3:30 LRN Newscast

One of the two suspects in a Lake Charles murder over the weekend has been captured. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22-year-old Larry Bigelow was taken into custody in Beaumont, Texas. 22-year-old Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh) remains on the loose. They’re both charged with shooting and killing 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles late Sunday night.

Texas State is leaving Sun Belt for the PAC-12 next year. Louisiana Tech is a hopeful replacement, but the sun might be setting on the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says you can get your tickets now.

Cut 3 (08) “…limited number.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on a challenge to Louisiana’s congressional map. Seabaugh says the newly-drawn sixth district has already been ruled unconstitutional and lines should be redrawn before the next election; but only Governor Landry can call lawmakers back to address the issue, and that’s not going to happen.

Cut 11 (06) “…uphold that deal.”

The state has argued that the map, with two majority Black districts, should remain as is. The new map flipped one of Louisiana’s six seats from Republican to Democrat last year.

LRN PM Newscall July 2

Book your tickets for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama, now. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Texas State announced they’ll be moving on from the Sun Belt for the PAC-12 next year. Louisiana Tech is a hopeful replacement, but the sun might be setting on the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says you can get your tickets now.

Cut 3 (08) “…limited number.”

Offering twice-daily scenic trips along the Gulf Coast, it connects to major Amtrak routes like the City of New Orleans. Ross says the service will bring convenience that one stop a day doesn’t have.

Cut 4 (08) “…and tourism.”

Restoring service lost since Hurricane Katrina, it boosts tourism, jobs, and regional mobility while celebrating Gulf Coast culture. Ross says the service reflects significant infrastructure investment, improving connectivity and economic growth.

Cut 5 (12) “…trying to do.”

________________________________________________

Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026 after approving the five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week. Louisiana Tech was rumored to be the apparent replacement, but Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast says the conference’s non-Louisiana schools feel the Sun Belt would be over saturated by the Bayou state.

Cut 6 (09) “…two weeks ago.”

While U-L Lafayette and ULM are pushing the Bulldogs due to their historic rivalries and quick commutes, others argue Tech won’t add new TV markets for the conference. Schultz says the Sun Belt has reached out to East Carolina who responded with a wait-and-see.

Cut 7 (09) “…of the A-A-C.”

Schultz says if the Sun Belt wanted Louisiana Tech, there would have been a quick announcement. The conference has been surprisingly slow on the issue and Schultz expects there won’t be an answer by Sun Belt Media Days July 22. He hopes this is because they’re taking the time to consider expansion to 16 teams.

Cut 8 (09) “…and E-C-U.”

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Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on Louisiana versus Callais, a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for a ruling.”

Last Friday, the Court opted for re-argument, leaving the map in place for now. Seabaugh, a vocal critic of the redistricting, argued it prioritizes race over equal representation, violating the 14th Amendment.

Cut 10 (11) “…what happened.”

Seabaugh says the district has already been ruled unconstitutional and lines should be redrawn before the next election; but only Governor Landry can call lawmakers back to address the issue, and that’s not going to happen.

Cut 11 (06) “…uphold that deal.”

2:30 LRN Newscast

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama,  Restoring service lost since Hurricane Katrina, it boosts tourism, jobs, and regional mobility while celebrating Gulf Coast culture. Ross says the service reflects significant infrastructure investment, improving connectivity and economic growth.

Cut 5 (12) “…trying to do.”

After a five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week, Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026. UL-Lafayette and ULM are pushing for La Tech to fill the gap.  Host of the Locked on Sun Belt Podcast, Dave Schultz, says if the Sun Belt wanted the Bullgods, there would have been a quick announcement. The conference has been surprisingly slow on the issue, and Schultz expects there won’t be an answer by Sun Belt Media Days July 22. He hopes this is because they’re taking the time to consider expansion to 16 teams.

Cut 8 (09) “…and E-C-U.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts. Last Friday, the Court opted for re-argument, leaving the map in place for now. Seabaugh, a vocal critic of the redistricting, argued it prioritizes race over equal representation, violating the 14th Amendment.

