2:30 LRN Newscast

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature is a measure that would eliminate the need for drivers to get an inspection sticker for their vehicle. It will be replaced by a six-dollar Q-R code that you would get in the mail, just like you get your registration sticker for your license plate. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says service station owners opposed his bill, citing that this legislation will lead to a drop in business…

Cut 21 (08) “…all over”

The governor is expected to sign the legislation.

 

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chanelle Stigger in Lake Charles says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (09)  “…seven days.”

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for crawfish one last time this year, this is the perfect weekend to do so. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

According to analysis of google search data, the most misspelled word in Louisiana is restaurant, which is interesting since the state is known for its great restaurants. According to Unscrambler-dot-com, the words business, schedule, definitely, and favorite are the other most misspelled words by Louisiana residents.

LRN PM Newscall May 22

If you’re looking to satisfy your craving for crawfish one last time this year, this is the perfect weekend to do so. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A memorial service takes place Saturday in Lake Charles for hall of fame football coach Bobby Keasler. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, how about with one of Louisiana’s most famous delicacies? Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices this holiday weekend are averaging $2.99 a pound for live crawfish and $5.50 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

King says besides Memorial Day and graduations, there’s another big reason you should treat yourself to those tiny tasty crustaceans this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are right.”

King says if you need that crawfish fix after this weekend and it cannot wait until after Mardi Gras next year, good luck.

Cut 5 (08) “…your favorite spot.”

Not to mention, once the calendar flips to June, the crawfish just doesn’t taste as good. Due to the much warmer weather, their shells get hard, and that results in much tougher meat.

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It’s Memorial Day weekend; and on the roadways, that can only mean one thing – Click It Or Ticket! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

According to Triple-A, more than 39-million people will be hitting the road this holiday weekend. Fischer says if avoiding the 50-dollar ticket isn’t enough of an incentive for you to wear your seatbelt, being able to survive a crash should be.

Cut 7 (09) “…a serious crash.”

Fischer says statistics show that not wearing your seatbelt has deadly consequences.

Cut 8 (10) “…not buckled up.”

In Louisiana, you can be pulled over just for not wearing your seatbelt; you do not need to be committing a moving violation to be subject to a seatbelt fine.

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It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (08)  “…next seven days.”

Stigger says a stationary frontal system over the Southern Plains is helping to produce all of this rain.

Cut 10 (11) “…continuation of moisture.”

Stigger says rain chances are higher on Saturday and Sunday and they drop off for Monday. She says the clouds and rain will ultimately make it more comfortable to be outside once it does dry out.

Cut 11 (08) “…actually near average.”

Most of Louisiana can expect three to six inches of rain through Tuesday.

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A memorial service takes place Saturday for a McNeese State legend. Family, former players, friends, and Cowboy fans will pay their final respects to Bobby Keasler, who died earlier this month at the age of 80. McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnette says Keasler turned the McNeese football program into a winner after some lean years.

Cut 12 (12) “…what he’s done.”

Keasler guided McNeese to four Southland Conference championships from 1991 to 1997. In 1997, he took the Cowboys to the Division One-Double-A national championship game. Bonnette says Keasler coached 53 first-team All-Southland players and 16 first-team All-Americans.

Cut 13 (07) “…listened to him.”

Keasler was an outstanding three-sport athlete at New Iberia High School and began his coaching career in New Iberia at the middle and high school levels. He became head coach at McNeese State. His coaching career concluded with three seasons at U-L-M. Bonnette says Keasler’s death is a tremendous loss for the entire state.

Cut 14 (07) “…fantastic human being.”

The memorial service will take place at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles at 1 p-m. Public viewing is from 10 a-m to 1 p-m.

1:30 LRN Newscast

When you’re enjoying this holiday weekend, make sure you bring your umbrella, because it’s going to be a wet one. In fact, some areas could see as much as 15 inches of rain over the next seven days! Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a stationary frontal system over the Southern Plains is helping to produce all of this rain.

