7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Heartbreaking news for Louisiana and the world of baseball as legendary baseball coach Skip Bertman passes away at the age of 88.  Bertman took a program that had very little interest on the LSU campus and produced five national championships in the 1990s. After his Hall of Fame coaching career, he served as athletic director in the 2000s, where he hired Les Miles and Paul Mainieri, both of them went on to win championships.

LSU sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett will not be changing his number five despite the reaction from Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels. Here’s Jeff Palermo.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Amid the cyclospora outbreak, restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to reassure diners that the produce they serve is safe. Scott Henderson, the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette-based Salad Station, says whereas the lettuce responsible for the outbreak was imported from Mexico, his company’s lettuce is not imported from any foreign country.

Cut 10 (08) “…is always domestic.”

The Ochsner Transplant Institute completed its ten-thousandth organ transplant dating back to the Gulf South’s first heart transplant in 1970. That milestone puts the institute among the top 40 transplant centers in the country; and Institute Director Dr. Ari Cohen says it is a deeply personal vocation.

Cut 4 (11) “…with us lifelong.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Very sad news to report this morning as legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman has passed away at the age of 88. Bertman took a program that had very little interest on the LSU campus and produced five national championships in the 1990s. After his Hall of Fame coaching career, he served as athletic director in the 2000s, where he hired Les Miles and Paul Mainieri, both of them went on to win championships.

Sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett says he will wear the number five jersey despite a cease and desist letter sent by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels is upset another LSU player is wearing the number he wore.

So why is number five so important to Pickett? Koki Riley of the Advocate says Pickett and his ten siblings have worn the number five, since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan…

Cut 8 (12) “….point of pride”

 

The Saints will have a walk-through today in the Superdome ahead of their preseason opener tomorrow afternoon against the Jacksonville Jaguars. New Orleans held a joint practice with the Jags yesterday. It was a good day for quarterback Tyler Shough who completed 25 of 34 passes with four touchdowns. But rookie receiver Jordan Tyson left practice early with a lower body injury, but the injury is believed to be minor.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin is known as someone who likes to go for it on fourth down. Kiffin says you are seeing more coaches being aggressive on fourth down…

Cut 17 (19) “…time to change”

LSU receiver Winnie Watkins was not at practice for a third consecutive day yesterday. Kiffin says he does not comment on individual injuries during the preseason, but said he hopes he’ll return soon.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

One of the most influential figures in the history of college sports has died. Stanley “Skip” Bertman, the legendary architect of LSU baseball passed away early this morning at the Baton Rouge General with his daughters by his side.  Bertman, who was beloved by his players and fans, won five national championships and seven Southeastern Conference titles during his 18 years leading the Tigers.  Skip Bertman was 88 years old.

LSU cornerback D.J. Pickett plans to keep his number five jersey despite backlash from former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who last wore the number. The Advocate’s Koki Riley spoke with Pickett’s father and says if anyone is backing down, it will be the Daniels camp.

Cut 7 (12) “…this whole thing.”

Riley says number five has become a standard for Pickett and his ten siblings since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan.

——————————

Restaurants are going the extra mile these days to ensure their produce is safe amid the cyclospora outbreak. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. A new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024.  IATSE (eye-AT-zee) Local 478 Business Agent Simonette Berry says we’re not just competing against California and Georgia anymore.

Cut 14 (09) “…60-percent incentive.”

LRN AM Newscall August 14

The Ochsner Transplant Institute performed its ten-thousandth organ transplant, becoming the only transplant center in Louisiana to reach the milestone. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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LSU sophomore cornerback D.J. Pickett will not be changing his number five amidst a controversy with Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to ensure their produce is safe amid the cyclospora outbreak. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

The Ochsner Transplant Institute completed its ten-thousandth organ transplant dating back to the Gulf South’s first heart transplant in 1970. That milestone puts the institute among the top 40 transplant centers in the country; and Institute Director Dr. Ari Cohen says it is a deeply personal vocation.

Cut 4 (11) “…with us lifelong.”

Cohen says the transplant program has grown exponentially in recent years, striving to stay on the cutting edge with robotic-assisted kidney transplants and pediatric heart and living-donor lung transplants. He says there are still over 100-thousand people across the country and two-thousand Louisianians waiting for a life-saving transplant.

Cut 5 (11) “…alive and well.”

Cohen says becoming an organ donor is a selfless act that can help save a life.

Cut 6 (13) “…supposed to live.”

