5:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Bertha is on its westward move towards Louisiana, packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles an hour. Its current track has it going over southern Plaquemines, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jacob Zeringue says tropical storm-force winds are not expected to extend too far north from the coast.

Cut 7 (12) “…wind gusts tomorrow.”

The 2026 fiscal year was a record-breaker for the Louisiana Department of Treasury, as it returned more unclaimed funds than ever before. State Treasurer John Fleming says he and his staff returned 70.9-million dollars to their rightful owners in the last fiscal year. 

Cut 4 (07) “…dollars per individual.”

The Louisiana Department of Health has now confirmed an additional 12 cases of cyclosporiasis this past week, bringing the total since the start of the outbreak to 68. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the cyclosporiasis outbreak is under control, and there’s no cause for concern over previous cuts to the program that tracks food poisoning. Senator Bill Cassidy says he will be requesting a briefing on that.

Cut 5 (13) “…I believe it.”

UL Lafayette Athletic Director Bryan Maggard is leaving to take a job as the Deputy AD at Missouri. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says along with conference titles and NCAA postseason appearances, Maggard accomplished his biggest goal.

Cut 9 (12)  “…whole goal.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Georgia, Auburn, Vanderbilt and South Carolina took the stage at SEC Media Days today. LSU visits Auburn and new head coach Alex Golesh October 24th. Golesh took over at Auburn after a 9-and-3 season at USF last year. He brought 13 players with him, including quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown says those former Bulls have a chip on their shoulders as they take the step to the SEC.

Cut 16 (14) “…should be.”

UL Lafayette Athletics Director Doctor Bryan Maggard is leaving to take a job as the Deputy AD at Missouri. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says he guided the Cajuns through a new era in college athletics.

Cut 10 (12) “…on to Missouri.”

Southland Conference Media Day was today. McNeese head coach Matt Viator is entering his second season back in Lake Charles after winning four conference titles with the Pokes from 2006 to 2015. He says the Cowboys have a tough week one matchup against defending champs Stephen F Austin.

Cut 17 (15) “…have a shot.”

Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle is still trying to build the Demons program after notching just one win in two seasons. The Demons hosts Louisiana Christian in this year’s opener and McCorkle expects an electric atmosphere.

Cut 18 (16) “…need it again.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Bertha, located near the Florida and Alabama coasts, has maximum sustained winds of 60 miles an hour as it begins to trek towards Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center has Bertha moving west to east across Louisiana’s coast maintaining tropical storm strength through Thursday. Expect gusty winds and some rain south of I-10.

But Bertha will not provide any break from the heat. Most of the state is under an extreme heat warning tomorrow.

 

The FDA originally traced the source of the explosive diarrhea outbreak to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms, but it now says that test was a false positive. In his conference call with reporters today, Senator Bill Cassidy says the FDA should not have jumped the gun in its assessment.

Cut 3 (11) “…I get that.”

Taylor Farms is still recalling its lettuce out of an abundance of caution. L-D-H reports 12 more cases of cyclosporiasis this past week bringing the total number in Louisiana to 68.

Big news in Lafayette…as Ragin Cajuns athletics director, Doctor Bryan Maggard, is leaving to be the deputy A-D at Missouri. Host of the Locked on Sun Belt podcast, Dave Schultz, says Maggard guided the Cajuns through a new era of college athletics…

Cut 10 (12) “…to Missouri”

Schultz says Maggard’s biggest accomplishment is a 65-million dollar renovation to the football stadium.

3:30 LRN Newscast

We’re just minutes from getting another update from the National Hurricane Center on Tropical Storm Bertha. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jacob Zeringue (zur-RANG) says there are two main threats that Bertha brings to the Louisiana coast.

Cut 6 (15) “…day on Wednesday.”

So what exactly is the source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has now sickened 68 people in Louisiana? The FDA originally said it was contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms, but it has since backtracked on that. Senator Bill Cassidy says it underscores the importance of being totally sure of these things before going public with the information.

Cut 4 (12) “…you release them.”

With the new district lines making his path to re-election much more challenging, Congressman Cleo Fields says he will not be running for another term. Instead, Fields says he will run for the State Senate seat left vacant by the death of Larry Selders. Fields is expected to make his official announcement Friday morning in Baton Rouge.

UL Lafayette Athletic Director Ryan Maggard will become Missouri’s Deputy A-D after nine years in Lafayette. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Bertha, located in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, has maximum sustained winds of 60 miles an hour as it begins to make its way towards Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Bertha will not provide a break from this oppressive heat. We are seeing near triple-digit temperatures in north Louisiana. Mid 90s for south Louisiana this afternoon. Much of the state is under an extreme heat warning tomorrow as heat indices climb above 110 degrees to as high as 117 degrees.  We might see a break from the extreme heat on Thursday.

 

The state health department has confirmed an additional 12 explosive diarrhea cases caused by the cyclospora parasite. The number of total cases in Louisiana is up to 68. U-S Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Junior says the outbreak is under control, but Senator Bill Cassidy is concerned because there was a cut in funding to the program that tracks food poisoning…

Cut 5 (11) “…I believe it”

Cassidy is requesting a briefing on this issue.

 

The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting its first West Nile virus case this year. A person in Ouachita Parish tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there is no human vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile, so it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Cut 13 (13)  “…to make sure.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Bertha has maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour in the northeastern Gulf, and the National Hurricane Center says the storm has started to turn West towards the southeastern coast of Louisiana. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says Bertha is a lopsided storm so its stronger winds and heavier rain bands could remain over the Gulf, which means Louisiana may not receive the worst that Bertha has to offer.

Cut 8 (12) “…circulation.”

