Louisiana get a real taste of winter at the start of next week. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has the latest…

Cut 1 (29)  “…I’m Bill Jacquemin”

______________________________________

While some say changing to a closed-party primary is too expensive and not fair, Governor Landry’s administration says otherwise. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

______________________________________

Nick Saban is heading into retirement after winning seven national championships, six of them at Alabama and one at LSU in 2003. Former LSU quarterback Marcus Randall played for Saban and there’s a reason why he’s considered the greatest college football coach of all time.

Cut 3 (11) “…he’s been.”

Randall was LSU’s starting quarterback for Saban’s final season in Baton Rouge. He left to coach for the Miami Dolphins. Randall says if Saban stayed at LSU, the Tigers would have had a dynasty,,,,

Cut 4 (08) “..a winner.”

Saban had a 48-16 record at LSU, winning two SEC championships and a national title in 2003. Saban began coaching at Alabama in 2007, winning six national titles and nine conference titles. Randall says there will never be another Saban…

Cut 5 (07) “ …unheard of.” 

________________________________________________________________

The debate over moving to closed-party primary elections versus the current open process in Louisiana is being met with opposition. But Brent Littlefield, longtime political advisor to Governor Jeff Landry, says there’s a campaign underway to confuse lawmakers and the public about the issue.

Cut 6 (08) “…this idea.” 

JMC Analytics and Polling estimates a change would cost the state an extra $90 million annually. Littlefield says such numbers are speculative and exaggerated…

Cut 7 (11) “…in the sky.” 

With the transition, politically unaffiliated voters would only be able to vote in the general election and not the primary. Those against say voters who aren’t registered with a political party would be disenfranchised.  Littlefield says that’s a false talking point.

Cut 8 (11) “…presidential election.” 

During next week’s redistricting session for both the congressional and judicial maps, Littlefield says legislation for closed-party primary elections will be introduced.

__________________________________________________________________

There’s a crawfish crisis ongoing because of last year’s drought. LSU Ag Center crawfish specialist Mark Shirley is predicting this could be the worst season ever. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he’s spoken to a few farmers who have pressed pause on fishing…

Cut 9 (09) “…one or two sacks.” 

Strain says expect to pay more crawfish this season…

Cut 10 (10) “…of crawfish” 

Strain says they’ll have a better idea in three weeks on how bad the season might be…

Cut 11 (10) “…quit fishing.”

Strain remains optimistic there will be a good supply of crawfish once Easter rolls around.

Nick Saban tells ESPN the grind of coaching was the reason why he decided to retire at the age of 72. Saban says it was getting harder to work long hours on just four hours of sleep.

Saban coached at LSU from 2000 to 2004 and went 48-16 during those five seasons. He built the Tigers into a national powerhouse and after a two-year stint with the Miami Dolphins he arrived at Alabama in 2007. Saban won his first national title at Alabama in 2009 and went on to win five more national titles. Former LSU wide receiver Marcus Clayton has mixed emotions about his former coach’s retirement…
cut 18 (18) “,,,under his leadership”

The Pelicans won their seventh straight road game last night as New Orleans crushed the Golden State Warriors 141 to 105. Eight players scored in double figures. Coach Willie Green…
cut 20 (12) “…turnover games:
The Pels only had eleven turnovers. New Orleans is at Denver tomorrow.

In college hoops…the Ragin Cajuns lost to Troy 79-73. ULM hosts Southern Miss tonight, while Louisiana Tech is at Middle Tennessee. Bulldogs Coach Talvin Hester on what needs to happen to get a win in Murfreesboro…
cut 19 (16) “….like our chances”
Tip off is at 8 PM.

Alabama coach Nick Saban has announced his retirement after winning seven national championships, the first one came at LSU in 2003. Wide receiver Michael Clayton was one of several standout recruits in LSU’s 2001 recruiting class that led the Tigers to a BCS National Championship. Clayton remembers that in home visit with Saban….
cut 17 (14) “…my life”

LSU has hired defensive line coach Bo Davis away from Texas. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says this should end the revolving door of D-Line coaches the program experienced in 2003 when Jamar Cain left for job with the Broncos…
cut 15 (12) “…stability”
Davis will reportedly start out making 1.25 million dollars.

The Pelicans won their seventh straight road game last night as New Orleans crushed the Golden State Warriors 141 to 105. Eight players scored in double figures led by Jonas Valanciunas who had 21 points. Zion Williamson had 19 points and seven assists and Trey Murphy came off the bench and scored 16. Coach Willie Green…
cut 20 (12) “…turnover games:
The Pels only had eleven turnovers. New Orleans is at Denver tomorrow.