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LSU cornerback D.J. Pickett does not have any intention of changing his number-five jersey despite backlash from former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who last wore the number. The Advocate’s Koki Riley spoke with Pickett’s father and says if anyone is backing down, it will be the Daniels camp.

Cut 7 (12) “…this whole thing.”

Pickett became the first Tiger to wear the number of a previous LSU Heisman-winner when he switched his number from three to five last week. Riley says LSU promised he could have the number when he asked all of the schools recruiting him if it was available. Riley says number five has become a standard for Pickett and his ten siblings since his oldest brother Jaylen wore it at Eastern Michigan.

Cut 8 (12) “…point of pride.”

Riley says the number is important to Pickett, but he still stuck around through a season at LSU and a coaching change while wearing number three. He says the Pickett family has appreciated Lane Kiffin’s willingness to stick by them and honor LSU’s promise but is upset by the situation it has left the sophomore in.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the first place.”

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Amid the cyclospora outbreak, restaurants – especially those which specialize in salads – are going the extra mile to reassure diners that the produce they serve is safe. Scott Henderson, the co-founder and CEO of Lafayette-based Salad Station, says whereas the lettuce responsible for the outbreak was imported from Mexico, his company’s lettuce is not imported from any foreign country.

Cut 10 (08) “…is always domestic.”

Henderson says the company has been in close contact with all of its suppliers throughout the entire ordeal.

Cut 11 (09) “…tracing it back.”

Henderson also notes that none of the lettuce or any of the other ingredients arrive at the stores pre-cut – everything is cut in the open, in clear view of the customers. He says despite heightened communication with customers, sales have been down since the outbreak started, and he’s afraid of another consequence.

Cut 12 (07) “…impacts on health.”

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Louisiana is losing film industry jobs at an alarming rate. Citing numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a new report from Giggster says Louisiana had the highest percentage of decline in film industry jobs since 2024 at more than 32-percent, and it had the fourth most total job losses from 2024 to 2025. IATSE (eye-AT-zee) Local 478 Business Agent Simonette Berry says Louisiana is in danger of losing a good chunk of what it had worked hard to build up in recent years.

Cut 13 (13)  “…infrastructure already here.”

Berry says with many countries offering aggressive tax incentives, Louisiana is not just competing with California and Georgia anymore.

Cut 14 (09) “…60-percent incentive.”

Berry says in order to remain competitive in the film arena, Louisiana needs to do what it can to keep pace with the tax credits that other states and other countries are offering to lure these jobs away.

Cut 15 (09) “…years in advance.”

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LSU coach Lane Kiffin says his team still has not started tackling, but he’s liked what he’s seen so far during fall camp.

Cut 16 (10) “…and playing physical.”

The Tigers hold their first scrimmage of preseason practice tomorrow. The team put on full pads for the first time this week, and Kiffin says there is a lot more work to be done.

Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. are known for their aggressive play calling, especially on fourth down. Kiffin says his teams have led the trend of going for it on fourth down more often, and they’re starting to see that replicated across the country.

Cut 17 (19) “…time to change.”

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LSU left tackle Jordan Seaton was a five-star addition out of the transfer portal this offseason. He has gotten a lot of practice reps against two more top transfer additions — edge rushers Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross. He says they compliment each other well.

Cut 18 (13) “..honest every day.”

The Tigers ranked bottom in the SEC in both rushing yards and touchdowns last season. Seaton says changing that is a top priority.

Cut 19 (14) “…on my stance.”

Coach Lane Kiffin’s 2025 Ole Miss team led the league in rushing touchdowns and was second in total rushing yards.

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The Saints kick off their preseason versus the Jaguars tomorrow. Former LSU receiver Barion Brown has been one of the stars of training camp, and he’ll play a big role as both a pass catcher and returner with the starters out tomorrow. Receiver Chris Olave says Brown reminds him a lot of former Saint Rashid Shaheed.

Cut 20 (13) “…and his future.”

Kickoff in the Superdome is at three p.m.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

An attorney for LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness after the Tigers issued his number-five jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says has a point…

Cut 9 (11)  “…strong argument.”

Coach Lane Kiffin said Pickett was promised the number five by the  previous coaching staff during his recruitment, and he wanted to honor that promise.

 

A former police officer accused of plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest back in April is a free man after a grand jury declines to indict him. 45-year-old Christopher Gillum was released from jail on June 30th after Attorney General Liz Murrill dropped the charges against him. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says while Gillum is off the hook for now, that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of the woods.

