2:30 PM Newscast Mar 21

Governor Landry announces a major reorganization of GOHSEP. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Eight Louisiana bridges have been flagged as having an “unknown level of risk of collapse” by the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB asked the Department of Transportation to let them know of the probability of collapse. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says they will begin reviewing bridges immediately.

Cut 5 (06) “…do exactly that.”

The road to the Final Four begins Saturday night for the LSU women’s basketball team, who will host San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Tigers won a national championship in 2023, but last year lost in the Elite Eight, one game short of playing in their second consecutive final four. Flau’jae Johnson remembers that horrible feeling…

Cut 15 (12) “…after that”

LSU Veterinary School was the site of the first alligator cataract surgery in the U.S. Veterinary Ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter performed the surgery on Victor, Audubon Zoo’s rare blue-eyed white alligator last month. Dr. Carter says this surgery was a whole new challenge.

Cut 7 (12) “…just quite different”

1:30 LRN Newscast

The NTSB identifies 68 bridges across the country, including eight in Louisiana, as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse.” It asked DOTD to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says the department will begin reviewing the bridges right away.

Cut 4 (11) “…have to do.”

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the National Guard in an effort to save money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry already has a couple emergencies under his belt in the early stages of his governorship, so he has a good idea of the level of staffing needed – and not needed.

Cut 10 (11) “…this will work.”

An alligator at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is the first in the U.S. to undergo cataract surgery. Victor, a rare blue-eyed white alligator, struggled to see his food, often missing meals or following shadows instead. Concerned zookeepers sought help from LSU’s Veterinary School, where ophthalmologist Dr. Renee Carter diagnosed Victor with an advanced cataract in his left eye.

Cut 6 (09) “…he had a cataract.”

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival is happening in Chalmette through Sunday. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says there will be crawfish in as many ways as you can think of as well as 26 rides to enjoy all weekend.

Cut 13 (11)  “…how much fun is that?”

Hosted by the Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation, the festival continues its mission to support those in need.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry announces a major restructuring of GOHSEP, placing the office under the Louisiana National Guard. Landry says he’s doing this to save the state money. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Landry is fulfilling a campaign promise that’s become a major part of the Republican playbook lately.

Cut 9 (10)  “…save taxpayers money.”

Eight bridges in Louisiana are among 68 across the country that the NTSB identified as being at an “unknown level of risk of collapse.” It’s part of a report that the NTSB released on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It asked DOTD to let it know of the probability of collapse should a vessel hit any one of them. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says there are warning systems in place.

Cut 3 (09) “…on our bridges.” 

The 50th annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to Chalmette through Sunday, offering food, fun, and live entertainment. Chairman Cisco Gonzales says festivalgoers can enjoy delicious crawfish dishes, carnival rides and games. They’re expecting thousands of visitors over the weekend.

Cut 12 (08) “…in four days.”

Gonzales says there will be crawfish in as many ways as you can think of as well as 26 rides to enjoy all weekend. Hosted by the Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation, the festival continues its mission to support those in need.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The McNeese Cowboys are the story after the first day of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. The Pokes started the madness with a two point upset victory of Clemson. Coach Will Wade is receiving a lot of attention and credit for the Cowboys first ever NCAA Tournament win, but he says he’s the low man on the totem pole…

Cut 28 (22) “…laughing now”

So can the Cowboys advance to the Sweet 16? They will play Purdue tomorrow. The Boilermakers are a four-seed and defeated 13th seeded High Point 75 to 63 to advance to the second round.

 

Tonight the Southern Women’s basketball team will play top-seeded UCLA in Los Angeles.

 

The second ranked LSU baseball team begins an SEC series against eighth ranked Texas in Austin tonight. The Tigers have a team batting average of .345, third best in the country. Second baseman Daniel Dickinson is hitting .368 and gives credit to his mom’s camera work for helping him with his swing…

Cut 17 (22) “….feeling out my swing”

Texas will start a left-hander pitcher tonight and tomorrow and the Longhorns staff ERA is 3.22, tenth best in the country.

