9:30 LRN Newscast

Isaias became the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 at 10:30 last night, breaking the old record for the latest first hurricane by 26 days. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says landfall will occur tomorrow night well east of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (08) “…on Friday evening.”

Despite that, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the coastal regions of southeast Louisiana.

The University of Louisiana System names its presidential search committee which will help the Board of Supervisors select the next president of Louisiana Tech. It includes State Representative Chris Turner, who says while the search will stretch coast to coast, he would like to see the next president to be hired from within.

Cut 8 (14) “…and our city.”

There are ten constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot — five of them deal with property taxes. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The parents of a Lafayette Parish teenager who was killed in a mass shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge back in April have sued the mall. 17-year-old Martha Odom’s parents allege that mall management was negligent in providing security, leading to the shooting that resulted in their daughter’s death.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Homeowners with fortified roofs receive discounts on their insurance, but those discounts will not last forever. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is certifying them as fortified for only 15 years. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says without the fortified certification, insurance companies would no longer offer premium discounts for fortified roofs.

Cut 23 (07) “…discount drops off.”

Temple still says a fortified roof is a great investment.

The LSU men’s basketball team will play McNeese in an exhibition game tonight, but the Tigers will only dress eight players. Coach Will Wade told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club says they are waiting on the NCAA to declare the fifth-year seniors and international players that are on the roster eligible. Wade says some of his players have former overseas teammates who have gained NCAA eligibility…

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take”

The regular season opener is November third.

 

The Louisiana Tech presidential search committee holds its first meeting today. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Isaias is now a hurricane, northwest of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and will gain strength over the next two days and make landfall late Friday-early Saturday near the Alabama-Florida state line. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says the coastal parishes of southeast Louisiana could see some rain bands…

Cut 6 (05) “….be prepared for”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Isaias is now a hurricane in the southern Gulf with maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour and the season’s first hurricane is expected to strengthen into a Category Two storm. But LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says landfall is expected well east of Louisiana…

Cut 5 (08) “….on Friday evening”

The Louisiana Tech presidential search committee holds its first meeting today.  State Representative Christopher Turner is on that panel. The plan is to select Tech’s new president on November 19th and we’ll eventually hear who is up for the job. The names of the finalists will be released. But Turner believes in future searchers, the names should remain private…

Cut 9 (12) “…in their name”

The new president will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson, who’s retiring on December 31st.

 

There are ten constitutional amendments on the November third ballot, five of the amendments deal with property taxes. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment Six would allow parishes and municipalities to increase the property tax exemption for some homeowners as they age, from 65 up to 81.

Cut 11 (11) “…in their area.”

For more analysis on the amendments go to PAR’s website.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays an exhibition game tonight at McNeese and Coach Will Wade is still waiting for the NCAA to declare several of his players eligible to play…

Cut 13 (09) “…to be eligible”

LSU’s roster has fifth-year seniors and former international pros who are still going through the NCAA eligibility process.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The second Will Wade era of LSU basketball tips off tonight as the Tigers head to McNeese for an exhibition game. Wade, though, told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday that only about eight of his players will play as others wait for eligibility rulings from the NCAA.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to be eligible.”

LSU’s roster has returning fifth-year seniors and former international pros who are still going through the NCAA eligibility process

 

The 10th ranked LSU football team is getting ready to play the four and one Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. Coach Will Stein made headlines in the offseason when he said he would be the reason Kentucky would turn its program around. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says that attitude was familiar.

Cut 19 (09) “…a great job.”

Kick off is at 6 PM.

 

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was limited in practice yesterday because of a left hand injury suffered in the loss to Atlanta. Shough told reporters it’s not a big deal. Linebacker Kaden Ellis is still not practicing because of a calf injury, but defensive end Carl Granderson was limited at practice after missing the Falcons game with an ankle injury.

 

Grambling got a big win over Alcorn State last weekend and will look to keep its momentum as it hosts undefeated Jackson State Saturday. Tigers quarterbacks Jacobe Robinson and Ashton Frye put up big numbers against the Braves, and head coach Mickey Joseph says he rotates Q-Bs like any other position.

Cut 17 (14) “…for this team.”

Kickoff in Grambling is set for 4 p.m.

6:30 LRN Newscast

It took until our first full week of October but we have our first hurricane of the 2026 season. Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) strengthened into a hurricane last night. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says Isaias will continue to get stronger…

Cut 4 (08) “…Category Two strength.”

Landfall is still expected late tomorrow night-early Saturday morning near the Florida-Alabama state line as a hurricane

Louisiana voters will have plenty to consider on the November 3rd ballot, including ten proposed constitutional amendments. Five deal with property taxes. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment One would let a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran move to another home and keep a special property tax exemption.

Cut 10 (07) “…do that once.”

Procopio says Amendment Six would allow parishes and municipalities to increase the property tax exemption for some homeowners as they age, from 65 up to 81.

