7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A quarterback that LSU was reportedly interested in signing has decided he will not transfer. So where do Lane Kiffin and company go from here? Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

A cold front is moving into Louisiana, and experts say we’re already seeing the effects with stormy weather, including the possibility of damaging winds and tornadoes. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow will be a transitional day before temperatures really start to plummet.

Cut 14 (10) “…Friday and Saturday.”

—————————

Two powerhouse groups that advocate for children and families in Louisiana are now one.  The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children January first. LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says this will allow the two policy organizations had worked together for years and…

Cut 5 (09) “…with successful children.”

It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit The Eat Fit King Cake is grain-free – it’s made with an almond flour and a coconut flour, giving it the texture of a bundt-style cake. It uses a plant-based sweetener and has no artificial colors…and it’s gluten-free.

Cut 11 (09) “…good on that.”

 

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU has yet to sign a quarterback and it is unclear who Q-B 1 will be in 2026. Demond Williams Junior seemed like he could be the guy, but the talented signal caller announced yesterday he’s staying at Washington.

 

Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt spent two days on LSU’s campus earlier this week, but he’s still at Tennessee after leaving Baton Rouge for Knoxville on Wednesday. On3 sports is reporting Tennessee has a legitimate chance at landing Leavitt.

 

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon University, an FCS school in North Carolina. Clark put up good numbers as a freshman, 23-hundred yards passing, six-hundred rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns.

 

LSU also offered junior college quarterback Tre Guerra, who threw for 38-hundred yards, 29 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions at Tyler Junior College.

_______________________________________________

LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis can stop doing double-duty. Weis has been Ole Miss’s play caller in the college football playoffs, but the Rebels’ run ended last night with a 31-27 loss to Miami. The Hurricanes will play the winner of tonight’s game between Indiana and Oregon for the national championship.

 

In basketball, the 12th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers looked more like themselves last night as they defeated Georgia 80-59. Flau’jae Johnson did not score in Sunday’s loss to Vanderbilt, but she scored 25 points last night and surpassed 18-hundred points for her career. LSU hosts second-ranked Texas on Sunday.

 

On the men’s side, the Ragin Cajuns outscored ULM 85 to 79. Joshua Lewis had 26 points to lead the way for U-L Lafayette.

 

Louisiana Tech’s nine game home winning streak came to an end with a 72-56 loss to Liberty.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Two organizations that advocate for children and families in Louisiana join forces. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, beginning January 1st LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the two organizations had worked closely together for years, including launching the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative in 2021.

Cut 4 (13) “…Geaux Far Louisiana work.”

A high-profile quarterback that LSU reportedly had interest in signing has decided to stay at his current school. Demond Williams Jr. announced yesterday he’s staying at Washington. Earlier this week, it seemed like former Arizona State Q-B Sam Leavitt was the Tigers top target. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Glenn Guilbeau says there may still be some interest there, but …

Cut 7 (07) “…the summer, probably.”

——————–

I hope you took advantage of the great weather this week, because change is coming by the end of this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit says Ochsner Health introduced the healthier King Cake about four years ago.

Cut 10 (08) “…the grocery stores.”

 

LRN AM Newscall January 9

A quarterback that LSU was reportedly interested in signing has decided he will not transfer. So where do Lane Kiffin and company go from here? Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

King Cake season is underway in Louisiana, and Colleen Crain says a healthy option is once again available.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

I hope you took advantage of the great weather this week, because change is coming by the end of this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________

Two organizations that advocate for children and families in Louisiana join forces. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, effective at the beginning of this year. LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the two organizations had worked closely together for years, including launching the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative in 2021.

Cut 4 (13) “…Geaux Far Louisiana work.”

Sonnier says the merger of the two policy organizations will help it continue the course they had been on for years.

Cut 5 (09) “…with successful children.”

Sonnier says the merger will be beneficial from a financial standpoint as well, with the organization being able to maximize the limited funds it has.

Cut 6 (08) “…State of Louisiana.”

________________________________________________________

A high-profile quarterback that LSU reportedly had interest in signing has decided to stay at his current school. Demond Williams Jr. announced on Tuesday night that he was entering the transfer portal, but last night he announced he’s staying at Washington. Earlier this week, it seemed like former Arizona State Q-B Sam Leavitt was the Tigers top target. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU could see if Leavitt is still interested in the Tigers, but there is a health concern. 

Cut 7 (07) “…the summer, probably.”

Leavitt has been visiting Tennessee since Wednesday after spending a couple of days at LSU earlier this week.

Guilbeau says the transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU still has not signed a quarterback…

Cut 8 (09) “…at Ole Miss.”

