1:30 PM LRN Newscast

Prominent Louisiana televangelist, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart has died at age of 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest last month at his Baton Rouge home. Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster says Swaggart was a kind, Christian man.

Cut 3 (12) “…after his death.”

He leaves behind his wife, Frances, and son, Donnie, who continue his ministry through SonLife Broadcasting.

A federal judge has granted Serve Louisiana a preliminary injunction reinstating the AmeriCorps grant that had been abruptly canceled as part of a nationwide termination effort earlier this year at the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  Serve Louisiana Program Director Maggie Connaro (Connor-roe) says the ruling allows members to complete the 11-month service terms.

Cut 10 (09) “…end of the month.”

The board that investigates ethics violations by public officials has new rules to abide by. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is launching a campaign this Fourth of July week to help veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. As part of the effort, the Office of the Surgeon General has released a TV public service announcement to reach veterans across the state. Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham says PTSD is serious.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to help them.”

Dr. Abraham urges any veteran experiencing PTSD to call the Louisiana 988 Helpline and press 1 or text 838255

12:30 LRN Newscast

The board that investigates alleged ethics violations against public officials has new restrictions to abide by. That’s due to a new law as a result of the passage of House Bill 674 by New Iberia Republican Beau Beaullieu (BOW-lee-ay), who says officials have complained for years about the egregious nature of ethics investigations – especially during campaign season. 

Cut 6 (07) “…in a campaign.”

The bill sailed through both houses of legislature, with only two Republican senators voting against it. However, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has expressed criticism. PAR President Steven Procopio says among his concerns is a provision that the board of ethics has to determine that the investigation is not too expensive, either for the board or for the person it’s investigating.

Cut 8 (06) “…you were investigating.”

However, Procopio says the legislature did address PAR’s biggest concerns by the time the bill got to Governor Landry’s desk.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart passed away at 90 years old after suffering a cardiac arrest last month at his home in Baton Rouge. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Revenue sharing in college athletics begins today. The NCAA will police the 20.5-million-dollar revenue sharing cap limit with the new College Sports Commission. NIL deals over 600 dollars will also be reviewed by the NIL Go board to determine whether they serve a valid business purpose and fall within a reasonable range of compensation. LSU has been outspent by its competitors so far in the NIL era; but with the shift away from collective-based bargaining, Wilson Alexander of the Advocate says officials believe the Tigers can offer just as much as other schools.

Cut 12 (13) “…programs these days.”

LSU spent 5.5-million dollars out of its Bayou Collective on the football roster last year, compared to Ole Miss’s over 10-million-dollar investment and Ohio State’s near 20-million-dollar payout.

Baseball America predicted LSU lefty Kade Anderson to go first overall in their most recent MLB mock draft. Anderson led division one in strikeouts this season and projects to be one of the surest prospects in this year’s class. Round one of the draft is set for July 13.

The Pelicans agreed to a two-year 16-million-dollar deal with 29-year-old center Kevon Looney. The 6-foot-9 vet averaged 4-and-a-half points and six boards a game last season mostly off the bench and will bring experience to a frontcourt featuring second-year center Yves Missi and rookie Derik Queen. The Team also announced yesterday a multi-year contract extension with TV announcers Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels.

Conference USA officially welcomed new members Delaware and Missouri State today. The 11th and 12th members of the league will make the jump from FCS to FBS this season.

The Saints announced their training camp schedule kicking off July 23 in Metairie. There will be nine open practices this season. Tickets are free and reservations opened this morning at neworleanssaints.com/trainingcamp

11:30 LRN Newscast

Protestors will gather in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans this evening to demand a stop to the ICE raids across the country. It’s the culmination of a tour of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana that the group dubbed “detention alley.” Siti Pulcheon, whose mother is an immigrant, says she could see the anguish in the faces of the people being held.

Cut 6 (11) “…here or elsewhere”

Governor Landry signed a series of bills yesterday aimed at reforming DOTD. During a bill signing ceremony, Landry said the reforms aim to make DOTD more effective and accountable, restoring public trust and maximizing taxpayer value.

