4:30 PM Newscast

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at the current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Governor Landry also unveiled his insurance reform plan yesterday and today Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support of 20 bills for the upcoming legislative session and he says a couple of the things the governor pointed out were not true including the claim that Temple has no authority to deny a rate increase…

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Information about the shelter and adoptable pets is available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

An Alum of ULM back when it was Northeast Louisiana Junior College, has donated two million dollars to the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts to create an endowed chair. Sharon Turrentine says she’s been singing all her life and wanted to give something back to the music department. The donation will help fund scholarships for visual and performing arts students.

3:30 PM Newscast

Insurance reform is expected to be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his support for 20 bills saying several of the bills deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

A Department of Child and Family Services employee was arrested on drug charges Wednesday. Troopers with Troop NOLA say they found marijuana and items consistent with distribution of illegal narcotics in the back seat of 27-year-old Anthony Reed’s car during a traffic stop. Reed was booked in to the Orleans Parish Prison for Possession with Intent to distribute schedule I (marijuana) and traffic related offenses.

In a statement, DCFS Secretary David Matlock expressed gratitude for law enforcement and said the safety and well-being of children and families is their highest priority.

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding, Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”

LRN PM Newscall April 10

A “mayday” has been called at the St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter due to extreme overcrowding,  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson”

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Insurance reform will be the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday, and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has unveiled the bills he supports in that quest. Andrew Greenstein is in Ascension Parish, where Temple held a news conference this morning.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college students joining an organization to complete one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organiziations” 

Boyd says the bill was introduced after20-year-old Caleb Wilson died after he was punched multiple times in the chest while pledging Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Southern University in February. Three men were arrested, with one facing a manslaughter charge.

Cut 4 (12) “…join those organizations.”

The proposed law expands on current requirements by formalizing hazing prevention education. It is compared to the 2018 Max Gruver Law, which increased criminal penalties for hazing, but the Caleb Wilson Act focuses more on education and prevention rather than punishment. Boyd says this is a bipartisan “feel-good” bill.

Cut 5 (08) “…party does not matter.”

It will take effect in the fall of 2025 if passed.

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There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have made a two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed, the state currently does not have the money to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 6 (07) “…to that.”

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at its current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022 –permanent…

Cut 7 (13) “…to accomplish that.”

In a letter to teachers, Landry says it’s back to drawing board, because no alternative recurring resources exist to fund the permanent salary increase teachers deserve. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful that as the budget makes it way through legislative process dollars will emerge to keep teacher pay at its current level…

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

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St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent more than it was designed to house. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

Bremer stressed the urgency, saying that overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Bremer emphasized that the shelter cannot maintain a no-kill status without community support. All adopted animals are vaccinated and microchipped…

Cut 11 (07) “…in the first place.”

The public is encouraged to adopt, while understanding the responsibilities involved. The shelter, located in Lacombe, is open Monday through Saturday. More information and adoptable animals are available at St-Tammany-dot-gov-slash-pets

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Insurance reform will be the overwhelming biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his plan for lowering vehicle insurance premiums in the state. In a news conference in Ascension Parish, Temple announced his support for 20 bills, all filed by Republicans, aimed at addressing the biggest drivers of high premiums in the state.

Cut 12 (14) “…families and businesses.”

Temple says several of the bills he’s supporting deal with frivolous lawsuits that he says are forcing insurance companies to charge high premiums

Cut 13 (08)  “…twice to litigate.”

Yesterday, Governor Landry unveiled his own insurance reform plan, but Temple says a couple things he pointed out are not true, including Landry’s claim that Temple does not have the authority to deny a rate increase.

Cut 14 (08) “…exercise it.”

Temple also said Landry’s claim that insurers can conceal information that he needs to regulate them is also wrong.

2:30 PM Newscast

A school bus struck and killed a 6-year-old child in New Orleans this morning. Authorities say young Mason Richards was getting out of a car when the bus struck him. It happened on Desire Street around 8 a.m. He was transported to a hospital by EMS and later died as a result of his injuries. No one has been charged in the accident and NOPD says drugs or alcohol are not suspected to have been a factor in the accident.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have allowed the state to pay down high interest pension debt, freeing up money to make the two-thousand-dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed, the state currently does not have the money to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 6 (07) “…to that.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple unveiled the bills he supports for the upcoming legislative session. Andrew Greenstein reports

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is critically overcrowded so they are waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says all adopted animals are vaccinated and microchipped…

Cut 11 (07) “…in the first place.”

1:30 PM Newscast

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. In a letter to teachers, Landry says it’s back to drawing board, because no alternative recurring resources exist to fund the permanent salary increase teachers deserve. Senate President Cameron Henry says he’s hopeful.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do.”

Extreme overcrowding has St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter waving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months. Director Rob Bremer says more people have begun to adopt but he stressed the urgency, saying that overcrowding could lead to dog fights, disease, and compromised animal welfare.

Cut 10 (09) “…stressed out.”

Insurance reform will be by far the biggest issue in the legislative session that begins Monday. And Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced his plan for lowering vehicle insurance premiums in the state. Temple announced his support for 20 bills aimed at addressing the biggest drivers of high premiums in the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…move the needle.”

A bill known as the Caleb Wilson Act has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. The Bill’s namesake, a Southern University student died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. House bill 279 Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd expands on the 2018 Max Gruver Law that increased criminal penalties for hazing; the Caleb Wilson Act requires anti-hazing education for anyone joining an organization.

Cut 5 (07) “…affects everybody.”