If Kiffin fails to land Leavitt, he’s either going to have to dig deep into the portal or sign someone out of high school, since LSU does not have a single scholarship quarterback on the roster at this time. Guilbeau says Kiffin and company have proven that they can work magic with quarterbacks.

Cut 9 (09)  “…quite a quarterback.”

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon. Clark threw for 23-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 641 yards and 11 touchdowns for the FSC.

______________________________________________________________

It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit says Ochsner Health introduced the healthier King Cake about four years ago.

Cut 10 (08) “…the grocery stores.”

The Eat Fit King Cake is grain-free – it’s made with an almond flour and a coconut flour, giving it the texture of a bundt-style cake. It uses a plant-based sweetener and has no artificial colors. Page says it’s also guaranteed gluten-free.

Cut 11 (09) “…good on that.”

Page says the Eat Fit King Cake is available at more places than ever this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…one in Arkansas.”

They’re also available at all Ochsner cafes. To find a retailer near you, go to Eat Fit King Cake-dot-com.

_____________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed the heavenly temperatures over the last few days, because potentially severe storms are on the way. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm risk starts today.

Cut 13 (06)  “…winds and tornadoes.”

All this, as a cold front comes through the state. Keim says tomorrow will be a transitional day before temperatures really start to plummet. 

Cut 14 (10) “…Friday and Saturday.”

Keim says as you make your way into work in the early part of next week, you’ll want to bring your jacket with you, as overnight lows will get down into the 30s.

Cut 15 (09) “…in those temperatures.”

______________________________________________________________

 

Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity (2x).”

 

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

 

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.” 

_________________________________________________________

 

Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”

 

Cut 20 (12) “…back to winning.”

5:30 LRN Newscast

Two groups team up to wipe out 22-million dollars worth of medical debt for some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Undue Medical Debt bought the debt, and Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay) with the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation says the foundation chose the beneficiaries based on certain qualifications.

Cut 5 (11) “…month to month.”

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

Louisiana has become the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards from Business Facilities.

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry officially took office. Jeff Palermo looks back at the first half of his four-term.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says a child has died from the flu. It is not releasing any details about the patient due to privacy concerns. Flu activity is in the very high category in all but two states in the country. The CDC says there are about 11-million flu cases across the country, including about five-thousand deaths.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

On Thursday morning, LSU football picked up its 13th and 14th total transfer portal additions to the 2026 cycle. The first commitment of the day came from sophomore defensive lineman Malik Blocton of Auburn. Blocton was rated as the No. 11 defensive lineman in the portal. The second commitment of the day came from red shirt freshman defensive end Jaylen Brown of South Carolina. Brown is unranked in the portal and was coached by new LSU defensive line coach Sterling Lucas last season.

LSU senior safety Jardin Gilbert and freshman defensive tackle Walter Mathis Jr are entering the transfer portal. Mathis had re-signed with LSU just four days ago.

The 2026 LSU baseball team was ranked as the No. 1 team in the Perfect Game Baseball preseason poll. The Tigers are one of nine SEC teams in the Top-25.

The LSU women’s basketball team looks to win their first SEC game of the season tonight as the Tigers take on Georgia in Athens at 5:30 p.m. Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson is probable after rolling her ankle against Vanderbilt.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis spoke to the media following the team’s 6-and-11 season. New Orleans holds the eighth pick in this year’s draft. After drafting a talented 2025 rookie class, Loomis believes the front office will be able to take a different approach in the draft than they did last year.

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.”

Southern redshirt sophomore running back Trey Holly announced on his social media that he will not enter the transfer portal and will remain at Southern for 2026 to play for new head coach Marshall Faulk.

In men’s basketball tonight, Louisiana Tech hosts Liberty at 6 p.m. and UL-Lafayette hosts ULM at 7:30 p.m.

Ole Miss will look to continue its historic season tonight as the Rebels take on Miami in the Fiesta Bowl at 6:30 p.m.

4:30 PM LRN Newscast

An East Carroll Parish elementary school teacher is missing and hasn’t been seen since just before Christmas and the Sheriff’s office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Carlton Keyon Osborn, a teacher at Lake Providence Elementary. He was last seen on December 23rd. Osborn is a 5’9”, black male weighing 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities believe he may be the Atlanta, Georgia area. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s office immediately at 318-559-2800.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of Jeff Landry’s inauguration as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024.

Cut 9 (11)  “…did it.”

A flat income tax rate of three percent went into effect on January 1st of last year.

