A 15-year-old boy was killed in a drive-by shooting at his home in Ruston. Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the investigation is in the early stages, and detectives are working to determine whether it was a targeted shooting or if it was random.

Cut 10 (09) “…out anything specific.”

No one has been arrested, and Loyd says they have no description of any shooters or any vehicle that may have been involved.

A multi-vehicle crash in DeSoto Parish cost a 50-year-old Natchitoches man is life early this morning. State police say dense fog was a factor. After a tractor trailer and a pick-up truck crashed on I-49, a series of other crashes followed and Lawrence Irchirl driving a Ford F-350 collided with an 18-wheeler stopped in the roadway. Irchirl was properly restrained but succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the crash.

A new survey shows widespread support for increased state spending in early childhood education programs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE director of athletics at LSU and on LSU’s website Ausberry’s bio says he is the director of athletics. The New Iberia native has worked in the LSU athletics department for 24 years and is a longtime senior administrator. He’s been involved in four previous head football coaches’ searches and is leading the search for Brian Kelly’s replacement. Interim head football coach Frank Wilson says Ausberry deserves an opportunity to lead the LSU athletics department

Cut 4 (04) “…has earned.”

LSU clears up Verge Ausberry’s status as the school’s athletic director. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff  Palermo”

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A new survey shows widespread support for increased state spending in early childhood education programs. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE director of athletics at LSU. It was reported on Tuesday night that Ausberry was the permanent A-D. Even interim head football coach Frank Wilson discussed Ausberry’s promotion yesterday morning as a positive step for the university.

Cut 3 (09) “…athletic program.”

Confusion came about yesterday when Rousse called Ausberry the acting A-D, a similar title to interim athletics director.

On the LSU website, Ausberry’s bio says he is the director of athletics. Ausberry has worked at the LSU athletics department for 24 years and the New Iberia native is a longtime senior administrator at his alma mater. He’s been involved in four previous head football coaches’ searches and is leading the search for Brian Kelly’s replacement.

Wilson says Ausberry deserves an opportunity to lead the LSU athletics department.

Cut 4 (04) “…has earned.”

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is heartbroken over the firing of LSU A-D Scott Woodward. But she is happy for Ausberry.

Cut 5 (05) “…this is his school.”

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A new poll shows widespread support for lawmakers to increase spending in early childhood education, with 65-percent of respondents saying they favor it. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says early childhood education is becoming out of reach for many families in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…over their head.”

Sonnier says with the cost of early childhood education taking a huge chunk out of family finances, that puts greater importance on programs like federally supported programs like Head Start. Sonnier says there are two programs in the state which are funded by Head Start – Clover and Primetime – and they have enough money to operate this month.

Cut 7 (07) “…Head Start-affiliated.”

Sonnier says federal support alone is not enough to make early childhood education affordable for many Louisiana families.

Cut 8 (10) “…in doing so.”

Sonnier points out that responses were fairly consistent across political lines, with nearly half of Republicans and almost 85-percent of Democrats saying the state needs to do more to support early childhood education. UpONE Insights surveyed 500 Louisiana voters between September 8th through the 13th, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4-percent.

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A 15-year-old boy is killed early this morning in a drive-by shooting in Ruston. Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the boy’s grandmother called paramedics to the home during the overnight hours, not realizing that he had been shot.

Cut 9 (08)  “…actually been shot.”

The teen was rushed to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. Loyd says the investigation is in the very early stages, and detectives are working to determine whether this was a targeted shooting or if this was random.

Cut 10 (09) “…out anything specific.”

No one has been arrested, and Loyd says not only do they not have a description of the shooters or the vehicle, assuming a vehicle was even involved in the first place.

Cut 11 (03) “…were on foot.”

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A major cold front is coming for Louisiana, but LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we’ll see some mild temperatures until it arrives on late Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Cut 12 (13) “…cold front passes.”

Jacquemin says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months.

Cut 13 (09)  “…public service commission.”

Wind chills during this time will be in the 20s for north Louisiana.

LSU has clarified Verge Ausberry’s title. He is the athletics director according to his bio on lsu-sports-dot-net. This comes one day after new president Wade Rousse said Ausberry was the acting athletics director and his job title would be evaluated after a head football coach is hired. LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey is heartbroken over the firing of LSU AD Scott Woodward. But she is happy for Ausberry…

Cut 5 (05) “…this is his school.”

