6:45 LRN Sportscast

Lafayette’s Dustin Poirier’s final UFC fight ended on Saturday night in New Orleans with a loss to Max Holloway. Holloway won by unanimous decision. Poirier’s 16-year professional career ends with him tied for the fifth-most wins in UFC history with 22. Poirier on his legacy…

Cut 30 (18) “…know the author”

Tragedy has hit the Edna Karr football program as one of their former players was killed in Cordova, Tennessee on Saturday night. Corey Adams helped Karr win a state championship last season and he was found fatally shot in a vehicle outside of a residence. He was set to play at Ole Miss this year.

 

The Saints report for training camp tomorrow and second-round pick and quarterback Tyler Shough finally signed a contract on Saturday. Shough has a fully guaranteed deal worth nearly 11 million dollars. Shough was the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and he’s the last player selected to receive a fully guaranteed contract.

Former LSU pitcher Anthony Eyanson has signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox Organization. The third-round pick received a one-point-seven-million-dollar signing bonus, nearly a million dollars higher than the slot value.

 

There’s excitement around the state for Louisiana Tech’s entrance into the Sun Belt Conference. The television play-by-play announcer for Ragin Cajuns Athletics Dan McDonald says the natural rivalries are already established…

Cut 11 (12) “…to watch that”

Tech will either enter the Sun Belt before the 2026 season or the 2027.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

A drive-by shooting Sunday afternoon in Ponchatoula claimed the life of 17-year-old Marvin Wells and resulted in two others who were wounded. Police are searching for 19-year-old Julius Glass Junior and 18-year-old Kera Wolbers on murder charges.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser fully supports Governor Landry’s decision to halt the three billion dollar Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project. Nungesser says it was way too costly…

Cut 13 (13) “…we building it”

Former Congressman Garret Graves says stopping the Mid Barataria Sediment Diversion is a major setback for the coast.

ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

LRN AM Newscall July 21

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is one of the most well-liked politicians in the state and she’s facing a big decision according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Jeanne Burns has more…

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeanne Burns”

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A Morgan City woman is working on a feature film about the first woman ever executed in the State of Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 2 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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ESPN+ voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says Louisiana Tech will be a school Sun Belt fans love to hate. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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The big question in Louisiana politics is Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s next move. That’s according to The Advocate’s political reporter Tyler Bridges. Bridges says Letlow has three different options in front of her…run for re-election, challenge Bill Cassidy in next year’s U-S Senate race or put her hat into the ring as the next president of LSU…

Cut 4 (14) “…of LSU.”

If she decides to challenge Bill Cassidy in the Republican Primary, a decision is needed soon, because qualifying is in January.

The LSU presidential search committee is expected to begin its work next month, with the hope of naming a new president by the end of the year. Bridges says Letlow would be an outside-the-box candidate to lead LSU…

Cut 5 (10) “…Monroe.”

Bridges reports Letlow recently moved to Baton Rouge, and her home in Richland Parish is up for sale. Bridges says Letlow would not speak to him for this article, but he spoke with dozens of others, who believe if President Trump endorses Letlow for U-S Senate, she’ll get into the Senate race…

Cut 6 (13) “…Senator Cassidy.”

Senator Cassidy was invited to the White House on Friday to celebrate the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. But the President expressed his displeasure with Cassidy following his 2021 vote to convict Trump for the January sixth attack on the U-S Capitol.

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A Morgan City filmmaker is developing a feature film about the first woman ever executed in Louisiana. Ada Leboeuf was hanged in St. Mary Parish in 1929, along with her family physician, Dr. Tom Dreher, in connection with the murder of her husband. Matison LeBlanc learned of her story while attending film school at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and decided that she wanted to tell her story in her project entitled “Ada and the Doc.” LeBlanc says Leboeuf had maintained her innocence right up until the moment she was executed.

Cut 7 (07) “…for 15 minutes.”

For her senior year project, LeBlanc and her team produced a 15-minute short, and to say that it was a huge hit is putting it very mildly.

Cut 8 (09) “…thing can happen.”

And that got LeBlanc to move forward with the full-length feature film. The only thing is, it requires money, and it does not grow on trees.

Cut 9 (08)  “…to seven-million.”

LeBlanc is looking to produce “Ada and the Doc” in Louisiana to take advantage of the state’s 40-percent film tax incentive. Her goal is to begin shooting in the summer of 2026 and begin the festival run, including the Cannes Film Festival, in 2027.

