sessions and an aggressive agenda in the regular session. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat counts the crime session among Landry’s highest achievements and in the regular session he backed bills to revamp state government.
Cut 13 (12) “…six months.”
Landry also helped approve legislation to give the governor’s office the ability to name chair persons for numerous boards and commissions.

We just got done celebrating America’s birthday and in 2026 America will celebrate its 250th birthday and Louisiana’s America 250 Commission has been formed to begin planning for the 250th celebration in Louisiana. Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham….
cut 4 (08) “…country it is”
For example, Louisiana played a big role in the American revolution because of the Spanish presence in the state.

A proposed liquified natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana is in limbo due to delays from the U-S Department of Energy, even after approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

Hurricane Beryl made a landfall in south Texas this morning near Houston. More than one million customers are affected by power outages in the Houston area. The impacts from Beryl are expected to be minimal in Louisiana. Some coastal flooding in Cameron Parish and we are expecting see some strong winds in northwest Louisiana.

7:30 LRN Newscast

Today marks Governor Jeff Landry’s six month anniversary in office. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The first hurricane of the 2024 season made landfall this morning as Category One storm near Matagorda, Texas. The Houston area is seeing strong winds and heavy rainfall. We’re seeing rain in southwest Louisiana from Beryl and flooding is reported some Cameron Parish roads as a result of storm surge. The center of Beryl is expected to be a tropical storm as it moves past the Shreveport area during the overnight hours.

The construction of a massive liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana remains on hold because it has not received approval from the U-S Department of Energy. Kim Montie (Mon-tay) with Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District says Calcasieu Pass Two would mean 500 permanent jobs and it would benefit national interests too…
cut 11 (08) “…allies”
But the Biden Administration has not approved the project over concerns it will produce a large quantity of carbon emissions.

The American Cancer Society has awarded LSU Pennington Biomedical Researcher Stephanie Compton with 217-thousand dollars to see how aerobic exercise can help colorectal cancer survivors…
cut 8 (09) “…cancer treatment”
Compton says this research will help determine how exercise can benefit survivors.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Today marks six months since Governor Jeff Landry took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the conservative Republican is going about his job like many expected him to, appealing to his base. For example, his support of the Ten Commandments being displayed in the classroom.
Cut 14 (12) “…those things.”

A proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwest Louisiana continues to be on hold, waiting for Department of Energy approval. Kim Montie (Mon-tay) with Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District says she doesn’t understand the holdup since Calcasieu Pass 2 just received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Cut 10 (08) “…looking for.”
The Biden administration put a pause on liquified natural gas projects earlier this year, citing environmental and economic concerns.

The Louisiana America 250 State Commission is preparing for the 250th birthday of the United States. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes has made history. He’s become the first player to be selected as the number one overall pick and then the following season be named a Major League Baseball All-Star. Skenes will represent the National League in the All Star game on July 16th in Arlington, Texas.