Cut 10 (11) “…what happened.”

Authorities in Lake Charles are looking for two men who they say shot and killed a man over the weekend. 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles was found dead along U.S. 90 late Sunday night. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says the suspects are Larry Bigelow and Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh), both of Lake Charles. Sheriff Guillory says the shooting was the result of an argument that Stevens had with the two suspects. He says both are convicted felons.

Cut 13 (10)  “…with a firearm.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin on August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.  Offering twice-daily scenic trips along the Gulf Coast, it connects to major Amtrak routes like the City of New Orleans. Southern rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the service will bring convenience that one stop a day doesn’t have.

Cut 4 (08) “…and tourism.”

Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026 after approving the five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week. While U-L Lafayette and ULM are pushing the Bulldogs due to their historic rivalries and quick commutes, others argue Tech won’t add new TV markets for the conferenceDave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast saysthe Sun Belt has reached out to East Carolina who responded with a wait-and-see.

Cut 7 (09) “…of the A-A-C.”

Shreveport Senator Alan Seabaugh expressed frustration over the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to delay ruling on Louisiana v. Callais, a case challenging the state’s new congressional map with two majority-Black districts.

Cut 9 (08)  “…for a ruling.”

Authorities in Lake Charles are looking for two men who they say shot and killed a man over the weekend. 23-year-old Kalin (KAY-lin) Stevens of Lake Charles was found dead along U.S. 90 late Sunday night. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory says the suspects are Larry Bigelow and Titus Tezeno (TEZ-eh-noh), both of Lake Charles.

Cut 12 (08) “…1.5-million apiece.”

12:30 PM LRN Newscast

New Orleans-based Delta Utilities has completed its purchase of Entergy’s natural gas business. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche (poe-SHAY) says for those customers, the transition from Entergy will be seamless. The main difference they’ll see is getting two separate bills instead of one.

Cut 11 (09) “…will continue seamlessly.”

Texas State is officially set to leave the Sun Belt for the revamped PAC-12 in 2026 after approving the five-million-dollar buyout earlier this week. Louisiana Tech was rumored to be the apparent replacement, but Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast says the conference’s non-Louisiana schools feel the Sun Belt would be over saturated by the Bayou state.

Cut 6 (09) “…two weeks ago.”

You can now book your tickets for Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU will kick off the football season at Clemson August 30. WWL’s Mike Detillier previewed the matchup with Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, who was at the Manning Passing Academy this past weekend. The junior signal caller is looking forward to welcoming the Tigers to Memorial Stadium.

Cut 18 (15)  “…like Garrett.”

LSU Linebacker Whit Weeks was named a Walter Camp second-team preseason All-American. The junior finished second in the SEC in tackles last year as the anchor of the Tigers defense.

Southern University outfielder Cardell Thibodaux announced he’d be entering the transfer portal yesterday. The junior had a monster 2025 campaign where he batted .435 with 18 homers and 71 RBI and was named the SWAC player of the year.

Detillier also spoke to LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier about the Tigers‘ improved roster. Nussmeier highlighted five-star freshman cornerback DJ Pickett. The 6-foot-4 Florida product was ranked as the No. 1 overall corner in the 2025 class by On3 and Rivals and second by ESPN and 247Sports. Nussmeier says Pickett is next in the line of great LSU corners.

Cut 17 (12)  “…elite cornerback”

Texas State is officially PAC-12 bound and will be leaving the Sun Belt next season. The conference’s Louisiana schools have been pushing for Louisiana Tech to join the Sun Belt West, but other schools are looking to expand the conference’s media footprint. Host of the Locked On Sun Belt Podcast Dave Schultz says the league has already reached out to East Carolina.

Cut 7 (09) “…of the A-A-C.”

11:30 AM LRN Newscast

The sale of Entergy’s natural gas business to New Orleans based Delta Utilities is complete. Delta CEO, Tim Poche says the transition was seamless.

