4:45 LRN Sportscast

Many are asking what is going on with the defending champion LSU Lady Tigers? They dropped their second straight last night, falling to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey for the second straight game says they failed to get defensive stops in the second half. With just two starters back from last year’s team, Mulkey says they lack experience…
cut 10 (10) “…things get tough”
The ninth ranked Lady Tigers next game is Sunday at home against Florida.

Nothing wrong with the McNeese men’s team. The Cowboys won their 14th straight game last night, an 89 to 65 win over the Northwestern State Demons. The 14 straight wins is the longest winning streak in the nation.

The Ragin Cajuns look for their sixth straight win when they host in-state rival ULM tomorrow night.

Baseball America has LSU ranked second in its preseason Top 25 poll. Speaking of second, former West Monroe star Josh Pearson is trying to make the move from left field to second base. Pearson says he got advice form last year’ starting second baseman Gavin Dugas…
cut 19 (13) “….balls hit to me”
Over in Lafayette, Cajuns Coach Matt Deggs says their pitching staff is the strength of their team, as they have a half dozen candidates to start on the weekend. He says at the plate, they might not play for the big inning early on as the offense could be a work in progress…
cut 17 (14) “….behind that pitching”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The defending champion LSU women’s basketball team has its first two-game losing streak since 2022 as the Lady Tigers lost last night to Mississippi State 77-73. Coach Kim Mulkey says they are not executing defensively…
Cut 9 (12) “…doing it”
The loss drops LSU’s record to 18-4 and 5-3 in the SEC.

South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is in line to be LSU’s new starting shortstop. Braswell hit just three home runs in two seasons with the Gamecocks. He says he’s worked hard to lift the ball more and drive the ball into the gap…
Cut 20 (16) “…process though.”
The Tigers are ranked second in the Baseball America’s preseason poll.

Starting next school year, girls high school wrestling will be a championship sport within the LHSAA. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

McNeese men’s basketball extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 games wiht an 89-65 win over Northwestern State. Christian Shumate had 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Pelicans lost their third straight last night as New Orleans failed to hold on to a 17-point lead and lost Boston 118 to 112. The Pels’ record drops to 26-21, tied for seventh place in the Western Conference with Dallas.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The ninth ranked LSU women’s basketball team now has a two-game losing streak as the Lady Tigers lost at Mississippi State 77 to 73 last night. The Bulldogs shot 53-percent from the field and made nine three-pointers.

McNeese won its 14th straight, the nation’s longest winning streak, with an 89-65 win over Northwestern State.

The Pelicans had a 17-point lead in the first half, but lost to Boston 118 to 112 as New Orleans has lost five of its last seven.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has approved girls wrestling as a championship sport, starting next year. There are three boys divisions and LHSAA Assistant director Adam McDowell says adding a girls division was overwhelmingly approved…
cut 8 (11) “….a mistake”
Louisiana will be the 45th state to sanction girls wrestling as a high school sport.

LSU third baseman Tommy White says he’s healthy after offseason shoulder surgery that resulted in him not swinging a bat for six months. White says his shoulder bothered him all last year…
Cut 18 (19) “…should be fun.”
The Tigers are ranked second in Baseball America’s preseason poll.

After winning 41 games and reaching an NCAA Baseball regional last year, the Ragin Cajuns are preparing for another season that hopefully ends with a postseason berth. Coach Matt Deggs on what he sees from his team as full squad workouts are underway…
Cut 16 (19) “…extremely athletic.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Full squad workouts are underway for college baseball teams and the LSU Tigers are looking to repeat as national champions. Coach Jay Johnson likes the mindset of his team as he does not see any complacency….
Cut 16 (25) “…really positive.”
Baseball America’s preseason ranking came out today and the LSU Tigers are ranked second behind Wake Forest. Arkansas, Florida and Oregon State round out the top five.

McNeese men’s basketball picked up another vote in the A-P Top 25 poll. The Cowboys have the nation’s longest winning streak at 13 straight games and tonight the Pokes host Northwestern State.

The Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech men’s basketball each have five-game winning streaks. U-L Lafayette topped Texas State 66-46 yesterday. The Cajuns will host ULM on Wednesday. The Warhawks rallied from 17 down yesterday to beat Arkansas State 85-82 in overtime

Louisiana Tech defeated New Mexico State 73-53 on Saturday as Isaiah Crawford had a game-high 25 points. The Bulldogs are tied with Sam Houston for first place in Conference USA. Tech is at F-I-U on Thursday.