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The fallout from Louisiana Tech joining the Sun Belt is yet to be seen, but ESPN+ voice of the Cajuns, Dan McDonald, says so far, it’s all positive. While some fans may hold old grudges, McDonald says it’s time university officials let bygones be bygones.

Cut 10 (14) “…people engaged.”

McDonald encouraged fans to keep their passion, however. He says historic, personal rivalries are what have made college football into what it is today, and there’s no better example than the in-state battles LA Tech’s addition will revive.

Cut 11 (12) “…to watch that.”

McDonald says Louisiana Tech makes even more sense geographically than Texas State did. In an era of national conference realignment and expansion, he says the Sun Belt is built to stay together.

Cut 12 (08) “…great deal.”

LA Tech will make the official move in 2026 or 2027

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is hailing the cancellation of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project. The lieutenant governor, who was the president of Plaquemines Parish before being elected to his current office, says the project was ineffective as the budget soared into the stratosphere.

Cut 13 (13)  “…we building it?”

Nungesser says not only was the project a waste of money, but it was also a waste of time.

Cut 14 (12) “…protecting our coast.”

The project is being replaced with a smaller scale project called the Myrtle Grove project, which Nungesser says will achieve the goal in a much more cost-effective way.

Cut 15 (11) “…growth is good.”

Former Congressman Garret Graves once led the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. In a statement, he says the cancellation will result in one of the largest setbacks for the coast and the protection of coastal communities in decades.

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11:30 AM Newscast

In a long-threatened move, Republicans have withdrawn all federal funding from PBS and NPR stations. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Cut 3 (06) “…and share ideas.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the lieutenant governors are discussing a wide range of topics affecting their respective states.

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Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career tonight versus Max Holloway. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

Poirier has defeated Holloway twice before.

The SEC preseason poll released Friday has LSU finishing in fourth, close behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots, and there’s a clear cutoff between he top four teams and the rest of the field. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says the Tigers need to finish better than predicted.

Cut 13 (11)  “…finish fourth.”

10:30 AM Newscast

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.  He says they’ll be discussing a wide range of topics affecting their respective states.

Cut 4 (12) “…do with that.”

Republicans had been trying to cut off all federal funding for PBS and NPR for years and they’ve finally made it happen. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says the broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since in the last fifty years.

Cut 11 (11) “…that are left.”

The bill that strips more than one-billion dollars from public TV and radio is now awaiting the president’s signature

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The SEC preseason poll released yesterday has left LSU fans shocked as the Tigers are projected to finish fourth.  And South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was voted preseason first team All-SEC over LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, another big surprise for another shocking decision for Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne.

Cut 15 (10) “…by that one.”

The poll has Texas, Georgia and Alabama finishing in the top three spots.

Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier closes out his career tonight taking on Max Holloway tonight at the Smoothie King Center.  Poirrier will be raising money for his The Good Fight Foundation, auctioning off everything he wears in his final fight to support the Lafayette area.
Cut 7 (11) “…the good fight.”

 

9:30 AM Newscast

The Smoothie King Center will host Lafayette native Dustin Poirier’s final UFC fight tonight. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The latest SEC preseason poll has LSU finishing in fourth, behind Texas, Georgia, and Alabama. But with the top incoming transfer class, Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne thinks LSU has enough to prove voters wrong.

Cut 14 (10) “…in the SEC.”

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Republicans did what they have long sought to do – they have cut off all federal funding to PBS and NPR stations to the tune of more than one-billion dollars. Senator John Kennedy was among those who led the push because of what he says is a liberal slant in PBS and NPR’s news coverage.

Cut 12 (12) “…the taxpayers’ dime.”

Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says all public radio and TV stations play an important role in their respective local communities.

Cut 10 (07) “…every single day.”

Kennedy said the broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded more than 50 years ago.

8:30 AM Newscast

In a long-threatened move, Republicans have withdrawn all federal funding from PBS and NPR stations. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Cut 3 (06) “…and share ideas.”

Lieutenant Governor Nungesser says the lieutenant governors are discussing a wide range of topics affecting their respective states.

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Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career tonight versus Max Holloway. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

Poirier has defeated Holloway twice before.