Cut 10 (11) “…of moisture”

Now, don’t let all this rain keep you from going out to your favorite crawfish spot this weekend. Laney King, the co-founder of the Crawfish App, says that’s because after this weekend, if your crawfish fix cannot wait until after Mardi Gras next year, good luck.

Cut 5 (08) “…your favorite spot.”

Fortunately, crawfish prices are down 50 cents over the last week.

A memorial service takes place Saturday in Lake Charles for hall of fame former coach Bobby Keasler. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

As for McNeese’s baseball team’s quest for the NCAA Tournament, the Cowboys will need to win two in a row to gain an automatic berth. McNeese lost to Lamar last and will need to beat the Cardinals tonight and tomorrow to win the Southland tournament and earn that automatic bid.

12:30 LRN Newscast

This Memorial Day weekend is going to be a wet one. Chanelle Stigger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says rain chances are higher on Saturday and Sunday, and they drop off for Monday – just in time for your backyard barbecue. She says the clouds and rain will ultimately make it more comfortable to be outside once it does dry out.

Cut 11 (10) “…near average.”

On the roadways, not only does that mean use your wipers and turn your headlights on, it also means Click It Or Ticket! Greg Fischer with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on looking for people not wearing their seatbelts from now through June 1st.

Cut 6 (13) “…wearing their seatbelts.”

Despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a Congressional map with one majority-minority district. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.

Cut 27 (11) “…white or Black.”

Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle says having a congressional map where a Democrat can win only one of the six districts is unfair, considering a third of the state’s population is Black.

Cut 23 (08) “…egregious to me.”

The map was amended during committee discussion that changes some of the political boundaries; so if it’s approved by the full House, the measure will go back to the State Senate for approval of House changes.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

La Tech competed in its final Conference USA contest today as the Diamond Dogs lost to Liberty six to nothing to finish 0-2 in the CUSA Tournament. Tech finishes the season with a 33-25 record. Coach Lane Burroughs calls it an average season and an average season is not good enough.

Grambling has been eliminated from the SWAC Tournament, while Southern will play Texas Southern this afternoon after  seeing their 16-game winning streak end yesterday with a 15-6 loss to Florida A-and-M.

The Ragin Cajuns will look to rebound from a tough loss yesterday in the Sun Belt Tournament. U-L Lafayette led Texas State 3-to-nothing in the ninth inning, but gave up four runs in the ninth to lose four to three. The Cajuns play Coastal Carolina in an elimination game at 3 PM.

McNeese lost to Lamar last and will need to beat the Cardinals tonight and tomorrow to win the Southland Tournament Title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

 

 

Former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron is back on LSU’s staff as the special assistant to recruiting and defense. Orgeron has not coached since 2021, when he was fired by LSU. WWL Radio’s Mike Detillier says Orgeron is known as one of the best defensive line coaches in college football.

Cut 16 (12) “…period of time.”

Detillier says Orgeron will also help Kiffin recruit Louisiana high school kids.

A memorial service will take place tomorrow for legendary McNeese football coach and Hall of Famer Bobby Keasler. Keasler led the Cowboys to fourth Southland Championships in the 1990s and an appearance in the Division One-Double-A national championship game in 1997. The New Iberia native passed away earlier this month at the age of 80. McNeese Sports Information Director Matthew Bonnettee says Keasler’s death is a tremendous loss…

Cut 14 (07) “…human being”

11:30 LRN Newscast

A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says the fewer dollars available is the result of the Revenue Estimating Conference adopting an economic forecast less robust than previously predicted. Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.

Cut 8 (11) “…increases in MFP.”

If this spending plan is approved, teachers could lose out on two-thousand dollars they are currently receiving through a stipend.

The summer travel season begins this weekend and motorists are having to pay more than four-dollars a gallon for gasoline. Triple-A’s Don Redman says Americans will not cancel their summer plans, but they may alter them as a result of the high gas prices…

Cut 15 (13) “….for the summer”

 

A bill awaiting the governor’s signature is a measure that would eliminate the need for drivers to get an inspection sticker for their vehicle. It will be replaced by a six-dollar Q-R code that you would get the mail, just like you get your registration sticker for your license plate. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says service station owners opposed his bill, citing that this legislation will lead to a drop in business…

Cut 21 (08) “…all over”

The governor is expected to sign the legislation.