Grambling is tied for first place in the SWAC with Alabama State. The Tigers have won four in a row and they host Arkansas Pine Bluff tonight.

The Pelicans are in Boston tonight to take on the Celtics. New Orleans has struggled to beat they better teams in the NBA. They got clobbered by Milwaukee on Saturday and hammered by Oklahoma City on Friday. Boston has the best record in the Eastern Conference. Tip off is at 6:30.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Chiefs and 49ers will face each other in the Super Bowl on February 11th in Las Vegas. Kansas City defeated Baltimore 17-10. Chiefs cornerback and former Louisiana Tech star L’Jarius Sneed forced a fumble as Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers was attempting to score a touchdown in the third quarter…
cut 28 (08) “….came out”
And if you know a Lions fan, give them a hug. San Francisco rallied from 17 points down to beat Detroit 34-31. Former Ragin Cajuns running back Elijah Mitchell had a touchdown run for the 49ers.

Saints receiver Michael Thomas took a subtle shot at quarterback Derek Carr while interacting with a fan on the social media platform X. Thomas said he was on track for a one-thousand yard receiving season if it wasn’t for a bad pass that led to his season-ending injury.

Full squad workouts are underway for the defending national champion LSU baseball team. Former Sulphur star Jake Brown is one freshman who is trying to crack the starting line-up. Brown could be a starter in left field and he was also an outstanding pitcher for Sulphur. Coach Jay Johnson likes his versatility….
cut 18 (19) “….the ball”

In college basketball….What a win for the ULM men’s team yesterday as the Warhawks rallied from a 17-point deficit 17 point deficit to stun Arkansas State 85-82 in overtime. Tyreese Watson hit a three-pointer with nine seconds left for the win.

The Ragin Cajuns won their fifth in a row as they easily defeated Texas State 66-46. Louisiana Tech has also won five in a row as the bulldogs defeated New Mexico State 73-53 on Saturday.

7:30 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans took on one of the better teams in the Western Conference last night, without Zion Williamson, and could not hang with the Oklahoma City Thunder. O-K-C held New Orleans to a season low in points, 83, as the Pels lost 107 to 83. The Pelicans shot just 39 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers. Coach Willie Green knows they can play better against the better teams in the NBA…
cut 19 (12) “…room for improvement”
The Pelicans finished a four-game homestand with a 2-2 record. They are in Milwaukee tonight. Williamson, who missed last night’s game with a sore foot, his status for tonight’s game is unknown.

The LSU men’s basketball team is at Alabama tonight. The Tigers are looking for their first win in Tuscaloosa since 2019. Tip-off is at 9 PM.

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The Ragin Cajuns won their fourth consecutive game yesterday as U-L Lafayette beat Arkansas State 81-75. Kobe Julien had 21 points.

Louisiana Tech goes for its fifth win in a row as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State, who is 3-and-2 in Conference USA. Tip-off is at 2 PM today.

The Atlanta Falcons have requested permission to talk with LSU’s co-offensive coordinator Cortez Hankton about being the Dirty Birds O-C.

The defending national champion LSU baseball team has begun full squad workouts. Catcher Hayden Travinski could have decided to pursue a professional baseball career, but the Shreveport native wanted one more season in purple and gold…
cut 18 (16) “…our job”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The 9th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers led for most of the game last night, but South Carolina played with poise down the stretch and left Baton Rouge with a 76-70 victory. The Gamecocks outscored LSU 24-14 in the fourth quarter and LSU star player Angel Reese fouled out with about four minutes left. Coach Kim Mulkey says it’s a tough loss, but there’s still plenty of season left…
Cut 20 (14) “…just one game.”
The loss ended LSU’s home winning streak at 29 games.

In other action last night, Louisiana Tech dribbled past UTEP 68-54 to remain perfect at home this season. The Bulldogs also improved to 4-and-1 in Conference USA play.

ULM won its second straight, an 80-66 win over South Alabama and the Warhawks will face Arkansas State at 1 PM on Sunday.

Sunday is championship Sunday in the NFL. At 2 PM, the Chiefs battle the Ravens in Baltimore in the AFC Title Game and then at 5:30 it’s the 49ers hosting the Detroit Lions for the NFC Championship Game. Former Saints defensive back C-J Garner Johnson is trying to help the Lions get the Super Bowl for the first time ever…
cut 15 (14) “…for the conference championship”
The 49ers are favorite by a touchdown.