 

Louisiana Tech begins Conference USA play this weekend by visiting Sam Houston. The Bearkats are a disappointing 6-and-15 on the season.

 

Also, ULM hosts 19th ranked Southern Miss. The Ragin Cajuns are at South Alabama. Southeastern Louisiana has won six in a row and they host McNeese this weekend. Northwestern State is at UNO.

11:30 LRN Newscast

The McNeese State Cowboys are the story of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The 12th seeded Cowboys upset fifth seeded Clemson 69 to 67 yesterday. It’s the Pokes first NCAA Tournament win and they advance to play Purdue in the second round. Junior guard Quadir Copeland says they don’t plan to stop dancing anytime soon…

Cut 15 (06) “…not the goal”

Governor Landry said on social media this week that he had a productive call with the NHL about bringing a professional hockey team to New Orleans.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Congressman Clay Higgins will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026. In an open letter posted on his Facebook page, Higgins said he feels best suited to remain in the House to advance President Trump’s agenda. Pearson Cross, who teaches American politics at ULM, says one hurdle for Higgins was his ability to fundraise at the level needed to win a seat in the Senate.

Cut 9 (09) “…price was too high.”

Cassidy announced in January he had six-point-five million dollars in cash on hand for his re-election bid.

The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to aid those impacted by last weekend’s EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. With no public animal shelter in Walthall County, HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you can help…

Cut 10 (10) “…those in need.”

Supply donations can be dropped off at Humane Society of Louisiana headquarters in Gretna.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Landry and Congressman Steve Scalise met with NHL executives this week to urge them to award New Orleans an expansion franchise. Skeptics may point to the fact that New Orleans is not a big media market. Scalise points out that a city very similar to New Orleans in both size and stature has made the NHL a must-see attraction there.

Cut 6 (12) “…in the desert.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to help those affected by the tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. HSLA Director Jeff Dorson says you can donate pet food of all types during its Easter Bunny Spring Market and Bake Sale.

Cut 11 (12) “…can’t miss it.”

Congressman Clay Higgins says in an open letter that he will not challenge Bill Cassidy for his Senate seat. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A teacher in Rapides Parish is charged with child abuse. 43-year-old Angela Hoosier of Deville is charged with three counts of cruelty to juveniles. The sheriff’s office did not provide any details of the abuse or the age or gender of the victim. It did say the incidents likely did not occur on school property, and the victim was not one of her students.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Congressman Clay Higgins will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026. In an open letter posted on his Facebook page, Higgins said he feels best suited to remain in the House to advance President Trump’s agenda. Pearson Cross, who teaches American politics at ULM, says one hurdle for Higgins was his ability to fundraise at the level needed to win a seat in the Senate.

Cut 9 (09) “…price was too high.”

The Humane Society of Louisiana and the Mississippi Animal Project are hosting a supply drive to aid those impacted by the recent tornadoes in Tylertown, Mississippi. The HSLA is collecting donations during its Easter Bunny Spring Market and Bake Sale tomorrow. Director Jeff Dorson says if you don’t live near Gretna, you can also make a monetary donation.

Cut 12 (07) “…on your behalf.”

The McNeese Cowboys have made history! For the first time in men’s basketball program history, the Cowboys have won an NCAA Tournament game. The Midwest Region’s 12th seed held on at the end for a 69-67 win over the region’s fifth seed, Clemson. Senior forward Christian Shumate says it’s surreal.

Cut 13 (07)  “…really did happen.”

McNeese faces Purdue tomorrow in the second round.

Another pitch on behalf of New Orleans to the NHL – this time, it’s Governor Landry and Congressman Steve Scalise meeting with league officials about a potential expansion team to the Big Easy. The Metairie Congressman says having the NHL in New Orleans would boost tourism.

Cut 5 (09) “…more as well.”

