12:30 LRN Newscast

It looks like Louisiana will not be in the path of what is expected to become Hurricane Isaias. The current forecast track has it making landfall east of Mobile, Alabama, Friday evening. That doesn’t mean Louisiana is completely in the clear. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says a storm surge watch and tropical storm watch has been issued for Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans parishes, and the southeastern corner of St. Tammany Parish.

Cut 10 (10) “…into Friday night.” 

DCFS revamps foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says the biggest change is that everything is now done entirely online.

Cut 23 (11) “…in one spot.” 

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is expected to make a significant change, certifying roofs as fortified for only 15 years. That means after 15 years, those with fortified roofs would stand to lose their insurance premium discounts. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says that does not mean that fortified roofs older than 15 years are ineffective.

Cut 4 (12) “…discount going on.”

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU offense ranks third in the nation in yards per game and has not missed a beat with star tight end Trey’Dez Green sidelined. The Tigers are still looking for answers at his position, but quarterback Sam Leavitt says wide receivers have stepped up to replace his production.

Cut 18 (13)  “…comes their way.”

The tenth-ranked Tigers will take an SEC road trip to Kentucky on Saturday. The Wildcats are 4-and-1 under new head coach Will Stein. He has high praise for LSU coach Lane Kiffin.

Cut 21 (08) “…quarterback play.”

Former LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is signing to the Vikings practice squad after being cut by the Giants. He will have a trip home this weekend as New Orleans hosts Minnesota on Sunday. Former Tigers wideout Justin Jefferson could make his return for the Vikings after dealing with an ankle sprain.

UL Lafayette is 4-and-1 and first in the Sun Belt West after a last-second 23-20 win over Arkansas State. The Cajuns will have another big divisional game against rival Louisiana Tech this weekend. It’s the Bulldogs’ first Sun Belt game, but UL coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s been following their defense for years.

Cut 19 (14) “…they play physical.”

Tech coach Sonny Cumbie says that defense will be tested by Cajuns quarterback Lunch Winfield and his feel for the game.

Cut 20 (16) “…defensively.”

Winfield ranks first in the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns and second in rushing yards.

Kickoff in Ruston is set for 6:30.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Isaias does not look like a problem for Louisiana as the National Hurricane Center’s official forecast track continues to shift father to the east. The latest update has the storm now making landfall Friday night or Saturday morning near the Alabama-Florida state line. National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby says conditions in the gulf are pushing the storm away from Louisiana…

Cut 9 (11) “…the east”

But Isaias is expected to develop into a hurricane, possibly a strong Category two storm before weaking to a Category one storm before landfall.

An economic forecast projects Louisiana to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years. Lake Charles is expected to have the highest percentage growth over the next two years, adding about six-thousand jobs. Dr. Loren Scott, who put this forecast together, says the big number in Lake Charles is almost exclusively due to three new LNG export facilities – two in Cameron Parish and another just south of Sulphur.

Cut 14 (05) “…of projects underway.”

 

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says with more than seven-thousand children in foster care, the state needed a better way for prospective foster parents to get certified.

Cut 10 (09) “…and help children.”

Homeready gives prospective caregivers a single, user-friendly system ti complete applications, access required training, upload documents and track their progress. The online platform officially launched today on DCFS’s website.

Those with fortified roofs may see their homeowner’s insurance discounts disappear several years from now. That’s because the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is expected to change the way it designates roofs, certifying them as fortified for only 15 years. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says without the fortified certification, insurance companies would no longer offer premium discounts for fortified roofs.

Cut 3 (07) “…discount drops off.”

Temple says exposure to the severe weather that Louisiana is prone to, will degrade a roof.

10:30 LRN Newscast

A tropical storm watch has been issued for a portion of the southeastern Louisiana coast. Isaias is expected to develop into a Category Two hurricane. But the track of the storm continues to shift east, as the potential landfall is expected near the Alabama-Florida state line Friday night or early Saturday morning, which means the impacts to Louisiana could be minimal.

The Department of Children and Family Services launches a new way for prospective foster parents to get certified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years according to the economic forecast released by economist Doctor Loren Scott. Lake Charles and Monroe are two of the fastest metro growing areas, while New Orleans is one of the slowest.  Scott says a continued decline in convention post-COVID is having an impact on the city’s economy.

Cut 15 (08) “…there’s about 60.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. Fleming says a recently-released Legislative Auditor’s report uncovered significant discrepancies between certain budget and expenditure reports.

Cut 4 (12) “…other budget items.”

Fleming says based on his office’s own K-Through-!2 School Transparncey Project, several school systems combined have spent one-million dollars on meals and entertainment.

