LRN PM Newscall January 19

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he will continue to seek re-election despite President Trump endorsing Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U-S Senate race. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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There is the possibility a winter storm will hit Louisiana this weekend. Bill Jacquemin has the story…

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin.”

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You can start filing your state income tax returns one week from today. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the very easiest way to do so is electronically, for free, through the department’s online portal known as LaTAP.

Cut 3 (12) “…your account history.”

Henderson says if for some reason you cannot use LaTAP, you have other options to file your state tax return.

Cut 4 (12) “…download and print.”

Henderson says filing electronically will also ensure that you get your refund as quickly as possible, should you be owed one.

Cut 5 (07) “…about four weeks.”

If you submit a paper return and are expecting a refund, that will take about eight weeks. May 15th is the deadline to file state income taxes. 

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U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has no plans of ending his re-election bid, even though President Donald Trump is encouraging Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for the Senate and said he will support her candidacy.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a Trump endorsement does not guarantee a win for that candidate. He says the President endorsed Republican Eddie Rispone in the 2019 governor’s race…

Cut 6 (09) “…governor’s race.”

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards beat Rispone in the 2019 governor’s race, despite President Trump making multiple visits to Louisiana in support of Rispone. Pinsonat says Trump’s endorsement for Letlow is a blow to Cassidy’s re-election campaign, but it is a hurdle he can overcome…

Cut 7 (08) “…all is not lost.”

Trump announced his endorsement of Letlow on Saturday night. Cassidy responded with his own statement. The Baton Rouge Republican said he is confident he will win if Congresswoman Letlow decides to run. Pinsonat says Cassidy is not backing down, despite the President’s potential influence over the U-S Senate race…

Cut 8 (12) “..this race.”

Cassidy is also well funded as his campaign has 11 million dollars in cash and had a major fundraising event last week in Baton Rouge that raised 650-thousand dollars.

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Senator John Kennedy’s quest to end payments to dead people heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature. It’s a bill that he sponsored that aims to end welfare payments to people who have passed away. Kennedy says up until a few years ago, the problem was very widespread.

Cut 9 (07)  “…to dead people.”

Kennedy says the catalyst behind this is the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File, which gets updated anytime someone dies.

Cut 10 (12) “…branch of government (2x).”

Kennedy says the Social Security Administration told him that it was not at liberty to share that information with other government departments without congressional approval, so he passed a bill in 2023 that created a pilot program that allowed it to do just that. Kennedy says it’s been very effective.

Cut 11 (10) “…in improper payments.”

So Kennedy filed a follow-up bill to give the Social Security Administration permanent permission to share that information with other government agencies, and both houses of Congress have passed it.

2:30 LRN Newscast

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he will continue to seek re-election despite President Trump endorsing Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U-S Senate race. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Tonight is the national championship game in college football. Former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is rooting for Miami to beat Indiana that’s because Coach O’s twin sons, Cody and Parker Orgeron are on the Hurricanes coaching staff. Cody is the quarterbacks analyst and Parker is a defensive backs assistant.

 

Senator John Kennedy’s quest to end payments to dead people heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature. It’s a bill that he sponsored that aims to end welfare payments to people who have passed away. Kennedy says up until a few years ago, the problem was very widespread.

Cut 9 (07)  “…to dead people.”

Kennedy’s legislation requires the Social Security Administration to share with other federal government agencies the names of Americans who die.

There are three things guaranteed,….life, death and taxes and starting next Monday, you can file your state income taxes. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says yon can file electronically by using their LaTap portal and if you are unable to use LaTap, there are other options…

Cut 4 (12) “…download and print”

The deadline to file your state taxes is May 15th.

1:30 LRN Newscast

There is the possibility a winter storm will hit Louisiana this weekend. Bill Jacquemin has the story…

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Bill Jacquemin.”

You can start filing your state income tax returns one week from today. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the very easiest way to do so is electronically, for free, through the department’s online portal known as LaTAP.

Cut 3 (12) “…your account history.”

Henderson says filing electronically will also ensure that you get your refund as quickly as possible, should you be owed one.