Cut 9 (12)  “…for the people.”

A new era of college athletics has arrived. Schools can now pay athletes directly, thanks to revenue sharing in the NCAA. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

President Trump nominates Jefferson Parish Attorney David Courcelle for U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He would oversee federal prosecutions over a 13-parish region, which would include New Orleans. His nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Civil rights activists and faith leaders will come together in downtown New Orleans this evening to demand a stop to ICE raids and the release of immigrant workers who have not committed any crimes. Siti Pulcheon (SEE-tee PUHL-shin), a child of an immigrant mother, says what’s going on is inhumane.

Cut 4 (11) “…in horrible conditions.”

The rally at Lafayette Square starts at 5:30.

Governor Landry signs a series of bills yesterday in a ceremony at the Capitol to reform DOTD. Among them is one that creates a pair of offices. The Office of Project Delivery will ensure the timely completion of DOTD projects, and the Office of Transformation, led by the deputy secretary, will set performance indicators to enhance efficiency.

Cut 8 (08) “…over the horizon.”

This is the time of year that West Nile Virus starts to ramp up, and Dr. Alma Roy, the director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab, says this year could be a busy one.

Cut 13 (09)  “…season this year.”

It’s a new day in collegiate athletics; as starting today, revenue sharing launches across the country. Schools can now pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletics revenue directly to athletes. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says revenue sharing will leave LSU’s athletics department eight-million dollars in the hole this year; but through additional revenue streams, they hope to balance the budget by 2027.

Cut 11 (12) “…dollars a year.”

9:30 AM Newscast

College athletics are changing beginning today asrevenue sharing launches across the nation. That means schools can now pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletics revenue directly to athletes.  LSU has been outspent by its competitors so far in the NIL era; but with the shift away from collective-based bargaining, The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says officials believe the Tigers can offer just as much as other schools.

Cut 12 (13) “…programs these days.”

It’s summertime and in Louisiana, that means mosquitoes.  West Nile Virus has already been detected in 14 parishes, with Livingston Parish reporting the state’s first human case last month. But West Nile isn’t the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.  Director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab Dr. Alma Roy says while St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis are not as common as West Nile Virus, they are both just as dangerous.

Cut 15 (11) “…people very ill.”

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Protestors are set to stage another rally at Lafayette Square in New Orleans this evening over the immigration raids that have increased across the country.  They’re demanding the release of immigrant workers they say have committed no crimes.  Yesterday, the group held demonstrations outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena. Siti Pulcheon, a child of an immigrant mother, says the conditions inside those facilities are deplorable.

Cut 5 (11) “…solitary confinement.”

Today’s rally is set for 5:30 this evening.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Liz Murril yesterday announced that her office has officially filed charges Simple Escape charges against the 10 escapees from the Orleans Parish Justice Center.  The AG says each escapee will now face additional charges for their role in the escape in addition to the charges they were already facing.

8:30 AM Newscast

 

A new era of college athletics has arrived. Schools can now pay athletes directly, thanks to revenue sharing in the NCAA. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Several new laws go into effect in Louisiana today, affecting everything from voting, education, and insurance.  The new distracted driving legislation will require drivers to put their phones down to help bring auto rate insurance rates down. And police will now have the authority to take down drones if they witness one operating in a suspicious manner.

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With immigration raids ramping up across the country, so are demonstrations against them. Activists are set to hold another rally at Lafayette Square tonight in New Orleans.  Yesterday, the group rallied outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena.  Siti Pulshin, a child of an immigrant mother, during the rally, you could see the anguish in the faces of the people being held in the detention facilities.

Cut 6 (11) “…here or elsewhere”

This evening’s Lafayette Square rally starts at 5:30.

