LRN PM Newscall June 19

Avoyelles Parish gets hit with two and a half feet of rain in just 12 hours, and the images of the aftermath are surreal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Landry’s executive order to redirect public school funding to teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

Frank says even though the rain has stopped, it’s still a very active scene which is forcing people from their homes.

Cut 4 (08) “…200 right now.”

Frank says officials haven’t even begun to assess the damage yet, and it could be a while before they’re able to.

Cut 5 (07) “…evaluations of homes.”

Frank says the worst part is since most of Avoyelles Parish is not in a flood zone, most people do not have flood insurance. Governor Landry has already declared a state of emergency in Avoyelles Parish and six other parishes. He will be visiting this afternoon, and Frank says he may seek a federal disaster declaration.

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An East Baton Rouge Parish judge granted a temporary restraining order to block Governor Landry’s executive order to reallocate 168-million-dollars in the state’s public school funding formula to provide stipends for teachers. Greg Beuerman, the spokesman for the three plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the order, says it’s unconstitutional.

Cut 6 (13) “…ability to do.”

The court will hold a hearing to determine whether the restraining order should stand on June 29th.

The court ruled the executive order’s bypassing of the legislature violated the separation of powers. Beuerman says the order takes away authority from the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Cut 7 (11) “…the wrong venue.”

The executive order does require a two-thirds majority vote from legislators via virtual ballot for approval. Beuerman says while the constitution does provide for remote voting outside of a legislative session, it’s only in extraordinary scenarios.

Cut 8 (09) “…not go forward.”

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The clock is ticking if you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season. With summer temperatures rising, crawfish are burrowing, and the season is ending. Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says you might find a few stragglers at vendors and restaurants until the Fourth of July in South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a great product.”

King says not to worry about the price going up just because there are fewer crawfish available. This year’s leftovers will help produce next year’s crop. King says crawfish are as affordable as they’ve been this season.

Cut 10 (06) “…two-99 a pound.”

King says you can always find foreign seafood year-round; but if you want local crawfish, time is running out. She says even your favorite local crawfish spots will stop serving it soon, if it hasn’t already.

Cut 11 (09) “…for the season.”

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For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.”

We asked Lupo whether Louisiana would have had a higher ranking if the rankings only accounted for the well-populated areas of each state.

Cut 13 (09) “…but not much.”

Whereas Louisiana ranked no higher than 45th in nearly all metrics, the one exception is in the male uninsured rate, in which Louisiana ranks 32nd. Lupo says, however, that number is being held down due to a large number of areas of high unemployment.

Cut 14 (10) “…healthcare insurance suffers.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Avoyelles Parish gets hit with two and a half feet of rain in just 12 hours, and the images of the aftermath are surreal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The U.S. Men’s national team will play its second World Cup game versus Australia today. Both teams won their first group stage matches, so a win for either team today would clinch a first-place finish in the group and a favorable draw in the knockout round. Kickoff in Seattle is at 2:00

An East Baton Rouge Parish judge granted a temporary restraining order to block Governor Landry’s executive order to reallocate 168-million-dollars in the state’s public school funding formula to provide stipends for teachers. Greg Bauerman, the spokesman for the three plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit against the order, says it’s unconstitutional.

Cut 6 (13) “…ability to do.”

The court will hold a hearing to determine whether the restraining order should stand June 29.

The clock is ticking if you haven’t gotten your crawfish fix this season. Cofounder of the Crawfish App Laney King says you might find a few stragglers at vendors and restaurants until the fourth of July in South Louisiana.

Cut 9 (11)  “…great product.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU signee Braxton Beaty announced he’d be pulling his name from the MLB draft and enrolling at LSU. The lefty pitcher is Perfect Game’s 222nd-ranked draft prospect and features a three-pitch mix of a 93-mile-per-hour fastball, a slider and a changeup.

