6:30 LRN Newscast

We’re waking up to some cold temperatures. In Oak Grove it’s eight degrees, temperatures are in the low teens along I-20 and into Alexandria and upper teens along I-10. But we will see temperatures get above freezing today.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill to move Louisiana from a jungle primary system to a closed party primaries. Colleen Crain has the story…
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approves a Congressional district map that has the support of Governor Jeff Landry. Catahoula Parish Senator Glen Womack says his proposed map creates two majority minority districts, protects Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who serves on the Appropriations and Ag Committees and…
cut 14 (11) “…of Louisiana”
Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves’s district would turn into the second majority minority district. The full Senate takes up the proposal next.

Pete Carmichael is out as Saints offensive coordinator. Host of the Locked on Saints podcast, Ross Jackson, says a change had to happen, after two consecutive inconsistent seasons on offense…
cut 5 (13) “…improve here”

LRN AM Newscall January 17

The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael after 18 seasons with the organization, 15 as the offensive coordinator. Beau Gaspard has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Beau Gaspard”

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a bill to move Louisiana from a jungle primary to closed party primaries. Colleen Crain has the story…

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The congressional map backed by Governor Landry, that drastically changes Congressman Garret Graves district advances from committee. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (43) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Carmichael was the offensive coordinator for the last 15 seasons and he’s been with the franchise for 18 years. After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, change felt inevitable according to the host of the Locked On Saints podcast Ross Jackson…

Cut 4 (12) “…offensive system.”

Many in the Who Dat Nation believe head coach Dennis Allen should be fired, but Jackson says the Saints look at the inconsistency of the offense as a reason why Carmichael needed to be replaced.

Cut 5 (13) “…improve here.” 

Jackson on some possible replacements for Carmichael…

Cut 6 (11) “…in the NFL.”

Senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns were also let go.

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a closed-party primary bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s proposal would shift, federal, statewide, and certain judicial elections from a jungle primary to closed-party primaries. New Orleans Democrat Candace Newell says the Legislature should not rush to do this

Cut 7 (12) “…dedicate to it.”

Governor Jeff Landry wants lawmakers to pass this legislation during the current special session which ends next Tuesday.

Opponents also raised concerns that Independents will be disenfranchised because they can’t vote in the primaries. But Emerson says that’s not accurate…

Cut 8 (12) “…party.” 

Supporters of the closed primary system say it will lead to better candidates on the ballot for the general election. Emerson says voters who identify with a party should be in control of that process

Cut 9 (11)  “…nominee.”

Louisiana uses a closed-party system to nominate a President and the state had closed primaries for the 2008 and 2010 federal elections. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says voters found closed primaries confusing and demanded the state goes back to the jungle primary system…

Cut 10 (07) “…rid of it.”

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The congressional map redesign Governor Jeff Landry supports in the special session, Senate Bill 8, makes drastic changes to Congressman Garret Graves’s district and the Baton Rouge Republican is not happy about it. The proposal would make the sixth district the second Black majority district and it extends from Baton Rouge to Caddo Parish. Graves says…

Cut 11 (10) “…State of Louisiana.” 

Graves points out that the congressional map passed by a two-thirds majority in the legislature two years ago has not been through what’s called a merits trial, to determine if it violates redistricting principles or not.

Cut 12 (13) “…incredibly premature.” 

Graves also wonders why the Republican-controlled legislature would just roll over without fighting for the current map and accept the proposed map in Senate Bill 8 because it would weaken the GOP majority in the US House.

While presenting Senate Bill 8 in committee, Catahoula Parish Senator Glen Womack says the map’s boundaries assure Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who serves on US Appropriations and Agriculture committees remains unimpaired by any other congressional incumbents…

Cut 13 (06) “…this decade.”

Because of the geographical makeup of the state’s Black population, Womack says this particular map creates two Black-majority districts; District 2 represents minorities in New Orleans, and District 6, includes minorities in Baton Rouge and extends to include Blacks in Shreveport. He says this map also ensures Letlow will remain in Congress and…

Cut 14 (11) “…of Louisiana.” 

Senate Bill 8 which advanced from committee is one of several maps lawmakers are considering during the special session.

US District Judge Shelly Dick, of the Middle District of Louisiana, issued an end-of-the-month deadline for lawmakers to redraw the state’s Congressional map with two Black-majority districts.

