4:45 LRN Sportscast

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.”

The 2007 national champion is facing two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated and driving with a suspended license.

LSU has two Walter Camp Preseason All-Americans. Tight end Trey’Dez Green was named to the first team while offensive tackle Jordan Seaton earned second-team honors.

Rivals Summer Signing Day is tomorrow, and several top recruits will announce their commitments. The Tigers are finalists for a trio of four-stars: Ruston High safety Jayden Anding, Texas cornerback Brandon Sherrard and Tennessee athlete Tae Walden Jr.

Louisiana Tech makes its official move to the Sun Belt tomorrow after months of negotiations and legal battles. After years of weeknight Conference USA matchups, the Bulldogs will host six Saturday football games for the first time since 2017 this season. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says visiting fans will have a major impact on the community.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

The Bulldogs host rivals ULL October 10 and Southern Miss November 14. They’ll visit ULM October 17.

Former Diamond Dogs infielder Casey McCoy announced he’d be transferring to Georgia. The Dutchtown High product started 51 games as a true freshman, averaging .281 at the plate with 28 RBIS and five homers.

North Caddo High School alum Robert Williams signed a three-year, 44-million-dollar extension with the Trailblazers. The center is entering his ninth NBA and fourth in Portland.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in the closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate races. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor.

Cut 6 (06) “…understand it.”

Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Landry that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says this law is also intended to lower auto insurance rates. 

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Investigators say 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving 58 miles an hour in a 30-mile-an-hour zone when he ran a red light and killed a 94-year-old man and his 69-year-old daughter in law. Corporal Sondra Watts says evidence shows that Murphy was not sober at the time.

Cut 13 (10) “…driving while intoxicated.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

3:30 LRN Newscast

A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Former LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet was sentenced to 27 months in a minimum-security federal facility. In March, he pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme. He will also have to pay a 40-thousand-dollar fine.

A new law signed by Governor Landry means motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded, the same consequences faced by Louisiana vehicles without insurance. Author of the Act, Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says it will help lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13) “…for Louisiana drivers.”

Louisiana Tech becomes an official member of the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow. The LA Tech football team traveled nearly 8,000 miles last season, but Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says, with the Sun Belt’s regionality, those days are over.

Cut 10 (09) “…or wherever.”

The Bulldogs will join the Sun Belt West division with in-state rivals UL Lafayette and ULM, as well as nearby neighbors Arkansas State and Southern Miss.

LRN PM Newscall June 30

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt tomorrow, and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is just as excited as the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Landry that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says the issue of uninsured vehicles continues to be a problem in Louisiana, and it’s not just vehicles registered to in-state drivers.

Cut 4 (13) “…their states require.”

Firment says this law is also intended to lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 5 (13) “…for Louisiana drivers.”

________________________________________

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in Saturday’s closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate race. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor…

Cut 6 (06) “…understand it.”

More than 512-thousand people voted in the Republican and Democratic Senate Primaries runoff elections on Saturday. Political consultant and pollster Greg Rigamer says historically Louisiana will have at least one-million people vote in the mid-term elections and it will be interesting to see if the state can achieve that number in November with all of the bickering between the two national parties…

Cut 7 (12) “..locally.”

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat has been around Louisiana politics for decades and the low voter turnout number on Saturday is concerning…

Cut 8 (08) “…pathetically low.”

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Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as part of the Weekday CUSA TV deal. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

13 of the 16 schools in C-USA when Tech joined in 2013 have already departed, including three the Bulldogs now join in the Sun Belt. The LA Tech football team traveled nearly 8,000 miles last season, but Walker says that, with the Sun Belt’s regionality, those days are over.

Cut 10 (09) “…or wherever.” 

Tech joins the Sun Belt West division with historic rivals ULM, UL Lafayette and Southern Miss. LA Tech Athletic Director Ryan Ivey said the school has already seen a 150-thousand-dollar increase in season ticket sales year-to-date, and Walker expects the city to feel a similar effect.