The Ragin Cajuns had four players in double figures last night but lost to Troy 79-73. Kobe Julien had 20 points as U-L Lafayette fell to 1-and-3 in the Sun Belt.

The Lady Techsters fell in overtime to Middle Tennessee 64 to 61 last night. Tech is now 1-and-1. The Lady Cajuns lost to Troy 90-44.

Stunning news in the world of college football as Alabama head coach Nick Saban has decided to retire. The 72-year-old has won seven national titles, six at Alabama and one at LSU in 2003. Some say this past season was one of his greatest coaching jobs as he led the Crimson Tide to the college football playoffs.

LSU made a big coaching hire today as they convinced defensive line coach Bo Davis to leave Texas and come back to his alma mater. Davis was a nose guard at LSU in the early 1990s and now he’s considered one of the best defensive line coaches. He’s been part of three national championships including LSU’s in 2003 as a strength and conditioning coach. He’s also produced 17 all-conference selections and seven all-americans in 12 years.

Bulldogs Coach Sonny Cumbie announced today that offensive line coach Nathan Young has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator.

After winning just two conference games last year, LSU men’s basketball is off to a 2-0 start in SEC play this season after beating Vanderbilt 77 to 69 in the Maravich Center last night. Jalen Cook had 28 points. It’s the first time since the 2019-20 season that LSU started conference play with back-to-back wins. Coach Matt McMahon says he’s seeing his team play with more confidence…
cut 18 (18) “…getting better”
LSU wil be at 16th ranked Auburn this Saturday.

Nicholls is off to a 2-0 start in league play after beating Southeastern Louisiana 66-61 last night. The Lions are 1-and-1.

The Pelicans are at Golden State tonight. New Orleans has won six straight road games.

Defensive tackle Maason Smith has played his last game for the LSU Tigers. The former five-star recruit announced late yesterday afternoon that he’s leaving the Bayou Bengals after three seasons for the NFL. Smith entered the 2023 season as an All SEC preseason performer, but his play did not meet expectations as he finished with 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Former LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith says Smith has received advice that now is the time to make the jump to the NFL…
cut 17 (14) “….his goals”
Smith’s departure leaves LSU with just two returning scholarship defensive tackles, Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee.

Former Many star Tackett Curtis will continue his college career at Wisconsin after playing one season at USC. Grambling’s leading rusher from last season Chance Williams has committed to Cincinnati and former Zachary quarterback Eli Holstein is going from Alabama to Pittsburgh.

The LSU men’s basketball team is 2-0 in the SEC after defeating Vanderbilt 77-69 last night. The Tigers only led by two points at halftime, but Coach Matt McMahon says his offense was more efficient in the second half…
cut 19 (15) “…ball well”
Big night for Jalen Cook as he had 28 points and Jordan Wright added 15 points.

Four Colonels players scored in double figures as Nicholls defeated Southeastern Louisiana 66-61. Diante Smith led the way for the Colonels who are 2-0 in the Southland, while Southeastern is 1-1.

The Pelicans are at Golden State tonight in a game that will be televised by ABC. New Orleans is 22-15 and the Pels have won six straight on the road. The Warriors are struggling at 17-19.

The LSU men’s basketball team will try to go to 2-0 in SEC play with a win tonight at home against Vanderbilt. The Tigers have played better since Tulane transfer Jalen Cook was granted eligiblity in mid-December. Cook in four games is averaging 14 points and nearly five assists a game. Coach Matt McMahon says Cook has been a real shot in the arm…
cut 17 (18) “….the team”
LSU is 9-5 overall, while Vanderbilt is 5-9. Tip off is at 8 PM.

McNeese is 2-0 in the Southland after beating Northwestern State 68-59 last night. Shadada Wells had 18 points and five assists. Nicholls hosts Southeastern Louisiana tonight. Both teams won their conference opener.

Dennis Allen says he expects to be back next season as the Saints head coach. Allen went 7-10 in his first season and now 9-8. He was asked about a divide between the players and coaches over the decision to score a touchdown in the final seconds of Sunday’s blowout win over Atlanta. Allen answered the question this way…
cut 20 (10) “…fracture”
The Saints will have the 14th pick in the first round of the draft and Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan is reporting former Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden could be an added to the Saints coaching staff.

The Advertiser is reporting a suspension that kept Ragin Cajuns wide receiver Lance LeGendre on the sidelines for the entire 2023 season has been lifted. Legendre was suspended from the team after he was arrested in July on charges of battery of a dating partner. The charges were dropped in October.