 

Will Wade’s LSU basketball team tips off against McNeese in an exhibition game tonight, but don’t think that means you’ll finally get to see the full roster. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The Carroll High School football team’s season is officially over as the LHSAA Executive Committee has upheld their suspension after the school appealed. The severe punishment has been handed down because members of the Carroll football team got into a fight with fans after the game at Assumption High School in Napoleonville  on September 25th.

LRN AM Newscall October 8

The University of Louisiana system names its presidential search committee which will help select the next president of Louisiana Tech. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

There are ten constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot — five of them deal with property taxes. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

Will Wade’s LSU basketball team tips off against McNeese in an exhibition game tonight, but don’t think that means you’ll finally get to see the full roster. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________

Up until now, the 2026 hurricane season had been so slow that there was a question of whether there would be any hurricanes at all this year. Those questions were put to rest this morning as Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has strengthened to become the first Atlantic hurricane of the year. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says in fact, this storm will eventually be right on the cusp of a major hurricane.

Cut 4 (08) “…Category Two strength.”

Not only that, it will be the first hurricane in nearly two years to make landfall in the U.S. Keim says, however, that landfall will occur well east of Louisiana.

Cut 5 (08) “…on Friday evening.”

Keim says even though landfall will be too far east to have a major impact on Louisiana, the state could still see some effects from the storm.

Cut 6 (05) “…be prepared for.”

By a wide margin, this is the latest in the year in which the first Atlantic hurricane has formed. The previous record was September 11th, which occurred in 2002 and 2014. That means this year broke the previous record by a whopping 27 days.

__________________________________________

The University of Louisiana System names its presidential search committee which will help the Board of Supervisors select the next president of Louisiana Tech. The committee consists of 18 members, including Tech faculty, students and alumni; U-L Board members and members of the Ruston community. Among those on the committee is State Representative Chris Turner, who says the search will begin with an open forum meeting today.

Cut 7 (11) “…some good candidates.”

Turner says while the search will stretch coast to coast, he would like to see the next president to be hired from within, so to speak.

Cut 8 (14) “…and our city.”

In order to receive full consideration in the initial review, candidates should submit their applications by November 6th. The board expects to select Tech’s new president less than two weeks later, on November 19th, with the new president taking office January 1st. Turner says he would like to make the process more confidential.

Cut 9 (12)  “…in their name.”

The new president will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson, who’s retiring on December 31st.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana voters will have plenty to consider on the November 3rd ballot, including ten proposed constitutional amendments. Five deal with property taxes. Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says Amendment One would let a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran move to another home and keep a special property tax exemption.

Cut 10 (07) “…do that once.”

Procopio says Amendment Six would allow parishes and municipalities to increase the property tax exemption for some homeowners as they age, from 65 up to 81.

Cut 11 (11) “…in their area.”

A vote against Amendment Six would leave the current statewide exemption for homeowners 65 and older unchanged.

Procopio says Amendment Nine would raise the income limit for a property tax assessment freeze from 100-thousand to 150-thousand dollars.

Cut 12 (06) “…to pay more.”

Amendment Two would give local taxing authorities more flexibility in deciding when to set property tax rates, while Amendment Ten would allow parishes to offer tax exemptions for property that’s been rehabilitated after being blighted.

For more information on all ten amendments, check out PAR’s Guide to the Fall 2026 Constitutional Amendments on its website.

__________________________________________________

The second Will Wade era of LSU basketball tips off tonight as the Tigers head to McNeese for an exhibition game. Wade, though, told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday that only about eight of his players will play as others wait for eligibility rulings from the NCAA.

Cut 13 (09)  “…to be eligible.”

LSU’s roster has returning fifth-year seniors and former international pros who are still going through the NCAA eligibility process. Wade says some of his players have former overseas teammates who have gained NCAA eligibility already.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to take.”

All the proceeds from the trip to Lake Charles will go to the McNeese basketball program. Wade says he owes everything he has to the people of Lake Charles for sticking their necks out and saving his career by hiring him after he was fired by LSU.

Cut 15 (11) “…for their program.”

Tip-off is set for 6:30.

__________________________________________________

Southern is still searching for its first SWAC win under head coach Marshall Faulk. The Jaguars will have another tough conference game with a trip to defending champs Prairie View A&M Saturday. Faulk says his offense will need to be ready for a tough Panther defense.

Cut 16 (12) “…how they play.”

Kickoff was moved back an hour to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on HBCU Go.

__________________________________________________

Grambling got a big win over Alcorn State last weekend and will look to keep its momentum as it hosts undefeated Jackson State Saturday. Tigers quarterbacks Jacobe Robinson and Ashton Frye put up big numbers against the Braves, and head coach Mickey Joseph says he rotates Q-Bs like any other position.

Cut 17 (14) “…for this team.”

Kickoff in Grambling is set for 4 p.m.