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has no plans of ending his re-election bid, even though President Donald Trump is encouraging Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for Senate and said he will support her candidacy.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a Trump endorsement does not guarantee a win. He says the President endorsed Republican Eddie Rispone in the 2019 governor’s race…

Cut 6 (09) “…governor’s race.”

In a social media post, President Trump encouraged Letlow to run for U.S. Senate, calling her a “great star” and “total winner.” She said she was honored but didn’t say whether she would run. La Politics dot com editor Jeremy Alford says if she runs she’ll have the support of the president and the governor.

Cut 11 (13) “…reputation.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy says he will continue to seek re-election despite President Trump endorsing Congresswoman Julia Letlow in the U-S Senate race. Joe Gallinaro has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

The search continues in northeast Louisiana for a missing elementary school teacher. Carlton Osborn who teaches at Lake Providence Elementary has not been seen since right before Christmas. The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office says they are diligently investigating the teacher’s disappearance. The sheriff’s office says the missing persons report was filed with the National Crime Information Center.

 

Governor Jeff Landry has named Former Commissioner of Administration Angelle Davis the new Inspector General, and he wants to change the duties of the position. Landry wants the I-G to find efficiencies in state government, instead of investigating allegations of mismanagement, misconduct, fraud and corruption within state government. It will take legislative action to change the role of the state inspector general, but Landry doesn’t see how anyone would vote against it…

Cut 15 (09) “…reform it.”

Walmart says it is investing 330-million dollars to modernize its regional distribution center in Opelousas. St. Landry Economic CEO Bill Rodier says Walmart is one of the largest employers in St. Landry…

Cut 9 (09) “…couldn’t be happier”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has added nearly 40 players from the transfer portal and the class is ranked number one by 2-4-7 sports. And the Tigers are not done adding to the class. The number one offensive tackle in the portal, Jordan Seaton, who started 22 games at Colorado, reportedly had a great visit to LSU on Sunday.

Great win for the LSU women’s basketball team on Sunday as the sixth ranked Lady Tigers defeated 13th ranked Oklahoma 91 to 72 for their third consecutive SEC win after starting league play with back to back to losses. Flau’jae Johnson had 23 points and 10 rebounds, but in the postgame she talked about the team’s effort on the defensive end of the court as they were able to slow down a high-scoring O-U offense…

Cut 16 (11) “…that way”

LSU’s next game is Thursday night at Texas A-and-M.

The LSU men’s basketball team finally won its first SEC game on Saturday as the Tigers put together their best performance of the year for a 78 to 70 win over Missouri. It was a nice bounce-back victory for LSU, which lost a heartbreaker last Wednesday to Kentucky, blowing an 18-point lead and losing on a last-second shot. Forward Marquel Sutton led the way with 26 points…

Cut 19 (17) “…40 minutes.”

In the NFL playoffs yesterday, the Patriots forced five turnovers as New England defeated Houston 28 to 16 to advance to the AFC Championship game. Former LSU Tiger K’ Lavon Chaisson put pressure on Houston QB CJ Stroud all afternoon long…

Cut 22 (15 ) “…for sure”

11:30 LRN Newscast

The times, they are a-changin’ at the Louisiana inspector general’s office. Governor Landry taps Angele Davis to the position and is changing the duties of that role. Landry says the Office of the Inspector General will be in charge of finding efficiencies in state government.

Cut 13 (11)  “…do better.”

Electric vehicle adoption experienced tremendous growth throughout the year last year; and now, there are more than 21-thousand of them registered throughout Louisiana. All this happened even after Congress pulled the plug on the EV tax credits that weren’t supposed to expire until 2032. Ann Vail, the executive director of Louisiana Clean Fuels, pins some of the credit on an improving charging infrastructure.

Cut 5 (11) “…and it’s everywhere.”

President Trump is encouraging Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for U.S. Senate. Jeff Palermo reports Letlow would be a formidable challenger to Bill Cassidy’s re-election campaign.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to address the British Parliament tomorrow to kick off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Johnson was invited to address Parliament by his counterpart in the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Johnson will be the first U.S. House speaker to address the British Parliament.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A huge development in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race as President Trump posted on social media that Congresswoman Julia Letlow should run against Senator Bill Cassidy. In his post, Trump called Letlow a “Great Star” and a “Total Winner” and would have his endorsement should she enter the race. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says if Letlow runs, it will be a highly competitive race.