Cut 12 (13) “…that same service.”

If your Entergy service included natural gas, you will now receive a separate bill for it from Delta.

The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. He had gone into cardiac arrest in June and never regained consciousness. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries spokeswoman Megan Kelly says his family is grieving but in good spirits.

Cut 7 (09) “…good peace.”

The Senate passed the Big Beautiful Bill, but it’s not headed to President Trump’s desk just yet. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A text message blast from CVS is the focus of one of three lawsuits Attorney General Liz Murrill files against the pharmacy chain last month. She alleges that CVS used private patient information to send out a political message Liz Murrill. She says she herself received the text and it targeted seniors, veterans and people with serious health issues.

Cut 14 (07) “…to scare people.”

The subject of the text was a bill in the legislature that would have banned pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Amtrak announces that its Mardi Gras Service will begin August 18. It revives passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says you can get your tickets now.

Cut 3 (08) “…limited number.”

The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. He had gone into cardiac arrest last month and never regained consciousness. Megan Kelly with Jimmy Swaggart Ministries says his family is grieving but in good spirits.

Cut 7 (09) “…good peace.”

The public viewing and wake will be held Saturday, July 12th, from 11 to two; and the celebration of life service is Sunday, July 13th, at six p-m.

Entergy’s natural gas customers will now be making payments to a new company. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 23 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

One school board is considering reinstating corporal punishment for the upcoming school year. The Rapides Parish School Board took up the issue at its meeting last night, with Board Member Linda Burgess saying she received calls from parents requesting that it be brought back. Surveys are being sent to principals at all district campuses to get their thoughts. The board will be taking up the issue again at a meeting later this month.

9:30 AM Newscast

The Big, Beautiful Bill is headed to the House after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says passing the bill as-is in the House is far from a slam-dunk.

Cut 6 (16) “…to accept it.”

If the House makes any changes, it would then have to go back to the Senate.

Beginning next month, you’ll want to keep your hands and eyes off your cell phone at all times while you’re driving.  The new law means no texting, social media, or shopping, and you can only talk on your phone hands free. State lawmakers approved the bill since distracted driving has led to more fatalities and severe injuries.  The fine will be $100 or $250 in school or construction zones.  But officials say it’s not really about fines, but educating drivers and keeping the roads safe.

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The Christian world is mourning the passing of Jimmy Swaggart, who died yesterday at the age of 90. Swaggart began his ministry in 1973, televising and broadcasting the gospel to the world. After a prostitution scandal in 1988, Swaggart Ministries Spokesperson Megan Kelly says he got on his knees and asked God for forgiveness and to change his life.

Cut 9 (11)  “…is just tremendous.”

The public viewing and wake will be held Saturday, July 12th.  A celebration of life service will be Sunday, July 13th.

New Orleans-based Delta Utilities has completed its purchase of Entergy’s natural gas business. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche (poe-SHAY) says for those customers, the transition from Entergy will be seamless. The main difference they’ll see is getting two separate bills instead of one.

Cut 11 (09) “…will continue seamlessly.”

8:30 AM Newscast

New Orleans-based Delta Utilities has completed its purchase of Entergy’s natural gas business, adding more than 200-thousand customers in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche (poe-SHAY) says for those customers, the transition from Entergy will be seamless.

Cut 10 (06) “…will continue unaffected.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says CVS was being deceptive when sending text messages opposing legislation that would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies.  It its text blast, CVS said if the bill were to pass, it would have to close all of its pharmacies in Louisiana. The AG has filed three lawsuits against the company.

Cut 15 (10) “…out of business.”

CVS has previously issued a statement denying all allegations.

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People are looking back at the life and ministry of the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Big, Beautiful Bill now heads to the House after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.  One of the most contentious issues was the cuts to Medicaid and how many people would lose coverage as a result. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan

Cut 5 (08) “…ultimately receive it.”