__________________________________________________

LSU will take on a familiar face when it heads to Kentucky this weekend. Kentucky’s offense is led by coordinator Joe Sloan, who was fired from LSU last season. Wildcats head coach Will Stein says he and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker have familiarity coaching against one another, but…

Cut 18 (15)  “…what it is”

Kentucky is off to a 4-and-1 start under the first-year head coach. Stein made headlines in the offseason when he said he would be the reason Kentucky would turn its program around. LSU coach Lane Kiffin says that attitude was familiar.

Cut 19 (09) “…a great job.”

Another thing LSU fans may know a thing or two about — Kentucky has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this season. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers ran for 147 yards against the Wildcats last week, and Stein says his defense needs to improve with Sam Leavitt coming to town.

Cut 20 (19) “…on third down.”

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

Based on its current projected path, Louisiana could see minimal effects from Tropical Storm Isaias. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The LHSAA executive committee upholds the cancellation of the remainder of Carroll High School’s football season. The LHSAA pulled the plug on the season of the school in the City of Monroe last month following a post-game fight involving some of its football players and students at Assumption High School.

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is expected to make a significant change – only certifying fortified roofs as such for 15 years. That means after 15 years, those fortified roofs would no longer qualify for property insurance premium discounts.  Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says despite the likely change, getting a fortified roof is still a great investment.

Cut 5 (12) “…an insurance discount.”

State Police detectives have arrested the owner and an employee of a Ville Platte tobacco shop as part of an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old boy. Sergeant Peggy Bourque says they’re not releasing the exact name of the drug that Tobacco Tavern allegedly sold to Taylon Hebert or the over-the-counter herbal supplemental pills seized during a search warrant.

Cut 7 (07) “..this time.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU faces Kentucky on the road this weekend. The Tigers have not won in Lexington since the Bluegrass Miracle in 2002. It will be LSU’s second away game of the season, and quarterback Sam Leavitt says the team has learned from the mistakes it made at Ole Miss.

Cut 17 (17) “…great job communicating.”

The Saints will look to rebound from a disappointing Monday night loss to the Falcons against the undefeated Vikings this weekend. Quarterback Tyler Shough says part of being a leader is being able to move on from losses.

Cut 22 (11) “…focus on.”

The LSU men’s basketball team tips off the preseason with an exhibition at McNeese tomorrow. It will be coach Will Wade’s first game leading the Tigers since he was fired in 2022. He told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club two major things have changed since then.

Cut 20 (13) “…with N-I-L.”

Wade said only eight players on his 15-man roster will play the Cowboys as former international pros and fifth-year seniors await eligibility rulings, but he is confident most if not all of them will be eligible when the regular season starts.

The LSU men’s and women’s basketball TV schedules were announced. The women’s team will have 17 nationally televised games, including non-conference games against UNC and UConn and 11 SEC matchups. The Tigers’ home game against Vanderbilt and trip to South Carolina will be on ABC. Most of the men’s team’s SEC schedule will be on SEC Network, and so will its November 22 game against UL Lafayette.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Isaias in the Gulf continues to strengthen and the official projected landfall has moved a little bit to the east again as the Florida panhandle could receive the brunt of the storm. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says the storm will move through Alabama on Saturday, but here in Louisiana it will be a nice October day…

Cut 11 (14) “…rain even”

Isaias is expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow morning.

State Police detectives have arrested the owner and an employee of the Tobacco Tavern in Ville Platte as part of an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old boy in Turkey Creek. Sergeant Peggy Bourque says the day before Taylon Hebert’s death, he purchased over the counter herbal supplement pills from the Tobacco Tavern, which contained a Schedule One Controlled Dangerous Substance…

Cut 6 (10) “…same location.”

The two men arrested are from New Iberia.

 

If you have a fortified roof, your insurance premium discount might not last forever….

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years, according to an economic forecast. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

It looks like Louisiana is going to escape any significant impacts from what will soon be Hurricane Isaias. The National Hurricane Center’s official forecast track continues to shift farther to the east, pinning landfall near the Alabama-Florida state line. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says the steering currents are pushing the storm away from Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…the east.”

A teacher and coach in Ponchatoula is arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a student. According to jail records, 30-year-old Trey Sparks is charged with one count of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and a student. He’s also charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, depicting victims under 13 years old. Sparks teaches at DC Reeves Elementary School and coaches at Ponchatoula Junior High School. We do not know which of those schools, if either one, the victim attends.

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is expected to make a significant change, certifying roofs as fortified for only 15 years. That means after 15 years, those with fortified roofs would stand to lose their insurance premium discounts. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that does not mean that fortified roofs older than 15 years are ineffective.

Cut 4 (12) “…discount going on.”

The owner and an employee of a Ville Platte tobacco shop are arrested in connection with the death of a 17-year-old boy who purchased herbal supplement pills from there. State Police Sergeant Peggy Bourque says 34-year-old Musa Saleh Salem, who owns Tobacco Tavern, and 29-year-old Ghaleb Mohammed Mousa are charged with Distribution of a Schedule One Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Cut 8 (08) “…Evangeline Parish jail.”