The LSU men’s basketball team is at Alabama tomorrow night. The Tigers are trying to split on the road this week after losing at Georgia on Wednesday. Bam a is 5-and-1 in the SEC.

In the Southland…McNeese hosts UNO. The Cowboys are 17-2 overall and just beat Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. Northwestern State hosts the Islanders at 3 PM.

In the NBA….the Pelicans host Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 31-and-13 and in second place in the West.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Thursday’s night’s Top ten matchup between LSU and South Carolina lived up to the hype, but the Gamecocks played with the poise and toughness needed to get the victory and they stay undefeated with a 76-70 victory over the Lady Tigers. LSU led for most of the game, but when Angel Reese fouled out with about four minutes left, top ranked Carolina took control. Coach Kim Mulkey…
cut 21 (21) “….we could”
LSU’s home winning streak ends at 33 straight games.

The La Tech men’s team won its fourth straight, a 68-54 win over UTEP as Daniel Batcho had 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

ULM has its second two game winning streak of the season as the Warhawks defeated South Alabama 80-66 yesterday. Makai Willis had a career-high 21 points.

The Ragin Cajuns game against Arkansas State was postponed until 4 PM today because of a power outage at the Cajundome.

Former LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been arrested for allegedly placing thousands of bets on sporting events with FanDuel, when he was 20-years-old. Which is illegal. State Police say he created account with another person’s name and birthday. Some of the bets were on LSU and himself to do well.

Three weeks from today, the college baseball season begins. LSU Catcher Hayden Travinski will wear the coveted number eight jersey, which goes to one of the team’s leaders…
cut 17 (13) “…return the favor”
LSU opens the season against VMI on February 16.

Updated LRN AM Newscall with Mulkey bite

On the eve of 2nd anniversary of legal mobile sports betting in Louisiana, former LSU football star Kayshon Boutte turns himself in on charges he allegedly made illegal sports bets while underage and at LSU. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The 2024 crawfish season remains murky despite a couple of days of heavy rainfall. Teiko Foxx explains…

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Congressman Garret Graves says what fellow Republicans did to his district when they revised the map to have a second majority -Black district won’t hold up in court. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The arrest of former LSU football star Kayshon Boutte for allegedly making illegal sports bets when he was a minor and at LSU comes the day before the 2nd anniversary of legal mobile sports betting in Louisiana. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman  Ronnie Johns says protecting the integrity of gaming is something the state takes seriously…

Cut 4 (08) “…who it is.”

Boutte’s arrest warrant says more than $637,000 in wagers were allegedly made from a fraudulent FanDuel Sportsbook account he allegedly made. An alert was triggered and sent to the State Police when seven different bets were made on one game. Johns says when it comes to enforcing the rules, the board is on top of their game…

Cut 5 (07) “…things like this.” 

Investigators were following Boutte’s activities from April 2022 to May 2023 and say he placed more than 89-hundred wagers including 17 on NCAA football games. Boutte was playing football for LSU in 2022 but Johns confirms evidence shows Boutte was not throwing games…

Cut 6 (06) “…in any way.”

Boutte face charges of computer fraud and gaming prohibited and placing sports bets under the age of 21.  Anyone who needs help can reach out to Gamblers Anonymous by calling 855- CALL GA

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Despite several inches of rainfall, LSU AgCenter Crawfish Specialist Mark Shirley says Louisianans will not see a boost in what’s expected to be a dismal crawfish season. He says the rain will help flush ponds but will not increase crawfish harvest.

Cut 7 (13) “…normal year.”

Last summer’s historic drought impacted this year’s crawfish harvest. Eighty-eight percent of the Bayou State is still experiencing some level of drought, according to today’s U-S drought monitor.

Shirley says some farmers produced zero crawfish, while others did not have quite an average production. He says prices have sky-rocketed for buyers who are purchasing less this year.

Cut 8 (09) “…of year.” 

Louisiana farmers on average produce 100 to 120 million pounds of crawfish per year, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Shirley says he’s hopeful for an increase in harvest this year, but it’s still a waiting game.

Cut 9 (13)  “…and see.”

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Republican Congressman Garret Graves, whose district was redrawn says he still intends to run for office despite that his district is now more likely to elect a Democrat. Graves criticizes lawmakers for passing a map he believes was haphazardly drawn to satisfy only a demographic versus communities of interests.