The FDA originally traced the source of the cyclophorias outbreak to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms, but it now says that test was a false positive. Senator Bill Cassidy says the FDA should not have jumped the gun in its assessment.

Cut 3 (11) “…I get that.”

 

Doctor Bryan Maggard is leaving U-L Lafayette as the school’s athletics director. He’s held that position since 2017 and led the renovation of the football stadium and the football team consistently went to a bowl game under his leadership. A search for a permanent A-D is underway and Dave Schultz, host of the Locked on Sun Belt podcast says it’s a hard job to fill with the right candidate…

Cut 11 (11) “…got to adjust”

At SEC Media Days, LSU makes a trip to Tennessee on November 21st. While it may not have the same vitriol as Kiffin’s return trip to Ole Miss in week three, fans in Knoxville have not forgotten about when the coach left them after just one season for USC in 2009. Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel says that’s a good thing.

Cut 18 (12) “…for his arrival.”

When Kiffin took Ole Miss to Knoxville in 2021 a golf ball and a entire bottle of mustard was thrown at him.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Bertha is gaining strength as its maximum sustained winds are up to 60-miles per hour as its churns in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. It’s moving slowly towards the Louisiana coast and is expected to make landfall in southeast Louisiana tomorrow night. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jacob Zeringue says rainfall amounts associated with Bertha will be limited to less than one inch for much of south Louisiana and when it comes tropical storm force winds????

Cut 7 (12) “…tomorrow”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year in Ouachita Parish. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths.

 

Those of you in southwest Louisiana who would like more information on the construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge that’s underway, there’s an open house in Lake Charles this evening that you can attend. John Guidroz with DOTD says people can get an up-close look at what the project entails.

Cut 5 (13) “…at Lakeshore Drive.”

The public hearing is today from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Lake Charles Event Center in the Contraband Room.

UL Lafayette Athletics Director Doctor Bryan Maggar is leaving to take a job as the Deputy AD at Missouri. Maggard has led Cajuns’ athletics since 2017 to 21 conference titles and 23 NCAA postseason appearances. Locked On Sun Belt Podcast host Dave Schultz says he accomplished his biggest goal.

Cut 9 (12)  “…whole goal.”

Maggard spearheaded a 65-million-dollar renovation to Cajun Field completed last year.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Bertha is strengthening in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. It is slowly moving northwest towards the southeastern coast of Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds at 60 miles per hour. The national hurricane center’s latest forecast calls for the storm to make landfall as a tropical storm tomorrow night in southeast Louisiana. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jacob Zeringue says there are two main threats with Bertha.

Cut 6 (15) “…day on Wednesday.”

St. Bernard Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Rahaim (“ram”) says they’re expecting wind and rain…

Cut 9 (08)  “…coast of Louisiana.”

 

If you have questions about the construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, there’s an open house in Lake Charles you can attend later today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

There are reports out of Lafayette that Ragin Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard is leaving. He’s been the A-D at U-L Lafayette since 2017. Maggard is very familiar with Missouri. He was the Tigers Executive Associate Athletic Director there for 21 years.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The National Hurricane Center said in its 10 AM update that Tropical Storm Bertha is getting stronger as it slowly moves towards Louisiana’s southeastern coast. Its maximum sustained winds are up to 60-miles per hour. State Climatologist Jay Grimes says Bertha is a lopsided storm with stronger winds and heavier rain bands to the south…

Cut 30 (15) “…circulation”

Bertha is expected to make landfall tomorrow night in southeast Louisiana and continue to move west along the state’s coastline. It’s possible that Bertha will be a storm that provides some gusty winds, but most of the rain will stay south of the Louisiana coast.

A tropical storm warning extends from the Florida panhandle to the Terrebonne-Lafourche Parish line.

 

Southwest Louisiana residents curious about the construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge can attend a public meeting tonight at the Lake Charles Event Center. DOTD spokesperson John Guidroz says not only will the public receive information on what to expect during construction, but they can also see all the benefits of a new bridge once it’s completed in 2031.

Cut 6 (11) “…State of Louisiana.”

The open house is this evening from 5:30 to seven in the contraband room at the Lake Charles Event Center.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year in Ouachita Parish. Last year, the state saw 86 confirmed human cases and four deaths. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says it’s important to do our part to keep mosquitos from multiplying.

Cut 14 (11) “…that stagnant water.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Bertha is making its way towards Louisiana. As of seven this morning, the eye of the storm was located about 100 miles south-southwest of Panama City, Florida, moving northwest at around five miles an hour; and it’s packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles an hour. On its current track, tropical storm-force winds are forecast to reach the southeast Louisiana coast early tomorrow morning.

Major impacts are not expected. St. Bernard Parish Emergency Preparedness Director John Rahaim (“ram”) says they’re expecting some wind and rain.

Cut 9 (08)  “…coast of Louisiana.”

The American Red Cross of Louisiana is ready to respond. Kenneth St. Charles, the CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region, says if your family needs to evacuate because of flash flooding and you have nowhere else to go, call the Red Cross.

Cut 11 (11) “…residents of Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed its first case of West Nile virus this year. The patient is in Ouachita Parish. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says most people infected with West Nile do not show symptoms. Around 20-percent develop flu-like West Nile fever, and a very small percentage develop a severe neuroinvasive disease.

Cut 15 (12) “…received organ transplant.”

Those of you in southwest Louisiana who would like more information on the construction of the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge that’s underway, there’s an open house in Lake Charles this evening that you can attend. John Guidroz with DOTD says people can get an up-close look at what the project entails.

Cut 5 (13) “…at Lakeshore Drive.”