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Louisiana Tech’s Athletic Director is heading to Ole Miss. After serving the university for three years marked by some major challenges, Dr. Eric Wood will become a Senior Deputy AD at Ole Miss. Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson says Wood will be missed

Cut 15 (11) “…in the classroom”

After tornados destroyed athletic facilities, Wood raised funds and oversaw the rebuilding of a new baseball park, and a softball and soccer complex Henderson called a marvel of innovation. Henderson says Wood supports the student in the student-athlete…

Cut 16 (10) “..proud of them” 

Dr. Wood will serve through the end of January then Deputy Athletic Director Mary Kay Hungate will serve as interim AD. Henderson says in the next few weeks, Louisiana Tech will develop a process to select the next athletic director worthy of the Bulldogs…

Cut 17 (10) “…towards that vision.” 

5:30 LRN Newscast

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a closed party primary bill supported by Governor Jeff Landry. Carencro Representative Julie Emerson’s proposal would shift, federal, statewide and certain judicial elections from a jungle primary system to a closed party primary. New Orleans Democrat Candace Newell says this is a big change and legislators should not rush this…
Cut 7 (12) “…dedicate to it”
Opponents also raised concerns that Independents will be disenfranchised because they can’t vote in the primaries. But Emerson says that’s not accurate…
Cut 8 (12) “…party.”
The proposal passed on an 11-to-4 vote and heads to the House floor.

The Saints have fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Carmichael was the offensive coordinator for the last 15 seasons and he’s been with the franchise for 18 years. After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season, change felt inevitable according to the host of the Locked On Saints podcast Ross Jackson.
Cut 4 (12) “.. offensive system”

Louisiana Tech’s Athletic Director is heading to Ole Miss. After serving the university for three years marked by some major challenges, Dr. Eric Wood will become a Senior Deputy AD at Ole Miss. Tech President Dr. Jim Henderson says Wood will be missed
Cut 15 (11) “…in the classroom”
A search for a new A-D at Tech is underway.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints long time offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael was let go today after spending 18 years with the Black and Gold. Ross Jackson, host of the Locked On Saints podcast, says that the Saints are spending most of their time looking outside of the organization for his replacement.

Cut 6 (11) “… in the NFL.”

The Saints have also let go of Senior Offensive Assistant Bob Bicknell and Wide Receivers Coach Kodi Burns.

In the 2024 NFL playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be moving on as Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes in the Buccaneers 32-9 win over the fifth seeded Eagles. One of those touchdown passes went to former Kentwood star Trey Palmer.

And in LSU baseball news, the Tigers are 4th in the opening 2024 D1 Baseball Preseason Poll. The Tigers are only behind Wake Forest, Florida, and Arkansas and are scheduled to play 19 games in the 2024 regular season against Preseason top 25 teams.

An influential factor in the Mavericks 125 to 120 win against New Orleans yesterday was the play of Dallas Center Dereck Lively II who had a big night with 12 rebounds. Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green says that most of Lively’s rebounds were during big moments and created key opportunities for the Mavs.

Cut 18 (23) “ … back out.”

The Pelicans will host the Hornets tomorrow with tipoff at 7pm.

McNeese is now in first place in the Southland conference after their 88 to 69 win over Lamar last night and with the success of this season the university is now receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in program history. Nicholls also defeated their Southland opponent, UNO, 78 to 75 last night.

 

4:30 PM Newscast Jan 16

At the special session, the first map to receive approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee is a redesign of the seven-district Louisiana Supreme Court district map. Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeal John Michael Gray spoke in favor of the map

Cut  14 (14) “..re-election”

There is also a proposal to add two more districts to the Louisiana Supreme Court map to increase voting power in the Shreveport-Bossier area.

The frigid temperatures are causing problems with some water treatment facilities and several communities across Louisiana are under boil advisories. The town of Vivian, the Village of Elizabeth, Junction community and all customers served by Beauregard Parish Waterworks District 6, Basile, and Oberlin are currently advised to boil water by bringing it to a rolling boil for a full one minute then allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes. Authorities recommend boiling water before consuming it, making ice, brushing teeth and rinsing anything that will be consumed. If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, check with water provider.

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says Because elevated roads and bridges ice over first, DOTD crews in conjunction with State Police worked throughout the day and overnight…

Cut 4 (10) “…US-51.”

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge…

Cut 9 (12) “…events yesterday.” 

 

3:30 PM Newscast Jan 16

The Special Legislative session to redraw congressional maps got underway Monday and The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved a map proposed by Pineville Representative Mike Johnson. The proposal keeps District 7 in New Orleans as a majority-Black district. District two would be the second majority-Black District stretching from Monroe through the Delta Parishes into Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle supports this redrawing…

Cut 13 (06) “…possible fix” 

 

Three Natchitoches police officers are recovering from injuries after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Lakendra Bolton who allegedly tried to steal from Super One Foods yesterday afternoon. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says one of the officers was injured when she rammed a police-vehicle head on. He says all three officers injured were transported to local hospitals.