The SEC preseason poll released Friday has LSU finishing in fourth, close behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots, and there’s a clear cutoff between he top four teams and the rest of the field. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says the Tigers need to finish better than predicted.

Cut 13 (11)  “…finish fourth.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Republicans did what they have long sought to do – they have cut off all federal funding to PBS and NPR stations to the tune of more than one-billion dollars. Senator John Kennedy was among those who led the push because of what he says is a liberal slant in PBS and NPR’s news coverage.

Cut 12 (12) “…the taxpayers’ dime.”

Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says all public radio and TV stations play an important role in their respective local communities.

Cut 10 (07) “…every single day.”

Curtis says the loss in federal funding will hurt rural stations more than big city stations. He says KEDM will now have to make up 145-thousand dollars – about 22-percent of his station’s annual budget.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is in Lake Tahoe for the annual meeting of the National Lieutenant Governors Association, where they’re discussing a wide range of topics affecting their respective states.

Cut 4 (12) “…do with that.”

Nungesser says they started the new State Strategies Committee on Aerospace, which will advance aerospace, aviation and defense policy in the states and territories.

Saturday night marks the final night for former UFC interim lightweight champion and Lafayette native Dustin Poirier, as he takes on Max Holloway in the main event at the Smoothie King Center. Poirier says he’ll be auctioning off everything he wears in his final fight to support The Good Fight Foundation, his nonprofit benefiting the Lafayette community.

Cut 7 (11) “…the good fight.”

4:30 LRN Newscast

Republicans had been screaming for it for years; and finally, they got it – they have cut off all federal funding for PBS and NPR, stripping more than one-billion dollars from public TV and radio. Jay Curtis, the general manager at Monroe NPR station KEDM, says this is devastating to all NPR stations, especially his.

Cut 9 (10)  “…145-thousand dollars.”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy was among the Republicans who led the push to cut off federal funding to public broadcasting. In several floor speeches, including Wednesday, Kennedy said the broadcasting landscape has changed dramatically since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was founded more than 50 years ago.

Cut 11 (11) “…that are left.”

Lafayette native and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier is returning to Louisiana to call it a career Saturday night versus Max Holloway. It has been ten years since Poirier fought in his home state, but he says now is not the time for reminiscing.

Cut 6 (12) “…love Louisiana (cheers).”

This is the third time Poirier has fought Holloway, with Poirier winning the two previous bouts. The main event at the Smoothie King Center is at nine Saturday night.

Three Natchitoches teens are under arrest in connection with a mass shooting in the city earlier this month. 19-year-old Shadarious White and 18-year-old Jermaurion Simmons are charged with second degree murder and other charges, and 19-year-old Demarkcus Nicholas is charged with obstruction of justice. They’re arrested in connection with the shooting that killed 18-year-old Latravion Stallworth of Natchitoches and injured five others.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU was picked to finish fourth in the SEC preseason poll, just behind Alabama in third. Texas and Georgia took the top two spots in a rematch of last year’s SEC championship. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne thinks the folks in Atlanta got this one wrong.

Cut 14 (10) “…in the SEC.”

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was voted preseason All-SEC first team over LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who landed on the second team.

Cut 15 (10) “…by that one.”

LSU PA announcer Dan Borné is retiring after over 35 years as the voice of Tiger Stadium men’s basketball inside the P-MAC. Longtime voice of Alex Box Stadium, Bill Franques, took over duties last season when Borné took a leave of absence.

The Pelicans’ “sign one contract pick, get a free injury” promotion is still in effect. Thirteenth overall pick, Derik Queen, underwent successful wrist surgery on an injury suffered in a Summer League game against the Trailblazers. He will be reevaluated in 12 weeks, that’s just two weeks before the season is set to tip off.

Lafayette native Dustin Poirier will take on Max Holloway in his retirement fight Saturday. After a 16-year professional career, Poirier says he’s content with where the journey has brought him.

Cut 8 (10) “…in a good spot.”

The main event in the Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 9 p.m.

Conference USA gave Louisiana Tech a 75% chance to make a bowl game in its first Bowl Confidence Index. The mark ranked fourth in the league behind Liberty, Western Kentucky and Jax State. The Bulldogs also had four players named to the preseason CUSA watchlist: offensive linemen Landon Nelson and Hayden Christman, linebacker Kolbe Fields and defensive back Cedric Woods.