2:30 LRN Newscast

Temperatures are in the 50s today in north Louisiana, but don’t let that fool you. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says conditions are really going to deteriorate tomorrow, as an ice storm is going to blanket the upper half of the state this weekend.

Cut 9 (07)  “…quite a mess.”

With the ice storm coming, SWEPCO crews are getting ready. Spokesman Michael Corbin says crews are getting in place.

Cut 6 (12) “…a day’s notice.”

Corbin says SWEPCO works closely with the offices of emergency preparedness in each parish in its service area so that it has the latest information on road conditions, so that they can relay that information to their crews out in the field. Corbin says SWEPCO prepares for these kinds of storms year round.

As some in St. Landry Parish are pushing for the re-legalization of cockfighting, the parish council is asking Attorney General Liz Murrill for her opinion on whether the state’s law banning it is unconstitutional. During last night’s council meeting, Nadea Comeaux told the council cockfighting is, in her opinion, wholesome entertainment.

Cut 4 (10) “…involved in that.”

It’s a federal crime to attend an animal fighting event, and cockfighting is illegal at the state level in all 50 states, with Louisiana the last state to outlaw it in 2008.

Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information, including the 988 suicide prevention hotline.

Cut 23 (08) “…is totally anonymous.”

1:30 LRN Newscast

In the last hour, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for north Louisiana. And it begins Friday night until noon on Sunday. It covers the Shreveport and Monroe areas. In its warning message, the National Weather Service says ice accumulation between one third of an inch to an inch is expected along the I-20 corridor.

SWEPCO crews are getting ready for the ice storm bearing down on the state. Spokesman Michael Corbin says crews are getting in place.

Cut 6 (12) “…a day’s notice.”

There’s also an ice storm warning for East Carroll, Morehouse, Richland and West Carroll Parishes, beginning on Friday night and lasting until Sunday night. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says this would be a good weekend to stay home…

Cut 12 (10) “…at home”

 

18 years ago, Louisiana became the last state to ban cockfighting. One parish is pushing to legalize it again – at least in its own parish, and despite a simultaneous ban at the federal level. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The mother of a 10-month-old child who died after being left in a hot car in August of 2024 has been sentenced to five years in prison. Hannah Faith Cormier of Jennings pleaded no contest to negligent homicide.

12:30 LRN Newscast

A major winter storm is bearing down on Louisiana. LRN Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin has the latest…

Cut 2 (33) “…into Sunday.”

A film shot in Louisiana is now one for the record books. Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan, scored a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director. The previous record was 14, held by three films – “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.”

The St. Landry Parish Council is making a formal request to Attorney General Liz Murrill for her opinion on whether the state’s law banning cockfighting is unconstitutional. It comes as several in the parish are pushing to make it legal there once again. Nadea Comeaux says cockfighting, which had a history in the parish, would bring in much-needed revenue.

Cut 3 (11) “…of these things?”

Now that Julia Letlow will be vacating her District 5 seat to challenge Bill Cassidy for his U.S. Senate seat, the race is on for her successor. Greg Hilburn, a Louisiana politics reporter for the USA Today Network, says this will be a wide open race – at least in one of the primaries.

Cut 7 (10) “…that’s Garret Graves.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Lane Kiffin’s already No. 1 Transfer Portal class got even stronger with the addition of the number one edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen (ooh-MAHN-me-ellen), who led Ole Miss with nine sacks last season. Umanmielen is rated as the fifth best prospect in the portal by 247sports.

Kiffin may not be done yet. The Tigers are fighting to land Colorado sophomore Jordan Seaton, who is rated as the number-one offensive tackle in the transfer portal. Zack Nagy who covers LSU for Sports Illustrated says LSU and Oregon are in a recruiting battle for Seaton.

Cut 18 (22)  “…open up the checkbook.”

 

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart is also a finalist and so is Patriots running back Tre’Veyon Henderson. Panthers wide receiver T-Mac McMillan and Bucaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka (uh-MEH-kuh eh-BOO-kuh) are the other two finalists.

Hometown hero Josh Brantley is returning to Ruston as he’s committed to play for Louisiana Tech. As a quarterback, Brantley led Ruston High to a state championship in 2023. He was on Tulane’s roster last season, but didn’t play. Matt Belinson of the Ruston Leader reports Brantley is expected to play tight end for the Bulldogs.

Tonight In women’s hoops, the sixth-ranked Lady Tigers look for their fourth straight win as they travel to Texas A&M. The Lady Techsters are looking for their fifth straight win as they visit Missouri State. McNeese Coach Ayla Guzzardo returns to Hamond tonight as the Cowgirls look for their eighth straight as they face Southeastern. Guzzardo is an S-L-U alum and led the Lady Lions to the NCAA Tournament as their coach in 2023.

11:30 LRN Newscast

North Louisiana could be hit with a significant ice storm this weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says rain will reach the state’s northwestern parishes on Friday, and that rain will eventually turn to freezing rain and spread across the northern half of the state.

Cut 10 (08) “…ice or more.”

Minor icing is also possible across south Louisiana which is why the winter storm watch has been extended south to the I-10 corridor.

DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says they do have a chemical called Pavix that can help with iced over bridges, elevated highways and roads.

Cut 14 (10) “…easier to do.”

Mallett says the state also has more than ten million pounds of salt.

 

Two juveniles have been arrested in the shooting death of a sixth-grade student in Bastrop. According to the Morehouse Parish sheriff’s Office. One of the juveniles has been charged with negligent homicide, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a juvenile. The second juvenile is facing an obstruction charge along with drug and gun charges.