This is the week that the Louisiana Department of Treasury publishes the names of people with unclaimed property it received in the past year in newspapers throughout the state. This year, that number is 92,348. Treasurer John Fleming says the state will go to great lengths to get that money to their rightful owners. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Cut 15 (10) “…why this happens.”

A major cold front will arrive in Louisiana this weekend, LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday afternoon will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months…

Cut 13 (09) “…in the South

Expect mild temperatures until the front arrives as the weather will be good for high school football games tonight and tomorrow.

A 15-year-old boy is killed in a drive-by shooting in Ruston. Ruston Police Lieutenant Kayla Loyd says the boy’s grandmother called paramedics to the home, not realizing that he had been shot.

Cut 9 (08)  “…actually been shot.”

She says the investigation is in the very early stages, and detectives are working to determine whether this was a targeted shooting or if this was random.

According to a new poll, 65-percent of Louisiana voters want the state to boost spending for early childhood education. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says with families being priced out, that puts a greater burden on federally supported programs like Head Start. Sonnier says the two programs in the state which are funded by Head Start have enough money to operate this month. However:

Cut 7 (07) “…Head Start-affiliated.”

This is the week when the state publishes the names of people reported to have unclaimed property over the last 12 months. This year, that amounts to 92,348. State Treasurer John Fleming says there are many reasons that money ends up going unclaimed.

Cut 14 (10) “…they had it.”

The names are published in the newspapers of the last-known parish where they lived. People can also go to LaCashClaim-dot-org to check to see whether they have any unclaimed property.

Is he, or isn’t he? LSU clears up Verge Ausberry’s status as the school’s athletic director. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff  Palermo.”

This morning, LSU announced that the university is moving forward with Verge Ausberry as the permanent Athletic Director, despite new LSU system president Wade Rousse’s comments on Ausberry being the acting A-D in two different media interviews yesterday. Ausberry will lead the search for a new football coach.

LSU football’s running game showed some promise in the first half against Texas A&M in the 49-25 loss. Junior center Braelin Moore says the Tigers are putting more emphasis on staying committed to the run as well as running the ball better against Alabama on Saturday.

Cut 16 (12) “…ball against Bama.”

The Tigers are currently nine and a half point underdogs.

LSU men’s basketball defeated Tarleton State 96-60 in its season opener. Senior guard Max Mackinnon led scoring with 19 points.

Louisiana Tech will get the chance to have its first six-win season since 2019 with a win over Delaware on Saturday. Head coach Sonny Cumbie says the team is aware of what’s at stake.

Cut 19 (13) “…do our best.”

The Bulldogs kick off at 2 p.m. Central.

The New Orleans Pelicans won their second straight game last night after defeating the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 101-99. Veteran guard Saddiq Bey led New Orleans in scoring with 22 points. Rookie forward Derik Queen scored 11 points while grabbing 7 boards and dishing out two assists. The Pelicans improve to 2-and-6 with the win.  New Orleans will stay in Texas as they will face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The LSU women’s basketball team returns to action tonight after defeating Houston Christian on Tuesday as the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.

One day after LSU president Wade Rousse said Verge Ausberry was the acting Athletics Director, an LSU spokesperson tells the Louisiana Radio Network that Ausberry is THE director of athletics at LSU. It was reported on Tuesday night that Ausberry was the permanent A-D. Even interim head football coach Frank Wilson discussed Ausberry’s promotion on Wednesday morning as a positive step for the university…

Cut 3 (09) “….athletic program”

But yesterday confusion came about when Rousse called Ausberry the acting A-D, which is similar to interim athletics director.

Meanwhile, the LSU football team is getting ready to play fourth ranked Alabama on Saturday. Junior center Braelin Moore says the Tigers are putting more of an emphasis on committing to the run under Coach Wilson…

Cut 16 (12) “…ball against Bama.”

A major cold front will arrive in Louisiana this weekend, but LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says we’ll see some mild temperatures until it arrives on late Saturday night and Sunday morning…

Cut 12 (13) “…cold front passes.”

The National Weather Service says morning lows will be in the 30s for most of the state, with some areas getting below freezing.

A new poll shows widespread support for lawmakers to increase spending in early childhood education, with 65-percent of respondents saying they favor it. Libbie Sonnier, the CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says early childhood education is becoming out of reach for many families in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…over their head.”