12:30 LRN Newscast

It’s unclear if the state will continue to pay teachers at its current level. If Constitutional Amendment two had passed, it would have allowed the state to pay down high-interest pension debt. Governor Jeff Landry says that would have freed up dollars to make two-thousand-dollar stipends that teachers first received in 2022….permanent…

Cut 07 (13) “…to accomplish”

Landry says improvements have been made to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles computer system since he issued an emergency declaration because of regular computer crashes. Landry says a technical change was made Thursday night and OMV’s 50-year-old mainframe is performing much better…

Cut 12 (09) “…down the road”

 

The legislative session begins next week and hundreds of bills have been pre-filed, including the Caleb Wilson Act, which is named after the Southern University student who died earlier this year in a suspected hazing incident. New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd has filed a measure to require students who join an organization, to complete an anti-hazing course…

Cut 4 (12) “…organizations”

Three people have been arrested in connection with Wilson’s death.

St. Tammany Parish’s no-kill animal shelter is in “mayday” mode due to extreme overcrowding, currently operating at 70-percent over capacity. Animal Shelter Director Rob Bremer says the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been there over six months.

Cut 9 (10)  “…their forever home”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

For the first time since 2020, Louisiana Tech baseball has swept the season series against in-state rival U-L Lafayette. The Bulldogs defeated the Cajuns 10 to 7 last night after beating the Cajuns in Lafayette last week. Coach Lane Burroughs team has won 12 of its last 16 after playing .500 baseball through the first 17 games of this season…

Cut 30 (20) “…good ball”

Louisiana Tech, who is in first place in Conference USA, will try to stay hot this weekend as they visit Middle Tennessee.

The Cajuns are at ULM this weekend. U-L Lafayette will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Warhawks won two games over Northwestern State this week.

 

LSU men’s basketball has added five players from the transfer portal and its roster currently stands at eleven players. Five of them are six-foot-nine or taller. Coach Matt McMahon says that was the goal, get bigger, which is why they signed six-foot-nine Marquel Sutton from Omaha and former Mississippi State starting center Michael Nwoko…

Cut 17 (24) “…per minute”

McMahon says they still might add one more player and perimeter player who can shoot 3s.

The New Orleans Pelicans play their final road game of the season tonight as they visit the Bucks. The Pels have lost four in a row and they have the fourth worst record in the NBA.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The 2025 legislative session begins on Monday and numerous bills will be discussed aimed at lowering the high auto insurance premiums that Louisiana drivers pay. New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez has filed a bill called the loser pays legislation. Miguez says if a defendant wins a pretrial dismissal, they can recover attorney fees from the plaintiff and a defendant is also entitled to attorney fees and court costs if all claims are dismissed at a trial…

Cut 14 (06) “….frivolous in nature”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles antiquated mainframe has led to frustration from customers to Governor Jeff Landry because of constant computer outages. But Landry says a technical change was implemented last Thursday and since then the system has run smoothly…

Cut 11 (11) “…built in 1970”

Landry praised the work of recently appointed OMV Commissioner Bryan Adams.

House Bill 279, known as the Caleb Wilson Act, has been filed for the upcoming legislative session. Sponsored by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd, the bill requires college freshmen to complete a one-credit-hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership.

Cut 3 (08) “…these organizations”

Baton Rouge police say 20-year-old Caleb Wilson died in February after he was punched multiple times in the chest while pledging Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Southern University.

There is a concern public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because Constitutional Amendment Two did not pass. Passage of that amendment would have made a two-thousand dollar stipend for teachers permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed there is no guaranteed funding to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 6 (07) “…to that.”

10:30 LRN Newscast

A pair of Republican lawmakers file a bill taking aim at frivolous lawsuits.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Jeff Landry has released his legislative goals to lower insurance rates. Landry says he supports legislation to make it clear texting and driving is illegal…

Cut 25 (07) “…today”

The legislative session begins on Monday.

Governor Jeff Landry says improvements have been made to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles computer system since he issued an emergency declaration because of regular computer crashes that would result in customers having to return another day to renew their driver’s license or perform other tasks. Landry says a technical change was made Thursday night and OMV’s 50-year-old mainframe is performing much better…

Cut 12 (09) “…down the road”

Former Alabama and LSU coach Nick Saban has been added to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2025 Induction Class. Saban was elected to the Hall in 2020, but the ceremonies were postponed because of Covid and Hall Chairman Doug Ireland says they had to wait to honor Saban until he retired. Ireland says Saban is excited to spend the last weekend in June in Natchitoches…

Cut 8 (12) “….the induction festivities”

9:30 LRN Newscast

There is a big concern Louisiana public school teachers could see a drop in pay, because of the failure of Constitutional Amendment Two on March 29th. Passage of that amendment would have made a two-thousand dollar teacher stipend permanent. Governor Jeff Landry says because the amendment failed there is no guaranteed funding to keep paying that two-thousand dollars…

Cut 22 (07) “….to that”

A pair of Republicans are proposing legislation that would make the plaintiff pay the defendant’s attorney fees and court costs if the lawsuit is deemed to be frivolous. Along with Pineville Representative Mike Johnson, New Iberia Senator Blake Miguez is proposing the legislation to help rein in insurance rates.

Cut 13 (10)  “…to other states.”

Miguez says if his bill becomes law, perhaps that will get rogue attorneys to think twice about the cases they take up.

 

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a plan to expand Chronic Wasting Disease Control Area in northeast Louisiana after a deer harvested in Catahoula Parish tested positive for C-W-D…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Former Alabama and LSU coach Nick Saban has been added to the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction class. Chairman Doug Ireland says they are thrilled to add an iconic sports figure to their hall…

Cut 9 (11) “…Nick Saban is”

This year’s induction ceremonies are set for June 26th to the 28th in Natchitoches.