Cut 10 (10) “…the bank.”

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. Louisiana Clean Fuels says there are now more than 21-thousand EVs and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says you will find most of them in the more heavily-populated parishes.

Cut 4 (08) “…starting to drive.”

Louisiana has a new inspector general, and the duties of that position are changing. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

An Acadiana priest is charged with sex crimes involving children. Records indicate that the Reverend Korey Lavergne was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. The 37-year-old is the pastor at St. Edward Catholic Church in Richard.

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

In a social media post, President Trump encouraged Congresswoman Julia Letlow to run for U.S. Senate, calling her “Great Star” and a “Total Winner.” Senator Bill Cassidy is seeking his third six-year term but he’s drawn several challengers because he voted in 2021 to impeach President Trump.  La Politics dot com editor Jeremy Alford says Cassidy has tried to show he is an ally of Trump and can help deliver the President’s agenda…

Cut 12 (11) “…win it.”

Governor Jeff Landry has named Former Commissioner of the Administration Angelle Davis the new Inspector General, and he wants to change the duties of the position. It will take legislative action to change the role of the state inspector general, but Landry doesn’t see how anyone would vote against it…

Cut 15 (09) “…reform it.”

The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office says 13 people who were in the US illegally have recently been arrested as they were traveling to the Meta Data Center site. Deputies say, during a routine traffic stop, it was found that the individuals did not have valid Louisiana Driver’s Licenses. It was later found that the individuals were undocumented and, in the country, illegally. The 13 were from Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico After requesting a voluntary return, one of the individuals from Venezuela was processed by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity in Louisiana. According to Louisiana Clean Fuels, there are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered throughout the state. Executive Director Ann Vail says Louisiana’s charging infrastructure has improved but she would like to see more multi-family housing communities offer EV charging to their tenants, but…

Cut 6 (11) “…work with that.”

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

In a social media post, President Trump encouraged Congresswoman Julia Letlow run for U.S. Senate, calling her a “great star” and “total winner.” She said she was honored but didn’t say whether she would run. Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s confident he will win. La Politics dot com editor Jeremy Alford says if she runs she’ll have the support of the president and the governor.

Cut 11 (13) “…reputation.”

Governor Jeff Landry has named Former Commissioner of the Administration Angelle Davis the new Inspector General and wants the office to implement recommendations from reports issued by the legislative auditor on how state government agencies can be more efficient. He says his administration recently implemented an old recommendation on verifying Medicaid eligibility and it saved the state millions…

Cut 14 (09) “…long time ago.”

Electric vehicle adoption in Louisiana experienced a steady increase throughout 2025. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Walmart is planning to invest more than $330 million to modernize it’s regional distribution center in Opelousas. The State provided a $10 million performance-based grant tied to equipment investments. St. Landry Economic Development CEO Bill Rodier says the modernization will double Walmart’s shipping capacity.

Cut 8 (13) “…that’s a big deal.”

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A disturbing and bizarre story, as at least eight cars, a utility pole and a house were set on fire in the New Orleans Bywater area. The first report came in around 2:00 AM. WWL reports that Witnesses say firefighters were battling the first car fire when the second car was discovered just a little distance down the block. A house and utility pole were also in flames, and as they moved down the street, more cars were found burning on Dauphine and Desire Streets. The witness said it happened within an hour slowly and methodically.

A huge development in Louisiana’s U-S Senate race as President Trump posted on his social media network, “Truth Social” that Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow should run against Senator Bill Cassidy. In his social media post, Mr. Trump called Letlow a “Great Star” and a “Total Winner.” Publisher of Lapolitics-dot-com Jeremy Alford says if Letlow runs, it will be a highly competitive race…

Cut 10 (10) “…the bank.”

Louisiana has a new inspector general and the duties of that position are changing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

There are now more than 21-thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids registered in Louisiana, according to Louisiana Clean Fuels. Executive Director Ann Vail says EV adoption started its climb in 2021 and soared throughout the year last year, even after Congress pulled the plug on the EV tax credits. She credits Louisiana’s improving charging infrastructure.

Cut 5 (11) “…and it’s everywhere.”