4:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans’ quest to host the Super Bowl in 2031 is in jeopardy, but all hope is not lost.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Laplace man has pleaded to guilty to the 2016 murder of a Raising Cain’s manager in Kenner. Authorities say surveillance video shows Joshua Every stabbing 21-year-old Taylor Friloux multiple times during a robbery. Every avoids a trial by pleading guilty and the possibility of receiving the death penalty.

 

Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the Eastern Atlantic, and it’s forecast to become just the second hurricane of 2025. Like the first one, Erin, it’s expected to stay well clear of the U.S. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because of what’s known as the “Bermuda High.”

Cut 6 (12) “…the East Coast.”

Today marks two years since the 128-million dollar rehabilitation project of Interstate 20 in Bossier City began. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says she understands drivers’ frustrations with the long-term construction zone; but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Cut 10 (12) “…early next year.”

Buchanan says so far they’ve used 20-thousand tons of asphalt and 160-thousand square yards of concrete pavement.

3:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans’ chances of hosting the Super Bowl in 2031 are in serious jeopardy. The Saints and the state have missed a key deadline to bid on hosting the game that year, which is the earliest that the Super Bowl can return to the city. Greg Bensel with the Saints says the big holdup has been the ongoing negotiations on a lease extension for the state-owned Superdome.

Cut 3 (10) “…is very close.”

A major milestone for the I-20 project in Bossier City, as the project marks two years since reconstruction got underway. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchahan says the project should be completed either by the end of this year or by February of next year. Until then, there are still a few major things left to do.

Cut 11 (10) “…currently being paved.”

We could be just a few short weeks away from being out of hurricane danger for 2025 and we can thank a Bermuda High. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Longtime Lafayette Prosecutor Gary Haynes is convicted on all counts in his federal bribery case. Haynes was found guilty of conspiring to solicit bribes and kickbacks during his time at the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The jury took less than three hours to render its verdict. Haynes faces up to 65 years in federal prison.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The Saints want to host the Super Bowl again in 2031, but the team needs to extend its lease for the Superdome with the state beyond the current deal, which expires in 2030. Team spokesperson Greg Bensel says they are trying to make that happen…

Cut 5 (07) “…in the NFL”

Bensel is hopeful a new lease agreement can be announced with the state in a few days.

There are several major projects underway at LSU. Interim President Matt Lee says the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building will open next year, and the school is also working to meet the housing demand, given record enrollment.

Cut 12 (13) “…modern academic centerpiece.”

 

Tropical Storm Gabrielle is expected to become a hurricane early next week, but just like Erin earlier this year, it will stay out in the middle of the Atlantic. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a weak Bermuda high is keeping these storms away from the United States…

Cut 8 (12) “…Atlantic Ocean”

2015 was the last time the U-S did not have a hurricane make landfall along its coast.

A major milestone for the I-20 project in Bossier City, as the project marks two years since reconstruction got underway. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchahan says the roadway had not been rebuilt since it was first constructed in the 1960s and had outlived its usefulness.

Cut 9 (08)  “…all with new.”

Buchanan says construction could wrap up late this year or early next year.

LRN PM Newscall

New Orleans’ quest to host the Super Bowl in 2031 is in jeopardy, but all hope is not lost. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

___________________________________________________

We could be just a few short weeks away from being out of hurricane danger for 2025 and we can thank a Bermuda High. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

___________________________________________________

New Orleans’ chances of hosting the Super Bowl in 2031 are in serious jeopardy. The Saints and the state have missed a key deadline to bid on hosting the game that year, which is the earliest that the Super Bowl can return to the city – sites for the next three Super Bowls have already been established, and the Super Bowl in 2030 conflicts with Mardi Gras. Greg Bensel with the Saints says the big holdup has been the ongoing negotiations on a lease extension for the state-owned Superdome.

Cut 3 (10) “…is very close.”

The reason the team needs to resolve the lease before bidding on the Super Bowl is that the current lease expires at the end of 2030, Bensel says it would be in everyone’s best interest to get a deal done, since the partnership has been, in every way, a public-private one.

Cut 4 (09) “…for the state.”

Bensel says the team, the city and the state want to bring the Super Bowl back to New Orleans — and the feeling is shared by the NFL.

Cut 5 (07) “…in the NFL.”