It will be a good weekend to consume some mudbugs. Laney King of the Crawfish App says prices have dropped 50-cents a pound this week and a sack of live crawfish is selling for less than three dollars a pound and boiled crawfish is going for about $550 a pound…

Cut 4 (10) “…prices are right”

10:30 LRN Newscast

Another long day of debate over a new congressional map; and despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the Republican-led legislature is poised to pass a map with one majority-minority district. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The debate wasn’t without some infighting among Republicans, however, as they discussed an amendment that moved Morehouse, Lincoln and Jackson parishes from District 5 to District 4.

It will be a wet Memorial Day weekend as the state is stuck in a rainy weather pattern that will stick around into next week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chanelle Stigger in Lake Charles says we are looking at some impressive rain totals for the next week.

Cut 9 (09)  “…seven days.”

Stigger says as far as this weekend goes, rain chances will be higher on Saturday and Sunday.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Memorial Day or graduation, how about with one of Louisiana’s most famous delicacies? Laney King, the co-founder of The Crawfish App, says crawfish prices this holiday weekend are averaging $2.99 a pound for live crawfish and $5.50 a pound for boiled crawfish.

Cut 3 (07) “…in the season.”

King says get them while you can – this is likely the last weekend you’ll be able to enjoy crawfish this year.

9:30 LRN Newscast

A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says the fewer dollars available is the result of the Revenue Estimating Conference adopting an economic forecast less robust than previously predicted. Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.

Cut 8 (11) “…increases in MFP.”

If this spending plan is approved, teachers could lose out on two-thousand dollars they are currently receiving through a stipend.

The summer travel season begins this weekend and motorists are having to pay more than four-dollars a gallon for gasoline. Triple-A’s Don Redman says Americans will not cancel their summer plans, but they may alter them as a result of the high gas prices…

Cut 15 (13) “….for the summer”

 

Despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a Congressional map with one majority-minority district. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.

Cut 4 (11) “…white or Black.”

Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle asked Morris why Republicans should determine who represents the state in Congress, when only a third of the voters are registered Republican.

Cut 5 (11) “…Republicans in Congress.”

The congressional map debate will continue on the House floor next week.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Inspection stickers in Louisiana are now one gubernatorial signature away from disappearing for good. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s two majority Black districts was approved by the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Democrats strongly oppose the map and there is a difference of opinion among Republicans on what the six districts should look like.

 

The Senate Finance committee has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that does not contain additional funding for the state’s voucher program known as L-A Gator. Also, there is no funding in the bill to supply teachers with a two-thousand-dollar stipend they have received since 2023. But Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says they are using money from the rainy-day fund to pay for highway projects…

Cut 9 (09) “…400-million”

The full Senate takes up the budget bill on Tuesday.

Triple-A projects 3.6-million Americans will travel by air this weekend, which is a slight increase over last year. Spokesperson Don Redman says a popular destination for Louisiana residents is Alaska.

Cut 14 (10) “…popular starting now.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has approved a proposed Congressional map that eliminates one of the state’s majority Black districts. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says race was not used as a factor in drawing the map, but New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd countered by saying it sure seems the map is drawn to benefit White Republicans…

Cut 7 (12) “….they’re white Republicans”

The proposed map heads to the House floor where it’s expected to be voted on next week.

The end of inspection stickers in Louisiana is just Governor Landry’s expected signature away from becoming official, as House Bill 1085 has achieved final legislative passage. The author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says that ten-dollar inspection sticker will be replaced with a six-dollar QR code…

Cut 10 (05) “…color, I think.”

And that information can only be read by special equipment available to law enforcement.

 

Despite four-dollar-plus gasoline prices, a record 45-million American plan on traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Joe Gallinaro has the story.

Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

If you are traveling in the state this week, expect to run into some heavy downpours. A flash flooding risk is possible today and tomorrow across a large portion of the state. Overall rainfall amounts should range from three to six inches with some locally higher amounts through Tuesday,