As the federal government shutdown drags on, Senator John Kennedy is filing a pair of bills aimed at making lawmakers feel the same financial pain as workers who are not getting paid. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Ruston Police Department is investigating the fatal drive-by-shooting of a 15-year-old. It happened around 3 Am this morning on Second Avenue. The identity of the victim has not been released and police say investigators are actively working the case.

A new report reveals Louisiana is among the worst in the nation for diagnosing lung cancer early. Eric Weinzettle, the director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, says their report finds that Louisiana is ranked 40th for new lung cancer cases and 45th for cases diagnosed at an early stage. Weinzettle says the number-one cause of lung cancer is smoking, and Louisiana has the fifth highest smoking rate in the country at almost 16-percent of adults.

Cut 5 (08) “…50s and 60s.”

A major cold front is coming for Louisiana, LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin  says we are looking at our first significant freeze Monday morning and Monday will be the coldest day in Louisiana in several months…

Cut 13 (09) “…in the South

On this, the record-extending 37th day of the federal government shutdown, Senator John Kennedy is introducing two bills that would withhold lawmakers’ pay during future shutdowns. In a floor speech, Kennedy says it’s only fair that lawmakers feel the same financial pain that they’re putting workers through.

Cut 7 (11) “…not being paid.”

This is the week that the Louisiana Department of Treasury publishes the names of people with unclaimed property it received in the past year in newspapers throughout the state. This year, that number is 92,348. Treasurer John Fleming says the state will go to great lengths to get that money to their rightful owners. But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Cut 15 (10) “…why this happens.”

According to the American Lung Association, Louisiana ranks 45th in the nation for early diagnosis of lung cancer. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former LSU head football coach Brian Kelly stated in an email after his firing that he’s open to reaching a settlement in his 54-million-dollar buyout. In an email obtained by Baton Rouge TV station WAFB, Kelly said any settlement would have to make sense financially. Kelly said despite the school’s decision, he was grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the LSU program for the last four years.

Apparently, Verge Ausberry is not LSU’s permanent athletics director as was reported Tuesday night. New LSU system president Wade Rousse said in two different media interviews yesterday that Ausberry is the acting athletics director. Rousse says Ausberry has full authority to hire a football coach and it will be assessed at a later time if Ausberry will be the full-time A-D.

Are you on the list? Andre Champagne reports this is the week to look in your local newspaper to find out.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy has filed legislation that says as long as the federal government is shutdown, members of Congress will not be paid. Kennedy also filed a bill that says members of Congress will have their pay escrowed and will receive it after the government re-opens. Kennedy says he’s introducing the latter just in case the former runs into constitutional issues…

Cut 8 (10) “….flavors of bills”

A 46-year-old Slidell preschool teacher helped Police catch a suspected shoplifter. Police Chief Daniel Seuzenau says Lesli Smith saw a suspect fleeing in a getaway car and offered Sergeant Jeff Kahrs a ride. He coached her during the chase while telling patrol units where the suspects were headed. Smith says she was glad to help her town’s police department that works hard to keep their community safe…

Cut 30 (12) “…went shopping.”

As the federal government shutdown drags on, Senator John Kennedy is filing a pair of bills aimed at making lawmakers feel the same financial pain as workers who are not getting paid.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has suspended its plan to fund the SNAP program this month. That’s because the USDA has said it will issue half of the typical monthly SNAP benefits for November after they were ordered to do so by the courts. L-D-H says all eligible SNAP recipients will receive a portion of their benefits tomorrow, including able-bodied workers.

A new report from the American Lung Association says Louisiana ranks 45^th in the nation in early diagnosis of lung cancer, at 25-percent, while nationally its 28-percent. Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association, Eric Weinzettle says C-T scans of high-risk individuals are one way to catch this disease earlier, and biomarker testing can help doctors decide on different treatment options, possibly avoiding chemotherapy.

Cut 6 (13) “…to biomarker testing.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Louisiana.

This week the Louisiana Department of Treasury is publishing 92-thousand names in your local newspaper that are owed unclaimed property. State Treasurer John Fleming says there are many reasons that money ends up going unclaimed…

Cut 14 (10) “….they had it”

Fleming says all state residents should check their local newspaper to see if they are on the list.