At this time, it’s unclear when – or if – the NHL will expand beyond its current 32 teams.

8:30 LRN Newscast

McNeese men’s basketball made history yesterday as the Cowboys won their first NCAA Tournament game, holding on to upset fifth-seeded Clemson 69-67. McNeese is now the Cinderella story of March Madness and Coach Will Wade says it’s a game changer for the university…

Cut 14 (08) “…changes everything”

McNeese will try to get to the Sweet 16 as they will face Purdue on Saturday.

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins says he will not run for Senator Bill Cassidy’s seat in 2026.  Higgins says he carefully considered a Senate bid as polls show Republicans are interested in him running for U-S Senate. But Higgins says he decided to remain in the House to focus on advancing the President’s agenda. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and says Higgins would have been a viable candidate…

Cut 7 (12) “…than the Senate.”

Governor Jeff Landry has signed an executive order to fix the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. In a social media post, Landry said outdated software is causing crippling delays for the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and it’s no longer acceptable.  It’s unclear how the State of Emergency will lead to a more efficient O-M-V.

Governor Landry also said on social media this week that he had a productive call with the NHL as they continue discussing the prospect of a professional hockey team in New Orleans.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

For the first time ever, the McNeese men’s basketball team has won an NCAA Tournament game. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The National Transportation Safety Board identifies eight bridges in Louisiana that are at unknown level of risk of collapse if struck by an ocean-going vessel. The report was released in response to last year’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Among the bridges listed in Louisiana, I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge. I-210 in Lake Charles, Crescent City Connection in NOLA, Huey P Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish and the Sunshine Bridge in Donaldsonville.

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins announces he will not challenge U-S Senator Bill Cassidy and run for his seat next year. Higgins says despite polls showing there’s a vast majority of Louisiana Republicans want him to run for the Senate, he believes he would be more beneficial as a senior Republican in the House. Pearson Cross teaches politics at ULM and says Cassidy’s vote to confirm Robert F Kennedy as U-S Health Secretary makes him less vulnerable…

Cut 8 (07) “…RFK’s nomination”

Cassidy still faces a challenge from his own party, as State Treasurer John Fleming will challenge Cassidy in the Republican Party Primary.

Louisiana continues to make its case to the NHL that New Orleans can be home to a professional hockey team. Congressman Steve Scalise was on a call with Governor Landry and NHL officials this week…

Cut 4 (11) “….world class events”

It’s unknown if the NHL believes New Orleans is a viable city for an expansion franchise.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

McNeese men’s basketball made history yesterday as the Cowboys won their first NCAA Tournament game, holding on to upset fifth-seeded Clemson 69-67. McNeese is now the Cinderella story of March Madness and Coach Will Wade says it’s a game changer for the university…

Cut 14 (08) “…changes everything”

McNeese will try to get to the Sweet 16 as they will face Purdue on Saturday.

The 2nd ranked LSU baseball team begins a big SEC series against 8th ranked Texas tonight in Austin. LSU as a team is third in the country in hitting with a team batting average of .345. Coach Jay Johnson says the offense reminds him of 2023 national title team…

Cut 16 (25) “….on track”

Running back John Emery wants to play one more year of college football. It would be his seventh. Emery was on the Tigers 2019 national championship team. Since then he played the Covid year, missed a year because of academics and last season only played one game as he tore his ACL in practice. It’s unknown if Emery will play at LSU as the Tigers have four scholarship running backs and could have a fifth if Trey Holly returns.

In other college baseball this weekend…ULM hosts 19th ranked Southern Miss. The Cajuns are at South Alabama, La Tech begins Conference USA play by visiting Sam Houston. The Bearkats are just 6-15. Southeastern Louisiana has won six in a row and the Lions host McNeese. Northwestern State visits UNO.

The Pelicans have another game in Minnesota tonight after upsetting the Timberwolves on Wednesday and the Southern women’s basketball team will take on top-seeded UCLA in the women’s basketball tournament.