Cut 10 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

Graves says the map is almost a carbon copy of the one the courts rejected in the 90s and he’s confident it will happen again. While some lawmakers say they had no choice but to pass a map with two majority-Black districts Graves says otherwise, that the map had yet to make its way to a merits trial.

Cut 11 (10) “…ridiculous.” 

In the meantime, he says he’ll see how it plays out in the courts and because he’s in line to become the new chair of House Transportation, which oversees funding for roads and bridges, coastal restoration, and FEMA, to name a few.  Graves says he might look at running in another one of the four congressional districts that include Baton Rouge.

Cut 12 (09) “…Transportation Committee.” 

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On a 3-to-2 vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission votes to create a statewide energy efficiency program. Opponents say it will lead to higher bills, but PSC member Davante Lewis says Entergy, Cleco, SWEPCO, and other utility companies regulated by the commission can tap into federal dollars to make their homes more energy efficient.

Cut 13 (10)  “…is low.”

Commissioners Craig Greene and Foster Campbell also voted for the energy efficiency plan. Campbell believes it will lead to less energy usage for many, helping to lower customers’ bills…

Cut 14 (08) “…unnecessary energy.” 

The P-S-C will hire a third-party administrator to design and implement the program and monitor utilities for compliance and progress. PSC member Eric Skrmetta this is why he voted against this plan…

Cut 15 (08) …waste of money.“

Skrmetta says utility companies already have energy efficiency programs that customers can use, so there’s no need for a third-party administration. He believes in the long run this deal will end up costing customers…

Cut 16 (11) “…the state.” 

Mike Francis of Crowley also voted no.

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We are three weeks away from opening day and the defending LSU baseball champions are once again contenders to win another national title. Shreveport’s Hayden Travinski is one of the stars who is returning from last year’s team and he’ll wear jersey number eight this year, which goes to an upperclassman for their leadership and dedication to the LSU program. Travinski on learning to be a leader…

Cut 17 (13) “…the favor.” 

Travinski could have decided to pursue a professional baseball career after last season, but the former Airline star wanted one more year in purple and gold…

Cut 18 (16)  “…our job.” 

LSU’s top two starting pitchers from last year, Paul Skenes and Ty Floyd, have moved on. Thatcher Hurd is expected to be the Tigers Friday night starter. After some early season troubles, Hurd finished the season strong and was the winning pitcher in the championship game. Travinksi expects a big season from Hurd…

Cut 19 (12) “…get to work.” 

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The 9th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers led for most of the game, but South Carolina played with poise down the stretch and left Baton Rouge with a 76-70 victory. The Gamecocks outscored LSU 24-14 in the fourth quarter and LSU star player Angel Reese fouled out with about four minutes left. Coach Kim Mulkey says it’s a tough loss, but there’s still plenty of season left…

Cut 20 (14) “…just one game.”

Mulkey says South Carolina was the tougher team.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU football star Kayshon Boutte has been arrested after he allegedly created a fraudulent sports betting account on FanDuel Sportsbook when he was 20 years old. You have to be 21 to bet. State Police says Boutte’s alias account shows at least six of his wagers were on LSU football. But East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the evidence shows he was not throwing games…
Cut 14 (06) “…do well”
Boutte has been charged with computer fraud and gaming prohibited and placing bets when under 21.

The big game is tonight as the ninth-ranked Lady Tigers host top-ranked South Carolina in a huge matchup in women’s college basketball. Teiko Foxx has more…
Cut 20 (33) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Louisiana Tech brings a three-game winning streak into tonight’s home game against UTEP at 6 PM. The Bulldogs will also host New Mexico State on Saturday. Tech coach Talvin Hester says winning at home is a must…
cut 18 (19) “…the goal”

The Ragin Cajuns begin a six-game homestand tonight as U-L Lafayette hosts host Arkansas State U-L Lafayette has also won three straight and the winning streak started with a win over the Red Wolves 12 days ago.

ULM is looking to win its second straight as the Warhawks host South Alabama at 7:30 in Fant-Ewing Colisum. The Warhawks snapped a nine-game losing streak with a seven point win over Old Dominion on Saturday. The Jaguars are 10-9 overall, 3-and-4 in the Sun Belt.

LSU men’s basketball lost a tough game last night, falling to Georgia in the final seconds 68-66.