Bensel says if New Orleans fails to land the 2031 Super Bowl, the next opportunity to land the game would not come until 2038.

________________________________________________

Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed yesterday in the Eastern Atlantic, and it’s forecast to become just the second hurricane of 2025. Like the first one, Erin, it’s expected to stay well clear of the U.S. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because of what’s known as the “Bermuda High.” 

Cut 6 (12) “…the East Coast.”

Keim says this year’s hurricane season is very reminiscent of the hurricane seasons of 1951 and 1952.

Cut 7 (11) “…the northern Gulf.”

Keim says the Bermuda High this year is weak, which is good for the Gulf Coast…

Cut 8 (12) “..Atlantic Ocean.”

2015 was the last time the U-S did not have hurricane make landfall along its coast.

________________________________________________

A major milestone for the I-20 project in Bossier City, as the project marks two years since reconstruction got underway. DOTD spokeswoman Erin Buchahan says the roadway had not been rebuilt since it was first constructed in the 1960s and had outlived its usefulness.

Cut 9 (08)  “…all with new.”

Buchanan says she understands drivers’ frustrations with the long-term construction zone; but the good news is, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Cut 10 (12) “…early next year.”

Buchanan says in the months left in the project, there are still a few major things left to do.

Cut 11 (10) “…currently being paved.”

The last thing in the project is to put in the striping.

1:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans’ quest to host the Super Bowl in 2031 is in jeopardy, but all hope is not lost. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Laplace man has received life in prison for stabbing a Raising Cain’s manager in Kenner. Authorities say surveillance video shows Joshua Every stabbing 21-year-old Taylor Friloux multiple times in the head, neck and chest areas during a robbery at the restaurant in 2016.

 

The 2025 hurricane season remains quiet. Tropical Storm Gabrielle is moving through the Eastern Atlantic, but this is another storm that’s expected to curve north and miss the United States. LSU health climatologist Barry Keim says we can thank a Bermuda High for keeping storms away and it’s reminiscent of the hurricane seasons in 1951 and 52…

Cut 7 (10) “….northern Gulf”

Keim says there are still 10 weeks left in the hurricane season, so we can’t let our guard down yet.

LSU’s freshmen class for the flagship campus in Baton Rouge is the largest incoming class in the school’s history. And LSU interim president Matt Lee says this class is the most academically accomplished.

Cut 10 (09) “…over last year.”

Lee says LSU Eunice, LSU Alexandria and LSU Shreveport also set enrollment records this year.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Saints would like to host the Super Bowl in 2031, but the team needs a new lease with the Superdome. The current one expires in 2030. Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel says it would be in everyone’s best interest to get a new lease that extends well beyond 2030, since the partnership has been  a public-private one.

Cut 4 (09) “…for the state.”

Bensel says they are close to reaching a new agreement with the state on a new lease.

Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the Eastern Atlantic, and it’s forecast to become just the second hurricane of 2025. Like the first one, Erin, it’s expected to stay well clear of the U.S. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that’s because of what’s known as the “Bermuda High.”

Cut 6 (12) “…the East Coast.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging caution after a fifth person has died of Vibrio vulnificus. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 17 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints would like to host the Super Bowl in 2031, but the team needs a new lease with the Superdome. The current one expires in 2030 and the NFL will not award a Super Bowl to a franchise that does that have a lease to play in that stadium for that season. Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel says it would be in everyone’s best interest to get a deal done, since the partnership has been, in every way, a public-private one.

Cut 4 (09) “…for the state.”

Bensel says they are close to reaching a new agreement with the state on a new lease and hopes an announcement can be made in the next few days.

The NCAA is eliminating the spring transfer portal window for college football. That means there will only be one transfer portal window, most likely in January.

 

LSU sophomore JuJuan Johnson believes he’s found a home at running back. The former Lafayette Christian star worked at quarterback in the spring, But when preseason camp rolled around, Johnson was back at running back where he played his freshman season…

Cut 17 (14) “….and stuff”

Johnson is getting more chances this year, but has yet to produce any “wow” moments like he did every Friday night for the LCA Knights.

U-L Lafayette is coming off an embarrassing 52-10 loss to Missouri, where the Cajuns offense only managed to pass for four total yards. U-L Lafayette ranks dead last in the country in passing offense. Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-moe) says that the Cajuns have to find a way to open up the pass offense.