The Saints announced running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame this season. Armstead was drafted by New Orleans in the third round of the 2013 draft and stayed for nine seasons with the Saints. He was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Black and Gold and a 2018 All-Pro. Despite ending his career with three seasons in Miami, he says he’s a lifelong Saint.

Cut 18 (11) “…I made it (2x).”

Ingram was a 2011 first-round pick, and in 2022 he retired as the Saints’ leading rusher with 65-hundred yards.

The U.S. Men’s national team has its second World Cup Group Stage match today against Australia. Both teams won their first outings versus Paraguay and Turkey, respectively, so the winner in today’s match will clinch the top spot in the group and a spot in the knockout round. Kickoff in Seattle is at 2:00.

UL-Lafayette signed professional Russian forward Mikhail Dulkay to its basketball roster. The 6-9 junior has spent the past several seasons with the Zenit Saint Petersburg organization, making his debut for their senior squad in the 2025-2026 season.

The Cajuns also added Loyola Marymount Transfer catcher Jose Carmona Jr. Carmona redshirted last season with the Lions and has two years of eligibility remaining. He becomes the 14th transfer addition to Matt Deggs’s squad that saw nine players depart in the portal.

LA Tech landed a commitment from defensive lineman Quade Williams. The Fort Worth, Texas native is listed at 6-1 280 pounds, and becomes the fourth commit to Sonny Cumbie’s 2027 class.

11:30 LRN Newscast

It’s being called a “1,000-year flood.” Avoyelles Parish was the heaviest hit by the torrential rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, getting two and a half feet of rain dumped on it in less than 12 hours. Joey Frank, the director of the Avoyelles Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says the scene is mind-boggling.

Cut 3 (07) “…halfway to structures.”

For years, WalletHub has done annual rankings for life as working moms for Mother’s Day. This year, for the first time, it did a ranking for life as working dads for Father’s Day, and it shows Louisiana with an overall ranking next to last, ahead of only Nevada. Analyst Chip Lupo says the fact that Louisiana is a predominantly rural state plays a major role in its low ranking.

Cut 12 (08) “…of cases, unaffordable.” 

A Baton Rouge judge issued a temporary restraining order against Governor Landry’s executive order to redirect public school funding to teacher stipends. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

There’s one more day of early voting ahead of the runoff elections  in the Louisiana U.S. Senate primaries – but for that, you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow. With today being Juneteenth, which is a federal and state holiday, there is no early voting today. Election Day is a week from tomorrow, June 27th.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, Among them is Avoyelles Parish, which got pounded with about two and a half feet of rain. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says not even the station’s facilities were spared of the storm’s wrath.

Cut 5 (08) “…inside the studios.”

About 150 people in Avoyelles Parish ended up being displaced because of the rain.

In Kenner, several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says airport operations continued.

Cut 8 (10) “…inundated with water.”

Conley says tow trucks were able to move all the stuck vehicles in less than an hour to get traffic moving again.

Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but it’s still going to be a soggy start to the weekend in South Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through.

Cut 10 (12) “…chances relatively high.”

Keim says the cold front will help pop off a few more thunderstorms.

Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says the holiday should serve as a reminder to Americans of the sacrifices that have been made to protect their freedoms, and he hopes its national recognition will help inspire people to keep fighting.

Cut 15 (12) “…struggle for it.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville and says the scene was surreal.

Cut 4 (08) “…but are underwater.”

Floodwaters also kept crews in Kenner very busy yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

Airport operations continued uninterrupted by the nearby flooding.

The weekend will get off to a rainy start, and it’s not going to get any more comfortable as it progresses. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says after the rain stops, people will be contending with moisture of another kind – humidity.

Cut 12 (11) “…half as well.”

Today is Juneteenth — the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. While it’s been celebrated for decades by African-American communities, it was only made a federal holiday in 2021. LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says while he’s wary that its new status may erode the true meaning, he says he hopes it will help educate the next generation.

