1:30 LRN Newscast

If you were issued your state tax refund by paper check and have not yet cashed it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the department sent letters to almost 23-thousand individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 3 (12) “…cash those checks.”

That money totals more than 17-million dollars.

With football season getting underway, Governor Landry is reminding you about a new state law that makes it a felony to smoke marijuana on a school campus or within two-thousand feet of school property. Landry says anyone convicted could face up to one year in prison and a one-thousand-dollar fine.

Cut 12 (09) “…season.” 

LSU coach Lane Kiffin says he asked his players if they were okay with recruiting fifth-year and former NFL players, and they said yes. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

In November, LSU students can get a free lesson on credit education from Shaquille O’Neal. The basketball hall of famer who earned his undergrad degree from LSU and subsequently earned a doctorate will be at Fred’s Bar in Tigerland as part of a national tour across several universities.

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Department of Revenue sends letters to almost 23-thousand taxpayers letting them know they have until Friday to cash their tax refund checks before the money goes into Unclaimed Property. Department Spokesman Byron Henderson says if that happens, those checks become void, and they can claim that money in one of two ways.

Cut 5 (12) “…to the letter.”

September is Love Our Waterways month. Those of you with boats are encouraged to pick up a bucket at your local marina and head out onto the water to pick up litter from the surface. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says even if you don’t have a boat, you can still participate in the cleanup effort.

Cut 14 (11) “…lakes and bayous.”

The LSU Alumni Association launches its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. Vice President of Development Lauren Griffin says this year, in honor of LSU’s big game against Clemson in the real Death Valley, they’re having a friendly competition with Clemson’s alumni association to see which school can raise more money.

Cut 11 (08) “…can get involved.”

Griffin says since this is a friendly competition, the winning school will merely get the satisfaction of winning.

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years. Commissioner Dwayne Hanberry says this is a huge milestone for the league, which includes Centenary College in Shreveport.

Cut 8 (06) “…participate in.”

The 2027 event will be held February 26th to the 28th.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

New LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt makes his Tiger Stadium debut on Saturday night when the 13th ranked Tigers host 23rd ranked Clemson. When Leavitt played at Arizona State last season, the Sun Devils averaged 54-thousand fans for their home games. The crowd for Saturday night’s game will be nearly twice that, and he’s fired up for it…

Cut 18 (18) “…focus up.”

Leavitt says he’s as healthy as ever and the mental side of his game has only improved since coming to LSU.

Three LSU baseball players were ranked in D1-Baseball’s top 50 transfer pitchers for the 2027 season. Gonzaga right-hander Landon Hood ranked number-2, USC righty Diego Velazquez was 14th and South Florida junior right-hander Kaden Smith was 46th.

Louisiana Tech opens the football season against Northwestern State Saturday. The Bulldogs returned graduate linebacker Kolbe Fields. Fields was the preseason CUSA Defensive Player of the Year last season and dominated through the first five games before a season-ending knee injury. He says he’s had opportunities to go to other schools, but he isn’t interested in a one-year deal, and nothing can replace the relationships he’s built in three years in Ruston.

Cut 17 (15) “…get older.”

Kickoff in Ruston is at 6:30.

UL Lafayette kicks off against Lamar Saturday at 7. Cajuns coach Michael Desormeaux says his team could be dominant on one side of the ball this season.

Cut 21 (13) “…head coach.”

11:30 LRN Newscast

On the heels of the success of the Love The Boot initiative comes Love Our Waterways. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 26 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

One of the most anticipated games in Tiger Stadium history is just three days away as LSU will host Clemson. ESPN reporter Marty Smith says LSU has told him that this is the most media-celebrity-credentialed game in Tiger Stadium.

 

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says there are still thousands of taxpayers and businesses who received a paper refund check for the 2025 tax year and have not deposited that check. If it’s not deposited or cashed after Friday, the money will be transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. L-D-R spokesperson Byron Henderson says there are 23-thousand checks that have yet to be deposited…

Cut 4 (09) “…is 17,145,961 dollars.”

The Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City will host the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships for the next three years, starting in February of 2027. Bossier City councilman Brian Hammons says they are excited to host this event…

Cut 6 (12) “…to us.”

Centenary College in Shreveport is a member of the SCAC.

10:30 LRN Newscast

If you were issued your state tax refund by paper check and have not yet cashed it, you have until Friday to do so before that money gets transferred to the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office. Byron Henderson with the Louisiana Department of Revenue says the department sent letters to almost 23-thousand individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 3 (12) “…cash those checks.”

That money totals more than 17-million dollars.

The long-anticipated spin-off of Love The Boot is now underway as Love Our Waterways is going on throughout the entire month of September. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says litter in the state’s waterways is just as much an issue as litter on land.

Cut 13 (08)  “…litter you see.”

As another LSU school year gets underway, the LSU Alumni Association is launching its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. This year, LSU is holding a friendly competition with Clemson to see which school can raise the most money. Vice President of Development Lauren Griffin says you don’t even need to be an LSU alum to take part.

Cut 12 (10) “…welcome for sure.”

DOTD is launching the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest for 2026.  Rodney Mallett with DOTD says while the video contest is in its second year in Louisiana, the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” Challenge is actually a national initiative that’s been going on for years.