Cut 11 (10) “…with the move.”

______________________________________________________

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver and his daughter-in-law, 69-year-old Carla Tarver.

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.” 

Corporal Watts says while it’s unknown exactly why Murphy was driving so fast on that downtown street, evidence shows that he was not sober at the time.

Cut 13 (10) “…driving while intoxicated.”

Watts says Murphy, who played in five games at running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012 following his career at LSU, is facing several charges, including driving with a suspended license (and also driving while intoxicated, two counts of vehicular homicide and reckless operation of a vehicle).

Cut 14 (08) “…degree vehicular injuring.”

The Rayville native played at LSU from 2007 until 2010. His best season with LSU was his first season, during which he gained 304 all-purpose yards — 230 rushing and 74 receiving — and scored two rushing touchdowns in helping the Tigers win the national championship.

2:30 LRN Newscast

A former LSU running back is arrested for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Sondra Watts says 39-year-old Richard Murphy was driving recklessly back on June 14th when he ran a red light and killed 94-year-old Robert Tarver and his daughter-in-law, 69-year-old Carla Tarver.

Cut 12 (10) “…miles per hour.” 

The Rayville native played at LSU from 2007 until 2010.

More than 512-thousand people voted in the Republican and Democratic Senate runoff elections. While that may seem like a big number, that only represents 17-percent of all registered voters in Louisiana. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat has been around Louisiana politics for decades and the low voter turnout number is concerning.

Cut 8 (08) “…pathetically low.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt tomorrow, and Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is just as excited as the Bulldogs. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The residents spoke, and the company backed down. After months of pushback from residents, Air Products abandons plans for a carbon capture facility in Ascension Parish. The facility would have stored carbon dioxide underground in order to eliminate emissions.

1:30 LRN Newscast

A former LSU running back is arrested on vehicular homicide charges for allegedly causing a crash that killed two people earlier this month….

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A federal judge has sentenced former Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet to 27 months in prison for his role in a kickback scheme that led to his resignation in 2023. Before he was sentenced, an emotional Montoucet told the court that the crime he committed is the biggest regret of his life.

 

Voter turnout for Saturday’s U-S party primary run-offs was just 17-percent. More than 512-thousand people voted in Saturday’s election. Political consultant Greg Rigamer says historically Louisiana will have at least one-million people vote in the mid-term elections and he says it will be interesting to see if the state can achieve that number in November with all of the bickering between the two national parties…

Cut 7 (12) “..locally.”

Louisiana Tech fans are excited about the school’s move to the Sun Belt Conference, which officially happens tomorrow. Athletic Director Ryan Ivey said the school has already seen a 150-thousand-dollar increase in season ticket sales year-to-date, and Ruston Mayor Ronnie Walker expects the city to feel a similar effect.

Cut 11 (10) “…with the move.”

Tech will join the Sun Belt West division with historic rivals ULM, UL Lafayette and Southern Miss.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Out-of-state vehicles without insurance now face the same consequences as Louisiana uninsured vehicles, thanks to a new law that went into effect earlier this month. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861 and says uninsured vehicles is a problem in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…their states require.”

Louisiana Tech officially joins the Sun Belt Conference tomorrow after 13 years in Conference USA. Many of the Bulldogs’ conference football games the past three seasons have been on Tuesday and Thursday nights as part of the Weekday CUSA TV deal. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says the city is thrilled to welcome fans for six Saturday home football games.

Cut 9 (12)  “…part of it.”

Nearly 180-thousand people voted for Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U.S. Senate Republican Party primary runoff, while 156-thousand people nominated Tensas Parish farmer Jamie Davis in the Democratic Party primary runoff. Davis believes he can make it a competitive election on November 3rd, but ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t give Davis much of a chance.

Cut 26 (11) “…on past performance.”