Cut 5 (13) “…jury for rec

 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will not require Meta to provide exact numbers on how many people will work at the AI data center in Richland Parish and how much energy it will use. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A 69 year old Opelousas man is dead after police say he was attacked by two dogs early yesterday morning. Authorities say Horace Brooks was walking down South Court Street just after midnight when Kimberly Faulk arrived home with her dogs.  Authorities say Faulk’s been charged with negligent homicide.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett addressed the cease-and-desist letter former LSU Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels’ attorney sent LSU after he felt disrespected the team gave his old number five to Pickett.

Cut 21(09)  “…so that’s all.”

No other LSU player has worn the number of a Heisman-winning Tiger. Coach Lane Kiffin stood by his comments last week that he felt he owed the number to Pickett after it was promised to him by the previous coaching staff. Daniels said in an Instagram post that he is focused on Commanders training camp and he hopes his team and LSU can resolve everything privately.

Eighth-overall pick Jordyn Tyson left the Saints’ joint practice with the Jaguars early with a lower-body injury. New-Orleans-dot-football reported rumors it was a hamstring injury that did not seem severe, but head coach Kellen Moore said the team would know more soon. Tyson jogged off under his own power. The wide receiver dealt with a hamstring injury leading up to and after the draft.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin said transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt has settled into his role with the team. He said Leavitt was excited to show his teammates what he could do when he returned from injury.

Cut 22 (08) “…quarterback position.”

LSU wide receiver Winston Watkins was not seen at a third straight practice session open to media. Kiffin says he does not comment on individual injuries, but Watkins was having a good camp and they hope he returns soon.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Tyler Shough had a positive day during the team’s practice with Jacksonville. Shough says he is building a special connection with receiver Chris Olave.

Cut 20 (08) “…top notch.”

The Pelicans announced their schedule for this season. New Orleans tips off the season October 21 at home against the Pacers. Their two games against the Spurs in Europe are their only nationally televised games.

4:30 LRN Newscast

Former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels is not happy that his number 5 has been reissued. His attorney has sent the school a cease and desist letter demanding that the school stop using his name, image and likeness. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says it may not be entirely Lane Kiffin’s fault, this is just another controversy for a coach steeped in it.

Cut 11 (12) “…for his player.”

Kiffin spoke today about the controversy and stands by what he said last week and that is Pickett was promised by the previous coaching staff that he will wear number five at LSU. Pickett gave his own brief statement…

Cut 12 (10) “…that’s all”

Daniels released a statement that said he hopes his team and LSU can work this out privately.

 

A former police officer who was allegedly plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest earlier this year quietly had the charges against him dropped back in June. A grand jury in Louisiana declined to indict 45-year-old Christopher Gillum for terrorizing, after he was found at a Florida hotel in April with a handgun and several rounds of ammunition. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino on what happened here

Cut 3 (13) “…crime of terrorizing.”

Several members of the public testified in front of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, urging the panel to require Meta to provide more details on permanent jobs for the data center in Richland Parish and how much energy it plans to use…

Cut 8 (10) “…greater harm”

Meta has said the data center will create one-thousand permanent jobs and the tech giant has said it will pay for its own power.

LRN PM Newscall

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will not require Meta to provide exact numbers on how many people will work at the AI data center in Richland Parish and how much energy it will use. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Former LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels feels disrespected that another LSU player will wear the number five jersey this season. Joe Gallinaro reports a cease-and-desist letter has been sent to the university asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

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A former police officer who was allegedly plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest earlier this year quietly had the charges against him dropped back in June. A grand jury in Louisiana declined to indict 45-year-old Christopher Gillum for terrorizing, after he was found at a Florida hotel in April with a handgun and several rounds of ammunition. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says a grand jury proceeding is not a trial.

Cut 3 (13) “…crime of terrorizing.”

Ciolino says in contrast to a trial, where the standard is beyond a reasonable doubt, the standard in a grand jury proceeding is very low.

Cut 4 (14) “…support a prosecution.”

Gillum had been held without bond but was released on June 30th after Attorney General Liz Murrill dropped the charges against him. Ciolino says while Gillum is off the hook for now, that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of the woods.

Cut 5 (13) “…jury for reconsideration.”