Cut 9 (05)  “…started in Missouri.”

There are prizes for the best videos – five-thousand dollars for first place, 35-hundred dollars for second place and 15-hundred dollars for third place.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Democratic Party is opposing constitutional amendment four on the November third ballot. The proposed amendment would prevent a governor from serving another term after already serving two terms and sitting out at least four years. Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines says if a former two-term governor wants to run again, voters should decide whether that person deserves a third term.

Cut 4 (04) “…for whatever reason.”

Chalmette Republican Mike Bayham authored the proposed amendment. He says the change would bring new ideas to the governor’s office

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Keep Louisiana Beautiful have started a month-long initiative called Love Our Waterways an effort to clean up the state’s rivers, lakes and shorelines. Nungesser says if you like to participate, go to Love-LA-waterways-dot-org…

Cut 15 (09) “….get involved in”

 

DOTD is once again launching the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest, which runs through October 31st. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Louisiana High School football season kicks off tomorrow and according to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Ruston is ranked as the best team in Class 5A over the Karr Cougars, who are coming off back-to-back undefeated seasons. Neville is ranked number one in 4A over Westgate. In Class 1A, Haynesville and Ouachita Christian are ranked one-two.

8:30 AM LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Democratic Party is opposing constitutional amendment four on the November third ballot. The proposed amendment would prevent a governor from serving another term after already serving two terms and sitting out at least four years. If a simple majority approves the amendment, former governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards would be barred from running for governor again. Democrats believe the proposal is designed specifically to prevent Edwards from making another run for top office. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines

Cut 6 (04) “…intent is obvious.”

DOTD’s “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest  is happening now.  The program invites high school students to create videos highlighting the importance of avoiding distractions like cell phones when behind the wheel and wearing seatbelts, . Rodney Mallett with DOTD…

Cut 8 (07) “…who are unrestrained.”

———————-

With a new academic year underway at LSU, the school is launching its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

——————-
First it was “Love the Boot”, now state officials are urging us to “Love Our Waterways” by cleaning up litter. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says even if you don’t have a boat, you can still help in the effort.

Cut 14 (11) “…lakes and bayous.”

 

7:30 AM LRN Newscast

On the heels of the success of the Love The Boot initiative comes Love Our Waterways. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

DOTD “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest for high school students is also happening now. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says it’s important as last year, distracted driving contributed to nearly 22-percent of all traffic fatalities in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (11) “…of those crashes.”

——————————–

The Louisiana Democratic Party is opposing constitutional amendment four on the November third ballot, which would prevent a governor from serving another term after already serving two terms and sitting out at least four years. Author of the proposed amendment Chalmette Republican Mike Bayham says the change would bring new ideas to the governor’s office and prevent former governors from using their fundraising advantages against first-time candidates. But Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines says the amendment would take away a choice from Louisiana voters.

Cut 5 (05) “…lead the state.”

The LSU Alumni Association is launching its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. Vice President of Development Lauren Griffin this year, in honor of LSU’s big game against Clemson in Death Valley, they’re having a friendly competition with Clemson’s alumni association to see who can raise more money.

Cut 11 (08) “…can get involved.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt will return to the football field on Saturday night for the first time since October when a foot injury forced him to miss the rest of the 2025 campaign. Leavitt says he’s 100 percent and he’s feeling good mentally heading into the season opener against Clemson…

Cut 19 (17) “…keep growing and growing”

Leavitt also says the players support LSU’s effort to add fifth-year players to the program, even with the season starting this week.

There were several Saints players back at practice yesterday that had missed some time. That group included cornerback Quincy Riley, right guard Cesar Ruiz, linebacker Chris Rumph and defensive tackle John Ridgeway. But running back Kendre Miller left yesterday’s practice with an unknown injury.

 

Louisiana Tech opens the season at home against Northwestern State on Saturday. Tight end Eli Finley is back for his senior season with the Bulldogs after leading the team with 38 catches for 444 yards last year. He says he expects their offense to be exciting this year.

Cut 16 (20) “…no matter what.”

The Demons are trying to recover from its upset loss to NAIA school Louisiana Christian. Northwestern Coach Blaine McCorkle’s team failed to get a win last week despite having a two touchdown lead…

Cut 26 (14) “…good things”

Kick off on Saturday is at 6:30.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

DOTD’s “Buckle Up, Phone Down” High School Video and Pledge Contest, is happening now through October 31st. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The long-anticipated spin-off of Love The Boot is now underway as Love Our Waterways is going runs all this month. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser

Cut 13 (08)  “…litter you see.”

—————————-

The Louisiana Democratic Party is opposing constitutional amendment four on the November third ballot. The proposed amendment would prevent a governor from serving another term after already serving two terms and sitting out at least four years. Louisiana Democratic Party Chairman Randal Gaines says if a former two-term governor wants to run again, voters should decide whether that person deserves a third term.

Cut 4 (04) “…for whatever reason.”

As another LSU school year gets underway, the LSU Alumni Association is launching its Tiger Nation Challenge for 2026. Vice President of Development Lauren Griffin says the annual fundraising drive plays a crucial role.

Cut 10 (12) “…to the university.”

You can donate at lsualumni.org/tigernationchallenge.