9:30 LRN Newscast

We now have our ninth tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season; and tomorrow, it’s expected to become the first hurricane of the year. Tropical Storm Isaias is in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico packing maximum sustained winds of 40 miles an hour, and it has started making its eastward trek before taking a turn north. On its current track, it’s expected to make landfall east of Mobile, Alabama, Friday night, completely missing Louisiana. That doesn’t mean Louisiana is completely out of the woods – the far eastern tip of Plaquemines Parish is still in the cone of uncertainty, and the forecasted track could still shift between now and Friday.

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries.  Fleming says the K-through-12 Transparency Project showed some questionable expenditures.

Cut 5 (13) “…and Uber Eats.”

An economic forecast projects Louisiana to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years. Lake Charles is expected to have the highest percentage growth over the next two years, adding about six-thousand jobs. Dr. Loren Scott, who put this forecast together, says the big number in Lake Charles is almost exclusively due to three new LNG export facilities – two in Cameron Parish and another just south of Sulphur.

Cut 14 (05) “…of projects underway.”

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by rolling out HomeReady, which officially launched today. Secretary Rebecca Harris says by moving everything online, it simplifies the process and creates much less paperwork.

Cut 12 (12) “…a temporary home.”

Families can use either a computer or a mobile device to complete their forms, upload their documents and track their progress.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

A newly released economic forecast projects the state will add 55-thousand jobs over the next couple of years. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

A New Orleans man convicted of multiple violent offenses has been apprehended by the U.S. Marshals in Lake Charles.  38 year old Brandon Justin Lee Williams, was found guilty on Sept. 23, 2026, for second degree rape, domestic abuse battery involving child endangerment, and several others, but failed to appear in court for the jury’s verdict. He was located in Lake Charles yesterday and will be transported back to St. Tammany to be sentenced.

—————————-

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the Gulf. An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday or early Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a risk for dangerous wind and storm surge impacts for the northern Gulf Coast.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that storm approaches.”

The Department of Children and Family Services’ new HomeReady is modernizing the certification process for prospective foster parents in Louisiana . Secretary Rebecca Harris says the biggest change with this new program is that everything is now done online.

Cut 11 (11) “…in one spot.”

There are more than 7000 children in foster care in Louisiana.

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the system will bring areas of heavy rainfall to the central U.S. Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday and into the weekend.

Cut 8 (06) “…to ten inches.”

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says with more than seven-thousand children in foster care, the state needed a better way for prospective foster parents to get certified.

Cut 10 (09) “…and help children.”

————————-

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. Fleming says the recently-released Legislative Auditor’s report uncovered significant discrepancies between certain budget and expenditure reports.

Cut 4 (12) “…other budget items.”

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years, according to an economic forecast. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.”

 

 

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt says he will be fully healthy by the time tenth-ranked Tigers head to Kentucky on Saturday night. Leavitt has played through a hamstring injury the last two games and says it has given him a new perspective on staying in the pocket.

Cut 16 (16) “…even more lethal.”

Over his last two games, Leavitt has completed 76 percent of his passes for 489 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Saints return to the practice field today for a walk through as they get ready for another home game, this time against the 4-and-0 Vikings. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan is in a bad mood after Monday night’s embarrassing loss to Atlanta…

Cut 21 (09) “…every week”

Kick off is at noon.

 

The Ragin Cajuns are getting ready to head up north to take on Louisiana Tech in the Sun Belt opener for the Bulldogs. Star wide receiver Shelton Sampson still hasn’t caught a pass this season because of injuries. He did play in last week’s win against Arkansas State and Coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s expecting Sampson will eventually make some big grabs for them….

Cut 20 (14) “…played really well”

Edna Karr remains ranked number one in the Class 5A Louisiana Sports Writers poll. The Cougars will face 10th ranked John Curtis and that game has been moved up to Thursday night because of the possibility of a hurricane hitting southeast Louisiana on Friday.

In Four-A Westgate is ranked number one, Lafayette Renaissance has cracked the Top ten as they are ranked ninth after beating eighth ranked Lake Charles Prep last week.

 

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday morning. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says a portion of the state’s coast is in in the cone of uncertainty.

Cut 7 (10) “…at the cone.”

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. That’s based on a recent-released Legislative Auditor’s report and a review of financial information from the K-Through-12 School Transparency Project, which showed questionable spending.  Fleming says eliminating unnecessary spending starts with better transparency.

Cut 6 (13) “…that alongside us.”

——————————

The Department of Children and Family Services launches a new way for prospective foster parents to get certified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The owner and an employee of a Ville Platte smoke shop have been arrested in an ongoing narcotics investigation that began with the death of a 17 year old September 19th, the day after he purchased over the counter herbal supplement pills from the Tobacco Tavern.  State Police say a search of the shop turned up more of those pills, suspected to contain a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous substance. We’re told both men arrested are facing a charge of  Distribution of a Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substance.