The college football season ended last night with Michigan defeating Washington 34-13 for its first national championship since 1997. The final AP Top 25 poll came out today and the LSU Tigers are ranked 12th.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr ended up throwing for 3,878 yards this past season with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Carr received plenty of criticism from the fanbase during the season, but finished the year strong. Coach Dennis Allen says there are several reasons why Carr played well down the stretch…
Cut 19 (26) “…he’s played.”
There’s a report the Saints are looking at bringing in former head coach Jon Gruden as an addition to its coaching staff.

The college football season ended last night with Michigan beating Washington 34-13. The Wolverines are national champions for the first time since 1997. Now we wait to see if Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh will make a jump to the NFL.

The NFL Network reports Dennis Allen will remain the Saints head coach. Allen told reporters on Monday he also expects to be back in 2024 but knows he has to do a better job…
Cut 18 (19) “…didn’t.”
Nola-dot-com’s Jeff Duncan says the Saints are expected to make changes to their coaching staff and former head coach Jon Gruden could be addition.

The LSU men’s basketball team has a chance to go 2-0 in the SEC tonight when they host Vanderbilt. The Tigers won their SEC opener on Saturday night against Texas A-and-M, while the Commodores are 5-9 overall. But Coach Matt McMahon says they can’t take Vandy lightly…
Cut 16 (16) “..recent games.”
Tip off is at 8 PM.

Last night, McNeese improved to 2-0 in Southland play with a 68-59 win over Northwestern State. The Demons fell to 0-2. It’s the first time in 39 years that the Pokes have started league play with two victories on the road.

Also last, UNO outscored Texas A-and-M Commerce 88-85. Southern downed Prairie View A-and-M 79 to 58 and Texas Southern topped Grambling 54-52.

Controversy at the end of Sunday’s Saints game as New Orleans scored a touchdown with three seconds left to give them a 48-17 margin of victory over Atlanta. Falcons coach Arthur Smith thought it was poor sportsmanship, Saints coach Dennis Allen says he just wanted to take a knee, but quarterback Jameis Winston says the team decided they wanted to give running back Jamaal Williams his first and only touchdown of the season…
cut 13 (09) “…good about that”
There are some analysts who say it’s a sign Allen has lost the team. But NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Allen is expected to return next season as head coach. Allen says he has to do a better job.

The Pelicans started a five game road trip last night with a convincing 133 to 100 win over Sacramento. New Orleans has won 10 of its last 14.

It was a productive weekend for the LSU football program. On Saturday, they received a verbal commitment from the nation’s number one prospect for the Class of 2025, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood chose the Tigers over Michigan, Alabama, Colorado, Florida State, Oregon and Penn State. LSU’s 2025 recruiting class is now ranked number one.

And Friday night, LSU announced it hired Blake Baker to be Tigers’ next defensive coordinator. Baker turned around Missouri’s defense and Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says coach Brian Kelly needs this hire to work out…
cut 17 (10) “….banking on”
Baker was LSU’s linebackers coach in 2021. He was the defensive coordinator at Louisiana Tech from 2015 to 2018. The Houston native is also a former Tulane linebacker. This past season, Baker played a major role in Missouri’s 11-2 season. Mizzou was fourth in the SEC in scoring defense and fifth in total defense.

The Saints did their part yesterday and they put up a beat down on the Atlanta Falcons, beating the Dirty Birds 48-17. But despite the win, New Orleans is not in the playoffs as the teams they needed to lose all won on the final regular season Sunday in the NFL.

The game ended with some fireworks as the Saints scored the final touchdown with three seconds left as Jamaal Williams scored on a one-yard run. Atlanta Coach Arthur Smith was upset and let Saints Coach Dennis Allen know as he refused to shake his hand at the end of the game. Allen says he wanted Jameis Winston to take a knee…
cut 20 (12) “….he should be” (3x)
It was Williams only touchdown of the season and Smith has coached his last game with the Falcons as he was fired after three seasons.

It was a big weekend for the LSU football program as the Tigers received a verbal commitment from the nation’s number one prospect, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood. He’s a 2025 recruit.

Blake Baker will be LSU’s defensive coordinator next season. Baker replaces Matt House, who was LSU’s defensive coordinator for two seasons. The 2023 Tigers’ defense ranked among the worst in the country. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says Baker gets credit for turning around a bad Missouri defense and he’ll try to do the same at LSU…
Cut 18 (21) “…banking on.”

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team defeated Ole Miss 84 to 73 and the Pelicans also won the road last night as New Orleans slammed the Sacramento Kings 133 to 100.