Cut 14 (11) “…why they’re important.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Jeff Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes after many communities saw serious flooding.  We’re told officials issued mandatory evacuation orders as the rain kept coming down, and sandbags were made available for affected residents. Communities also opened shelters for those displaced by floodwaters.

Speaking of which, floodwaters kept crews in Kenner busy yesterday morning. Even though operations at the airport continued, Police Chief Keith Conley says flooding did make it difficult for people to get to and from the airport. Conley says the city and tow companies it contracts with prepare for these scenarios all the time so…

Cut 9 (10)  “…up pretty fast.”

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Running back Mark Ingram and offensive tackle Terron Armstead were unveiled as the Saints Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Tropical Storm Arthur has passed, but South Louisiana will see more rain over the weekend. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through with a cold front that will mean more thunderstorms.

Cut 11 (07) “…especially on Saturday.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order that would have redirected $168 million from Louisiana’s Minimum Foundation Program to fund teacher and staff stipends.  The temporary restraining order cites five constitutional issues with the executive order.

Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but the rain certainly is not. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur — Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne. Arthur’s remnants stalled over Avoyelles Parish throughout the day yesterday, dumping about two and a half feet of rain in some places leaving roads flooded and homes underwater. Louis Coco manages KLIL radio in Moreauville says the station was even forced off the air.
Cut 6 (11) “…the transmitters off.”
According to published reports, 150 residents were displaced in Avoyelles Parish alone.

There was also flooding in Kenner yesterday morning.  Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport. But he says while the roads were a washout, operations at the airport continued.

Cut 8 (10) “…inundated with water.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Offensive tackle Terron Armstead and running back Mark Ingram will be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame this year. Ingram played for 10 seasons with the Saints and during his playing days, he was well aware of the Saints Hall of Fame…

Cut 17 (14) “…garner that recognition”

Ingram rushed for 65-hundred yards and 52 touchdowns during his Saints career. He was the team’s all-time leading rusher, until Alvin Kamara surpassed his rushing total in 2024.

Armstead played nine seasons for the Saints and made the Pro Bowl three consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2020.

Former LSU pitcher Lloyd Peever has been elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Peever was the National Player of the Year in 1992 as he went 14-0 with a 1.98 ERA.

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LSU signee Braxton Beaty has withdrawn his name from the Major League Baseball Draft. The left-hander from Angleton, Texas will enroll at LSU for the Fall Semester. According to Perfect Game Texas, Beaty, has a fastball in the low 90s and has a wipeout slider.

Former LSU pitcher Gage Jump picked up his third major league win last night as the Athletics blanked the Angels five to nothing. Jump allowed just one hit over seven innings, walked three and struck out seven. In his four starts, he’s allowed just four earned runs and has not allowed a home run.

Former LSU standout Ryan Patterson is reportedly going to be hired as the new recruiting coordinator for the Ragin Cajuns. According to D1 Baseball, Patterson will also help with the offense,

Southeastern Louisiana needs a new softball coach as Rick Fremin has left Hammond to be the associate head coach at Texas. Fremin has led the Lions to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Governor Landry has issued a state of emergency in six parishes in response to the severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Joe Gallinaro reports one of the hardest hit was Avoyelles Parish.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Floodwaters kept crews in Kenner very busy yesterday morning. Police Chief Keith Conley says several vehicles became stuck in floodwaters near Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Cut 7 (10) “…and emergency vehicles.”

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Tropical Storm Arthur may be gone, but it’s still going to be a soggy start to the weekend in South Louisiana. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says another weather system is coming through.

Cut 10 (12) “…chances relatively high.”

Today is Juneteenth — the holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865. Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation legally abolished slavery in 1863,but, LSU African-American Studies Professor Stephen Finley says it wasn’t until Juneteenth that the news arrived on the shores of Galveston, Texas, where many slave owners had fled.

Cut 13 (12)  “…had not heard.”

Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday since 2001.