Cut 7 (10) “…the hospital.” 

 

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even though crews began applying brine and salt to roadways Monday afternoon…

Cut 3 (12) “…our drivers.”

 

Windy and cold weather continues to grip Louisiana. Bill Jacquemin has the latest on the weather warnings…

Cut 2 (35)  “…untreated surfaces” 

2:30 PM Newscast Jan 16

At the special session, the first map to receive approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee is a redesign of the seven-district Louisiana Supreme Court district map. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson’s proposal adds a second majority-minority district, which the courts have suggested is needed…..

Cut 12 (09)  “…federal judge does”  

25 years ago was the last time Louisiana’s Supreme Court map was drawn.

Three Natchitoches police officers are recovering from injuries after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Lakendra Bolton who allegedly tried to steal from Super One Foods yesterday afternoon. Natchitoches police spokesperson John Greely says two of the officers were injured when trying to arrest her in the parking lot

Cut 6 (05) “..over them.” 

The suspect, Bolton was not injured

State Transportation crews are working to keep motorists safe after an artic cold front blanketed Louisiana with frozen perception. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge. The accident blocked a portion of the westbound lanes. And while some drivers were able to move to the next lane to avoid the accident, one vehicle traveling west…

Cut 10 (08) “..drivers vehicle.” 

1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 16

Portions of the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge are still closed after frozen rain iced the roadways. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the 18-mile bridge presents a huge challenge. He says they pretreated priority routes and try to keep the Interstates open as long as possible…

Cut 5 (11) “…Krotz Springs.” 

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge for hours Monday. Westlake Police Chief Christopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single-vehicle wreck, 37-year-old Jordon Foster of Lake Charles lost his life after he either jumped or fell off the bridge. Motorists traveling westbound began piling up and those traveling east were also trapped…

Cut 11 (06) “…a standstill.”

Both lanes have reopened.

Three Natchitoches police officers are recovering from injuries after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Lakendra Bolton who allegedly tried to steal from Super One Foods yesterday afternoon. Police spokesperson John Greely says she’s charged with several offenses including three counts of attempted first-degree murder and felony hit and run.

Cut 8 (05) “…be added.” 

Greely says Bolton injured one officer when she rammed her car head-on into a police vehicle then put her car in reverse and ran over two other officers. Their injuries range from serious to minor.

The Saints have fired longtime Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael. Carmicheal, who had been with the Black and Gold for 18 seasons was among the last remaining staff members who was part of former head coach Sean Payton’s initial staff.  Carmichael originally joined as a quarterback coach and then took over as offensive coordinator for the 2009 Super Bowl team.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Numerous roads are closed as a result of a winter storm that has iced up bridges, ramps and overpasses. Because elevated roads and bridges ice over first, DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says theircrews in conjunction with State Police worked throughout the day and overnight…
Cut 4 (10) “…US-51.”
One of the roadways shut down is the I-10 Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

State offices are closed today but state lawmakers are at the capitol working on approving a new Congressional map that would contain two majority-Black districts, instead of one. Governor Jeff Landry is also calling for legislators to approve a new Supreme Court map…
cut 16 (12) “…unbalanced.”

Windy and colder weather continues to grip Louisiana. Bill Jacquemin has the latest on the weather warnings…
cut 2 (35) “….untreated surfaces”

11:30 LRN Newscast

There are numerous road closures in the Bayou State after an arctic cold front swept across the country Monday creating hazardous conditions. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says even though crews began applying brine and salt to roadways Monday afternoon…
Cut 3 (13) “…our drivers.”
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge after a single vehicle wreck led to a massive traffic jam. Westlake Police Chief Chrstopher Wilrye says the driver involved in the single vehicle wreck lost his life after either jumped or fell off the bridge…
cut 9 (12) “…yesterday”
The man who lost his life has been identified as 37-year-old Jordan Foster.

Governor Jeff Landry opened the start of an eight-day special session urging legislators to approve a Congressional District map that adds a second majority minority district. He also wants legislation approved that will shift Louisiana’s elections from a jungle open primary to closed party primaries. He says voters that belong to a political party should have the right to choose their candidate to represent them in the General election
cut 15 (14) “….decipher”
The special session must end by January 23rd.

Three Natchitoches Police officers are recovering from injuries after trying to apprehend 25-year Lakendra Bolton who is accused of stealing from a grocery store…
cut 7 (10) “…the hospital”
Natchitoches Police spokesperson John Greely says Bolton injured the officers with her vehicle.