With Julia Letlow seeking bigger and better things, the race is on to replace her in the House of Representatives. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Are you ready for the winter weather this weekend? State Climatologist Jay Grymes says confidence is high for an impactful and dangerous winter weather event, beginning as early as Friday for the northwestern parishes and continuing next week with bitterly-cold Arctic air…

Cut 12 (09) “…in a row”

Grymes says freezing rain and subsequent icing could result in surface accumulation of a half an inch of ice to an inch of ice for a large portion of the northern half of the state.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says DOTD crews can apply a chemical call Pavix to help break up the ice once it forms and they have ten million pounds of salt that can be spread on the roads before the icing event…

Cut 15 (09) “…we’re able to”

 

Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s announcement that she will run for U-S Senate, opens up one of the six Congressional seats. Greg Hilburn, a Louisiana politics reporter for the USA Today Network, says with qualifying less than three weeks away, candidates will have to resort to creative ways to raise money.

Cut 9 (08)  “…can for sure.”

Baton Rouge Senator Rick Edmonds says he plans to run for the 5th district Congressional seat. Several other state lawmakers say they are also looking at running.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. Carter says this will encourage kids contemplating suicide to call the 988 suicide prevention hotline rather than people they know.

Cut 6 (09) “…result of this.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

A winter storm with freezing rain could bring ice accumulations topping a half inch for the northern third of Louisiana, and some places could see an inch of ice says State Climatologist Jay Grymes .

Cut 11 (12) “…widespread power outages”

He says there is the potential for ice accumulations along parts of the I-10/I-12 corridor by Saturday night.

Road closures are likely across the northern half of the state. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says they will do what they can to keep roads open.

Cut 13 (15)  “…priority routes open.”

Governor Landry will hold a 2 p-m press conference to discuss the state’s preparedness for the storm.

Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. The New Orleans Democrat says the information could be a life-saver for kids at the ages who need those services the most.

Cut 4 (12) “…drugs or alcohol.”

Now that Julia Letlow will be vacating the District 5 congressional seat to challenge Bill Cassidy for one of the U.S. Senate seats, the race is on for her successor. Greg Hilburn, a Louisiana politics reporter for the USA Today Network, says a wildcard is Garret Graves who formerly represented the Sixth District until he was effectively drawn out of that district and part of that district became part of District 5. Hilburn does not expect Graves to run, but several other Republicans are expected to run.

Cut 8 (13) “…in the Senate.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. Carter says kids contemplating suicide will call the 988 suicide prevention hotline rather than people they know.

Cut 6 (10) “…result of this.”

 

The race is on for the next District 5 U.S. Representative as Julia Letlow vacates the post to run for U.S. Senate. Greg Hilburn, a Louisiana politics reporter for the USA Today Network, says with qualifying less than three weeks away, candidates will have to resort to creative ways to raise

money.

Cut 9 (08)  “…can for sure.”

 

Lane Kiffin has added the 13th top player to LSU’s transfer portal class yesterday. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

 

North Louisiana could be hit with a significant ice storm this weekend with the potential for ice accumulations as far south as parts of the I-10/I-12 corridor by Saturday night and any road closures could be lengthy. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says they do have a chemical called Pavix that can help with iced over bridges, elevated highways and roads.

Cut 14 (10) “…easier to do.”

Mallett says the state also has more than ten million pounds of salt.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A bipartisan bill introduced in the House would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors and says one of the pieces of information that would be required is the 988-suicide prevention hotline.

Cut 5 (08) “…is totally anonymous.”

Carter says kids contemplating suicide will call the 988 suicide prevention hotline rather than speak to someone they know.

North Louisiana could be hit with a significant ice storm this weekend. State Climatologist Jay Grymes says rain will reach the state’s northwestern parishes on Friday, and that rain will eventually turn to freezing rain and spread across the northern half of the state.

Cut 10 (08) “…ice or more.”

He says there is the potential for ice accumulations along parts of the I-10/I-12 corridor by Saturday night into Sunday. Governor Landry will hold a 2 p-m press conference to discuss the state’s preparedness for the storm.

With Julia Letlow entering the Senate race, the race is on to replace her in the House of Representatives. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is morning the loss of one of their own. Four-year-veteran, Deputy Tim Jordon was struck by a train yesterday morning while he was working a traffic assignment. Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington said Deputy Jordan was a dedicated public servant who took pride in protecting the citizens of Bossier Parish, and his loss is deeply felt throughout the agency and the community.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Now that Julia Letlow will be vacating her District 5 seat to challenge Bill Cassidy for the U.S. Senate seat, the race is on for her successor. Greg Hilburn, a Louisiana politics reporter for the USA Today Network, says this will be a wide open race – at least in one of the primaries.

Cut 7 (10) “…that’s Garret Graves.”

Congressman Troy Carter is among the sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require all middle school and high school student IDs and websites to include mental health and suicide prevention information. The New Orleans Democrat says the information could be a life-saver for kids at the ages who need those services the most.

Cut 4 (12) “…drugs or alcohol.”

A large ice storm could produce power outages and close numerous roads across the northern half of the state this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The mother of a 10-month-old child who died after being left in a hot car in August of 2024 has been sentenced to five years in prison. Hannah Faith Cormier of Jennings pleaded no contest to negligent homicide last summer. Her daughter died at a hospital after Cormier forgot her daughter was in the car while she worked for two hours and the temperature in the car rose to 140 to 150 degrees. Jeff Davis Parish DA Lauren Heinen said it was a difficult case with tragic circumstances, but every child deserves to be protected.