The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model could decrease the number of available scholarships for high schoolers thanks to its guaranteed five years of eligibility. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU women’s basketball stars Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese had their first professional meeting this weekend. Johnson’s Seattle Storm got the better of Reese’s Atlanta Dream in a 105-90 home win for Seattle. Johnson led the Storm with 24 points and 11 rebounds while Reese tallied 17 points and nine boards of her own.

The NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility model could take away scholarships from some high schoolers by backlogging college athletics with fifth-year players. While it likely won’t affect the nation’s top recruits, low-star and zero-star prospects may lose their spots on top programs to older athletes as a result. Lincoln Parish Journal Publisher Malcolm Butler says modern coaches value collegiate experience and immediate impact over player development.

Cut 14 (11) “…going to lean.” 

The Pelicans welcomed second-round draft pick Jaron Pierre yesterday. The New Orleans native is a 6-6 guard who averaged 17 points a game at SMU this season. He was also the Conference USA Player of the Year in 2025 with Jacksonville State. Pierre turns 24 in July and made 121 college starts over five seasons with Southern Miss, Wichita State, Jax State and SMU. He says that experience will help him transition to the NBA.

Cut 17 (16) “…the long run.”

Pierre will have his first opportunity for NBA action in the NBA Summer League July 9. The Pelicans have named assistant coach God Shammgod as the head coach of the summer league team.

Nicholls is welcoming new head basketball coach Darion Brown after Tevon Saddler’s departure for the NBA G League. Brown was an assistant coach for the Colonels from 2021 to 2023.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Is it a forgone conclusion that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow will be elected as Louisiana’s next U.S. Senator? Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Industrial gas supplier Air Products has scrapped plans to build a four-point-five-billion-dollar clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. Air Products says the project, which was announced in October of 2021, would not be profitable. At the time of the announcement, Air Products said this would have the world’s largest low-carbon energy complex and it would produce blue ammonia for international buyers.

 

Motorists driving uninsured out-of-state vehicles in Louisiana risk getting them impounded. This is thanks to a new law signed by Governor Jeff Landry. Pollock Representative Gabe Firment authored Act 861, which holds out-of-state vehicles to the same standard as those registered in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…out-of-state drivers.”

Firment says this law is intended to help lower auto insurance rates.

Politicos are concerned about the low turnout in Saturday’s closed party primary runoffs in the U-S Senate race. Voter turnout was just 17-percent. Political consultant Roy Fletcher, who worked on John Fleming’s campaign, suspects the toxic environment surrounding national politics is a factor…

Cut 6 (06) “….understand it”

Another factor is the closed party primaries, which is something Louisiana voters are not used to and that the election was held a weekend before the fourth of July holiday.

10:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump’s endorsement was a key factor to Congresswoman Julia Letlow winning the Senate Republican Party primary. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross expects the president to remain involved…

Cut 12 (14) “…launched”

Letlow is expected to win easily on November 3rd when she faces the Democratic nominee Jamie Davis, who lacks the name recognition and the financial resources that Letlow has. Letlow says she is not taking this election for granted…

Cut 19 (11) “….in the House of Representatives”

Letlow has served in the U-S House of Representatives since 2021.

 

Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to pay for a two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers and a one-thousand dollar stipend for school support workers can move forward now that a Baton Rouge judge has lifted his order that blocked the plan. Patrick Wall who covers education for the Advocate, says Landry’s plan is set to take effect tomorrow so the plaintiffs have a short time to react to Monday’s court ruling.

Cut 9 (07)  “…clock right now.”

Judge Chip Moore did not rule on whether Landry has the legal authority to reallocate public school education funding. The lawsuit was dismissed after it was determined the law firm the plaintiffs hired cannot be involved in litigation against the state when they also represent Louisiana in a separate case.

A plume of Saharan dust is over Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the dust will help produce another hot and dry day….

Cut 4 (10) “…back as usual.”