This is the time of year we usually start seeing more of the  West Nile Virus.   So far this year, West Nile Virus has been detected in 14 parishes, with Livingston Parish reporting the state’s first human case last month.  But Dr. Alma Roy, the director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab, says West Nile isn’t the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.

Cut 14 (15) “…eastern equine encephalitis.”

 

7:30 AM Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry signs a series of bills reform bills for Louisiana Transportation and Development.  Here’s Sean Richardson.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Attorney General Liz Murril yesterday announced that her office has officially filed charges Simple Escape charges against the 10 escapees from the Orleans Parish Justice Center.  The AG says each escapee will now face additional charges for their role in the escape in addition to the charges they were already facing.

———————————–

Protestors are set to stage another rally at Lafayette Square in New Orleans this evening over the immigration raids that have increased across the country.  They’re demanding the release of immigrant workers they say have committed no crimes.  Yesterday, the group held demonstrations outside ICE processing centers in Basile and Jena. Siti Pulcheon, a child of an immigrant mother, says the conditions inside those facilities are deplorable.

Cut 5 (11) “…solitary confinement.”

This is the time of year that West Nile Virus starts to ramp up, and Dr. Alma Roy, the director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab, says this year could be a busy one.

Cut 13 (09)  “…season this year.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

A new era of college athletics has begun. Revenue sharing launches across the nation today allowing schools to pay up to $20.5 million of athletics revenue directly to athletes. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says LSU will spend around 75% of that on football. 15 will go to men’s basketball, and 5 to women’s basketball. That leaves a small percentage for some of LSU’s marquee sports like baseball, gymnastics, and track and field, but Alexander says officials plan on paying every sport and finding other NIL opportunities…

Cut 10 (12) “…an athlete.”

Alexander says making sure every sport gets a payday may not be the norm across the country.

LSU’s leading punter Peyton Todd will be transferring to ULM for his final season. Middle Tennessee transfer Grant Chadwich is expected to pick up his duties.

LSU baseball had its most significant transfer portal loss so far yesterday. Sophomore outfielder Ashton Larson entered the portal after batting .256 in reserves this season. Coach Jay Johnson had previously identified Larson as one of the foundational core members he was excited to return next year, especially with center fielder Chris Stanfield likely to depart in the draft.

Texas State is set to officially join the PAC-12 in 2026 after its board approved the $5 million buyout from the Sun Belt. Reports have conflicted on whether Louisiana Tech could be the team to replace the Bobcats. ESPN identified Tech as a top candidate before Dave Schultz of the Locked On Sun Belt podcast reported the school was being blocked due to Louisiana-saturation in the conference.

The Pelicans have agreed to a two-year $16 million deal with center Kevon Looney. The 29-year old is a three-time NBA champ after ten seasons with the Warriors.

The Saints announced training camp will kickoff July 23 with nine practices open to the public throughout the summer. Tickets to open practices are free, but capacity is limited. Reservations for season ticket holders opens today at 9 a.m. and to the general public at 10:00

6:30 AM Newscast

A rally will be held in downtown New Orleans this evening to call attention to immigration crackdowns that’s happening across the country, including in Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry signed a series of bills to reform Louisiana’s Department of Transportation and Development yesterday. HB 640 established the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction to manage five-thousand miles of non-federal aid roads, aiming to improve project delivery.

Cut 7 (10) “…the private sector.”

_________________________

A new era of college athletics begins, as revenue sharing launches across the nation today. Schools can now pay up to 20.5-million dollars of athletics revenue directly to athletes. The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander says LSU will spend around 75-percent of that on football…but Alexander says officials plan on paying every sport and finding other NIL opportunities.

Cut 10 (12) “…an athlete.”

Summertime in Louisiana means mosquitoes.  West Nile Virus has already been detected in 14 parishes, but it’s not the only virus mosquitos can transmit to humans.  Director of LSU’s Vector-Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab Dr. Alma Roy says St. Louis and eastern equine encephalitis are not as common as West Nile Virus, they’re both just as dangerous.

Cut 15 (11) “…people very ill.”