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On a three to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission votes not to follow a judge’s recommendation that Meta should be required to provide exact job numbers and how much energy it plans to use for its massive data center in Richland Parish. Several members of the public urged the P-S-C to require Meta to release this information, including Sixth District Congressional candidate and Democrat Rubia Garcia…

Cut 6 (06) “…people of Louisiana”

But Republican PSC Member JP Coussan of Lafayette says there have been multiple media reports on the jobs that Meta is expected to create, not only during the construction phase, but also when the data center is operational…

Cut 7 (06) “…to manufacturing”

As far as energy usage goes, both Meta and Entergy say that the tech giant will pay for its own power and it will not lead to higher electric bills for residents and businesses in Louisiana. But there are many in the public who are not convinced, including James Hyatt of Lake Charles

Cut 8 (10) “…greater harm.”

It was a party line vote, with the three Republicans on the Commission voting to override the judge’s recommendation and the lone Democrat, Davante Lewis, voted to have Meta release this information.

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An attorney for LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels sent a cease-and-desist letter to LSU asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness after the Tigers issued his number-five jersey to sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Pickett is the first Tiger to be issued the number of the 2023 Heisman winner.

Cut 9 (11)  “…strong argument.”

Coach Lane Kiffin said Pickett was promised the number five by the  previous coaching staff during his recruitment, and he wanted to honor that promise. Guilbeau says Daniels did not approve of Pickett wearing the number, but he understands why Kiffin allowed it.

Cut 10 (10) “…about it (x2).” 

The letter informs LSU that it can no longer use Daniels’ name, image or likeness. Guilbeau says it is a bad look for the university and although it may not be entirely Kiffin’s fault, this is just another controversy for a coach steeped in it.

Cut 11 (12) “…for his player.”

A spokesperson for Daniels told ESPN his family is “deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected” by the situation. The letter was sent to LSU AD Verge Ausberry August 5, the first day of LSU fall practice.

Kiffin spoke with reporters today and had no additional comments to what he said last week, which was Pickett was promised the number five jersey during his recruitment and LSU should honor that commitment.

Pickett was made available to the media today and had a brief statement on the controversy…

Cut 12 (10) “…that’s all .” 

3:30 LRN Newscast

Former LSU Quarterback Jayden Daniels feels disrespected that another LSU player will wear the number five jersey this season. Joe Gallinaro reports a cease-and-desist letter has been sent to the university asking the school to stop using his name, image and likeness.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Daniels has released a statement which says he has a lot of gratitude for his time at LSU. He goes on to say, obviously there are issues that had to be worked out between his team and LSU and hopes they will get done privately.

 

A former police officer accused of plotting a mass shooting at Jazz Fest back in April is a free man after a grand jury declines to indict him. 45-year-old Christopher Gillum was released from jail on June 30th after Attorney General Liz Murrill dropped the charges against him. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says while Gillum is off the hook for now, that doesn’t mean he’s completely out of the woods.

Cut 5 (13) “…jury for reconsideration.”

On a three to one vote, the Louisiana Public Service Commission votes not to follow a judge’s recommendation that Meta should be required to provide exact job numbers and how much energy it plans to use for its massive data center in Richland Parish. Several members of the public urged the P-S-C to require Meta to release this information, including Democratic congressional candidate Rubia Garcia.

Cut 6 (06) “…people of Louisiana?”

2:30 LRN Newscast

The attorney for LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels has sent LSU a cease-and-desist letter, saying the school cannot use his name, image and likeness because Daniels feels disrespected that sophomore D-J Pickett is wearing his former number five. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says Lane Kiffin was asked about the controversy today and stood by his earlier comments that Pickett was promised number five during recruiting…
Cut 10 (10) “…about it” (2x)

Pickett spoke today and says he’s wearing number five.

A former police officer accused of plotting a mass shooting at JazzFest in April is off the hook for now. Attorney General Liz Murrill dropped terrorizing charges against 45-year-old Christopher Gillum after a grand jury declined to indict him. Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino…
Cut 4 (14) “…support a prosecution.”

The Public Service Commission voted to allow Meta to keep details about its planned Richland Parish data center private. A judge had recommended Meta disclose the number of jobs it will create and how much energy it will use. But Republican P-S-C Commissioner J-P Coussan says there’s already plenty of information about the jobs the project will create…
Cut 7 (06) “…to manufacturing”

Meta and Entergy say Meta will pay for its own power and the data center won’t increase electric bills. But Lake Charles resident James Hyatt isn’t convinced…
Cut 8 (10) “…greater harm.”