17-thousand people in the 10-parish greater Baton Rouge area had their medical debt wiped out. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars of medical debt. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay) with the foundation says Undue Medical Debt bought the debt, and the foundation chose the beneficiaries based on qualifications.

Cut 4 (08) “…family’s annual income.”

Louisiana is the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards from Business Facilities. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish and Louisiana Department of Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the mill will be innovative in every way.

Cut 7 (10) “…steel that exists.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish.

3:30 PM LRN Newscast

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024. His first year in office also saw the passage of a bill requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools which is still awaiting a court ruling on its constitutionality. Pinsonat expects Landry to focus more on economic development in the next two years of his term.

Cut 10 (12) “…get involved in.” 

The publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish in naming the Platinum Deal of the Year making Louisiana the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards. Department of Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says now the big challenge is to do it again.

Cut 8 (06) “…looking at it.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish. Bourgeois says the two projects speak to the diversity of the economic development projects happening in the state.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters could legally hunt black bears.

Cut 26 (14) “…that area.”

2:30 PM LRN Newscast

17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area have had their medical debt erased. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase 22-million dollars in debt for struggling families. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

 

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

 

She says it’s the first steel mill built in the U.S. in 60 years and she says they’ll be using the cleanest production methods.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of Governor Jeff Landry’s inauguration as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry has done a good job in getting most of his legislative agenda approved. The Louisiana Senate failed to go along with his idea for a constitutional convention, and Landry has received criticism for getting too involved in LSU athletics, the firing of A-D Scott Woodward and having a live tiger on the field for the 2024 Alabama game. Pinsonat says those missteps have not hurt him too much.

Cut 11 (07) “…been involved in.”

 

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

LRN PM Newscall January 8

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

Two years ago today, Governor Jeff Landry officially took office. Jeff Palermo looks back at the first half of his four-term.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

It’s a late Christmas gift for some 17-thousand people in the greater Baton Rouge area. The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation and Undue Medical Debt teamed up to erase their medical debt, totaling 22-million dollars. Tristi Charpentier (SHARP-in-tay), the vice president of people-centered initiatives at the foundation, says those people didn’t have to do anything – the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt took the first step.

Cut 3 (06) “…third-party debt collectors.”

Charpentier says the foundation researched the people who owed the debts to determine which ones met its qualifications to have those debts wiped out.

Cut 4 (08) “…family’s annual income.”

Charpentier says in the ten-parish Capitol area, there are many people who could use the assistance when faced with medical expenses.

Cut 5 (11) “…month to month.”

While the endowed foundation has donated more than 90-million dollars to increase access to healthcare in the region over the last 25 years, this is the first time it has done a medical debt relief program.

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development is celebrating the state’s second straight Platinum Deal of the Year. This year, the publication Business Facilities singled out the Hyundai Steel mill in Ascension Parish for its top honor. Secretary Susan Bourgeois says one of the biggest wins with that project was Hyundai building it in Louisiana in the first place.

Cut 6 (06) “…ultimately choosing us.”

Bourgeois says the Hyundai Steel mill will be innovative in every way.

Cut 7 (10) “…steel that exists.”

Louisiana has become the first state to win two straight Platinum Deal of the Year awards from Business Facilities. Bourgeois says now the big challenge is to do it again.

Cut 8 (06) “…looking at it.”

Last year’s Platinum Deal of the Year was the Meta A-I data center in Richland Parish. Bourgeois says the two projects speak to the diversity of the economic development projects going on in the state.

____________________________________________

Today marks the two-year anniversary of when Jeff Landry was sworn in as the state’s 57th governor. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry’s biggest accomplishment was the tax reform legislation he urged legislators to approve in 2024.

Cut 9 (11)  “…did it.”

A flat income tax rate of three percent went into effect on January 1st, 2025.

One month after he took office in January 2024, Landry called a special session that resulted in several tough on crime bills being passed, including legislation that rolled back reforms approved in 2017.

His first year in office also saw the passage of a bill that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The courts have yet to rule if that legislation is constitutional, but the governor also signed bills that prohibits public school teachers from discussing sexual orientation, and a transgender bathroom ban was enacted. Pinsonat says Landry will focus more on economic development in the next two years of his term.

Cut 10 (12) “…get involved in.” 

Pinsonat says Landry has done a good job in getting most of his legislative agenda approved. The Louisiana Senate failed to go along with his idea for a constitutional convention, and Landry has received criticism for getting too involved in LSU athletics, the firing of A-D Scott Woodward and having a live tiger on the field for the 2024 Alabama game. Pinsonat says those missteps have not hurt him too much.

Cut 11 (07) “…been involved in.”