Cut 19 (18) “…in rhythm.”

The Cajuns are at Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

11:30 LRN Newscast

New Orleans’ chances of hosting the Super Bowl in 2031 are in serious jeopardy. The Saints and the state have missed a key deadline to bid on hosting the game that year, which is the earliest that the Super Bowl can return to the city. Greg Bensel with the Saints says the big holdup has been the ongoing negotiations on a lease extension for the state-owned Superdome.

Cut 3 (10) “…is very close.”

There are several major projects underway at LSU. Interim President Matt Lee says the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building will open next year, and the school is also working to meet the housing demand, given record enrollment.

Cut 12 (13) “…modern academic centerpiece.”

It took nearly a decade, but deputies in Terrebonne Parish have arrested two men in connection with the murder of a woman. On December 1st, 2015, 56-year-old Pamela Johnson was shot to death. Her husband, 70-year-old Charles Johnson, was arrested, along with 43-year-old Shannon Robinson. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet (SOIN-yay) says it was only recently when detectives got their big break.

Cut 13 (12)  “…for financial gain.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging caution after a fifth person has died from Vibrio vulnificus. This year, 26 residents have been infected, 24 of whom have an underlying medical condition. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says there are certain medical conditions that increase the risk for severe complications.

Cut 5 (12) “…recent stomach surgery.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging caution after a fifth person has died from Vibrio vulnificus. Those five are among 26 Louisiana residents who have been infected by the bacteria that naturally live in coastal waters and are found in higher numbers in the warmer months of May through October. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says it’s a very seriousdisease.

Cut 4 (06) “…has required hospitalization.”

Of the 26 cases, 24 have had an underlying medical condition.

Nearly a decade after she was shot and killed, deputies in Terrebonne Parish have arrested two men in connection with the 2015 murder of 56-year-old Pamela Johnson. District Attorney Joseph Waitz says the Johnsons were going through a divorce at the time.

Cut 14 (07) “…very tragic.”

Recently discovered evidence led to the arrest of her husband, 70-year-old Charles Johnson, along with 43-year-old Shannon Robinson who Waitz says Johnson hired to kill his wife.

 

In an interview on a Baton Rouge radio station, U.S. Representative Julia Letlow says she is focusing on serving the 5th congressional district when asked about running for U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy will likely face three well-known Republican challengers in next April’s primary — state Treasurer John Fleming, State Senator Blake Miguez and PSC member Eric Skrmetta. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s far from a guarantee  Cassidy will be re-elected.

Cut 8 (07) “…going to do.”

LSU in Baton Rouge has its largest Freshman class in history and Interim president Matt Lee says for the first time in history, LSU’s research enterprise has crossed the 500-million mark.

Cut 11 (10) “…and talent development.”

9:30 AM LRN Newscast

26 Louisianans have been hospitalized and 5 have died from Vibrio vulnificus infection. These bacteria are present in the Gulf in higher numbers from May to October and State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says certain medical conditions increase the risk for infection and severe complications.

Cut 5 (12) “…recent stomach surgery.”

It took nearly a decade, but deputies in Terrebonne Parish have arrested two men for the murder of 56-year-old Pamela Johnson. District Attorney Joseph Waitz says Johnson’s husband 70-year-old Charles Johnson hired 43-year-old Shannon Robinson to kill his wife.

Cut 15 (06) “…protect his property.”

He says Johnson and Robinson are both being held without bond and more arrests are likely.

Senator Bill Cassidy will face at least three challengers for the senate seat in the April primary. Cassiday is seen as vulnerable because he voted in 2021 to convict then-former President Trump in his second impeachment trial. Cassidy has worked hard to mend his relationship with Trump by supporting his legislation and political appointees, including U-S Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Hogan says if President Trump endorses someone other than Cassidy in the primary, it will not be good for Louisiana’s senior senator.

Cut 9 (07)  “…to overcome.”

LSU’s freshmen class for the flagship campus in Baton Rouge is the largest incoming class in the school’s history. LSU interim president Matt Lee says there are nearly 82-hundred first-time freshmen on campus, and more than five thousand of them are Louisiana residents — and this class is the most academically accomplished.

Cut 10 (09) “…over last year.”

Lee says LSU Eunice, LSU Alexandria and LSU Shreveport also set enrollment records this year.