Updated LRN AM Newscall with new information on the tropical storm

Forecasters are projecting the first Atlantic hurricane of the season will develop in the next 24 hours and will make landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night, early Saturday morning. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

____________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services launches a new way for prospective foster parents to get certified. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

A newly released economic forecast projects the state will add 55-thousand jobs over the next couple of years. Kace Kieschnick has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

___________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming is urging school funding to be focused on classrooms and teacher salaries. Fleming says the recently-released Legislative Auditor’s report uncovered significant discrepancies between certain budget and expenditure reports.

Cut 4 (12) “…other budget items.”

Fleming’s call also comes following a review of financial information from the K-Through-12 School Transparency Project, which he says showed some questionable expenditures.

Cut 5 (13) “…and Uber Eats.”

Fleming says eliminating unnecessary spending can get teachers the additional pay that they had been seeking for years. He says it starts with better transparency.

Cut 6 (13) “…that alongside us.”

__________________________________________

Tropical Storm Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) has formed this morning in the southern Gulf more than 500 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.  An official forecast track from the National Hurricane Center shows a Category One Hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama late Friday night or early Saturday morning. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana should pay attention, because of a portion of the state’s coast is is in the cone of uncertainty.

Cut 7 (10) “…at the cone.”

Keim says the system will bring areas of heavy rainfall to the central U.S. Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday and into the weekend.

Cut 8 (06) “…to ten inches.”

According to the National Hurricane Center, there is a marginal risk of flash flooding for southeast Louisiana over the next five days.

Keim says there is a risk for dangerous wind and storm surge impacts for the northern Gulf Coast.

Cut 9 (06)  “…that storm approaches.”

The official forecast track has shifted a bit to the East reducing the chances that Louisiana will see any significant impacts from the storm.

__________________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is revamping foster caregiver training and certification by launching HomeReady. Secretary Rebecca Harris says with more than seven-thousand children in foster care, the state needed an easier, more modern way for prospective foster parents to get certified.

Cut 10 (09) “…and help children.”

Harris says the biggest change with HomeReady is that everything is now done online.

Cut 11 (11) “…in one spot.”

Families can use either a computer or a mobile device to complete their forms, upload their documents and track their progress. Harris says by moving everything online, it simplifies the process and creates much less paperwork.

Cut 12 (12) “…a temporary home.”

HomeReady officially launches today. There’s a link on DCFS’ website.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana is expected to add 55-thousand jobs over the next two years, according to an economic forecast. Dr. Loren Scott puts together this economic forecast annually, and he’s projecting more jobs than usual because of the boom in data centers in north and central Louisiana.

Cut 13 (11)  “…just about Alexandria.” 

Lake Charles is expected to have the highest percentage growth over the next two years, adding about six-thousand jobs. Scott says the big number in Lake Charles is almost exclusively due to three new LNG export facilities — two in Cameron Parish and another just south of Sulphur.

Cut 14 (05) “…of projects underway.”

Scott is projecting the Acadiana area will add 56-hundred jobs because of the Space X facility in Vermilion Parish and the drone industry. Monroe is projected to be the second-fastest growing region in the state as a result of the construction of the 50-billion-dollar Meta data center under construction in Richland Parish.

Scott is only projecting a one-percent job growth increase for New Orleans. He says a continued decline in convention post-COVID is having an impact on the city’s economy.

Cut 15 (08) “…there’s about 60.”

St. Tammany is forecasted to add 11-hundred jobs over the next two years, making it the slowest growing area in Louisiana. Scott says New Orleans slow growth is impact the Northshore.

__________________________________________________

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt says he will be fully healthy by the time tenth-ranked LSU heads to Kentucky  Saturday night. Leavitt has played through a hamstring injury the last two weeks and says it has given him a new perspective on staying in the pocket.

Cut 16 (16) “…even more lethal.”

The Tigers have not won in Lexington since the Bluegrass Miracle in 2002. It will be LSU’s second away game of the season, and Leavitt says the team has learned from the mistakes it made when it played at Ole Miss.

Cut 17 (17) “…great job communicating.”

The LSU offense has not missed a beat with star tight end Trey’Dez Green sidelined. The Tigers are still looking for answers at tight end, but Leavitt says wide receivers have stepped up to replace his production.

Cut 18 (13)  “…comes their way.” 

__________________________________________________

UL Lafayette is 4-and-1 and first in the Sun Belt West after a last-second 23-20 win over Arkansas State. The Cajuns will have another big division game against rival Louisiana Tech this weekend. It’s the Bulldogs’ first Sun Belt game, but UL coach Michael Desormeaux says he’s been following their defense for years.

Cut 19 (14) “…they play physical.”

Cajuns star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. returned in the win over the Red Wolves. The  redshirt junior did not have any catches as he came back from a string of injuries, but Desormeaux says his message to him was to just go play.

Cut 20 (14) “…played really well.”