7:30 AM LRN Newscast

A massive enforcement operation in North Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders nets 67 arrests. It’s one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it happened during a month-long operation last month called Operation Access Denied.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during this operation.”

The American Tort Reform Foundation is out with its ranking of its worst judicial hellholes of 2025. President Tiger Joyce says one long-running state case rose to close to the top of the list.

Cut 10 (10) “…at number four.”

The foundation says lawsuit abuse forces Louisiana residents to pay what is effectively a tort tax of more than a thousand dollars a year.

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We’re heading into the last weekend before Christmas and as Andre Champagne reports, if you’ll be shopping, expect lots of company.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

This Christmas will also be another record-breaker when it comes to travel, with more than 122-million Americans heading out of town for the holidays. But unlike Thanksgiving, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana, says not everyone will be traveling at once.

Cut 5 (06) “…everyone heading out.”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane makes its first appearance in the College Football Playoff Saturday, where it’ll face Ole Miss for the second time this season. Head coach Jon Sumrall credited his team’s success to its closeness and says he has full belief in its ability to pull off an upset.

Cut 16 (12) “…we fight.”

Ole Miss is a 17.5 point favorite tomorrow.

The college football playoff gets underway tonight with Oklahoma hosting Alabama. In late October, the Sooners defeated the Crimson Tide 23-21.

The Pelicans had their best win of the season last night for their third straight victory as New Orleans defeated Houston 133 to 128 in overtime. The Pels trailed by 25 points in the first half. Saddiq Bey had a season high 29 points and Trey Murphy added 27 points.

 

The Saints are seeking their third straight win on Sunday when they host the Jets and they are getting good play from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Tight end Juwan Johnson knew Shough prior to playing for the Saints, as both started their careers at Oregon. Johnson says he’s seeing Shough play with lots of confidence lately.

Cut 19 (17) “…what it is.”

Running back Devin Neal has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

In college hoops, the Ragin Cajuns scored just 17 points in the first half in their Sun Belt opener and lost to Southern Miss 62 to 54.

Tonight, LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana. The Tigers are 9-1, while the Lions are 4-7.

The son of former LSU head coach Les Miles has been hired by Marshall Faulk and Southern’s new tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.

6:30 AM LRN Newscast

It’s being called one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

New Orleans City Council voted unanimously yesterday to move forward with an override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto of the 2026 budget.  The $1.6 billion budget includes several cost-saving efforts, including layoffs, a hiring freeze, and $150 million in spending cuts.

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Christmas is next week, and that means another busy travel week. Triple-A says this one will be another record-breaker, with more than 122-million Americans heading out of town for the holidays, the majority on the roadways. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the closer we get to Christmas Day, the busier the roads will be.

Cut 4 (09) “…the highest number.”

The National Retail Federation is expecting almost 160-million shoppers to hit the stores on the last Saturday before Christmas. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says even though there are more shoppers than ever, the most money is being spent by one group more than the others.

Cut 7 (11) “…to spend more.”

LRN AM Newscall December 19

Next week is Christmas week, and that means scores of people will be heading out of town to celebrate the holidays. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

____________________________________________

This weekend is the last weekend before Christmas, and more people than ever are expected to get their last-minute shopping in. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

____________________________________________

It’s being called one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

_________________________________________________

Christmas week is next week, and that means another busy travel week. And Triple-A says this year will be another record-breaker, with more than 122-million Americans heading out of town for the holidays, with the automobile being the most popular mode of travel by far. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says the closer we get to Christmas Day, the busier the roads will be.

Cut 4 (09) “…the highest number.”

Redman says whereas everyone seems to be traveling at once for Thanksgiving, that’s not the case for Christmas.

Cut 5 (06) “…everyone heading out.”

Redman says if you want to avoid heavy traffic on your way home, your best bet is to watch the ball drop at Times Square in your vacation destination.

Cut 6 (08) “…the same time.”

In the west-south-central region, which includes Louisiana, 11-million people are expected to take a road trip of more than 50 miles to celebrate the holidays.

_________________________________________________

The National Retail Federation is expecting almost 160-million shoppers to hit the stores on the last Saturday before Christmas. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says even though there are more shoppers than ever, the most money is being spent by one group more than the others.

Cut 7 (11) “…to spend more.”

Of those shoppers, the NRF is expecting more than 41-million to do so online. Rice says doing your Super Saturday shopping online is becoming easier each year.

Cut 8 (12) “…to your car.”

The NRF has predicted that shoppers in the U.S. will spend more than one-trillion dollars for the first time. Rice believes the numbers are deceiving, though.

Cut 9 (13)  “…those price increases.”

_____________________________________________

The American Tort Reform Foundation is out with its ranking of its worst judicial hellholes of 2025. President Tiger Joyce says one long-running state case rose to close to the top of the list.

Cut 10 (10) “…at number four.”

The award that Joyce is referring to was the 744-million-dollar verdict handed down by a jury to Plaquemines Parish; when after deliberating for four hours, it found Chevron liable for environmental damages and degradation of coastal wetlands. Joyce says litigation like this is not good news for one of the biggest drivers of the state’s economy.

Cut 11 (08) “…such an outlier.”

Chevron appealed the verdict on the grounds that state court was not the proper venue in the case, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments January 12th. Joyce says Chevron has a good case.

Cut 12 (10) “…World War Two.”

The foundation says lawsuit abuse forces Louisiana residents to pay what is effectively a tort tax of more than a thousand dollars a year, and it leads to almost 40-thousand lost jobs each year.

____________________________________________________________

A massive enforcement operation in North Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders nets 67 arrests. It’s one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it happened during a month-long operation last month called Operation Access Denied.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during this operation.”

Murrill says agents from 26 sheriff’s offices, three police departments, the Department of Public Safety and the Bossier Marshal’s Office used the sex offender registry and other resources to identify the sex offenders who were engaging in illegal online activity, and that led to the discovery of other crimes.

Cut 14 (12) “…of an animal.”

Murrill says these arrests underscore the importance of parents diligently supervising their kids’ online activity at all times.

Cut 15 (08) “…to your child.”

_______________________________________________________

Tulane makes its first appearance in the College Football Playoff Saturday, where it’ll face Ole Miss for the second time this season. Head coach Jon Sumrall credited his team’s success to its closeness and says he has full belief in its ability to pull off an upset.

Cut 16 (12) “…we fight.”

In Tulane’s first game against Ole Miss, junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff only completed 5 of 17 passes for 52 yards. Sumrall says Retzlaff has done a great job bouncing back and says he’s a completely different quarterback at this point in the season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…leader for us.”

Kickoff in Oxford on Saturday is at 2:30 p.m.

_______________________________________________________

The Saints look to win their third straight game Sunday when they take on the New York Jets. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough says the team’s confidence is as high as it’s ever been and says he wants to keep the city of New Orleans happy.

Cut 18 (17)  “…my whole goal.”

Tight end Juwan Johnson knew Shough prior to playing for the Saints, as both started their careers at Oregon. Johnson says he’s seeing Shough play with lots of confidence lately.

Cut 19 (17) “…what it is.”

Running back Devin Neal has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

 

5:30 LRN Newscast

67 sex offenders are arrested in a month-long operation in North Louisiana last month. Attorney General Liz Murrill says agents from more than 30 departments used the sex offender registry and other resources to identify the sex offenders who were engaging in illegal online activity, and that led to the discovery of other crimes.

Cut 14 (12) “…of an animal.”

The Public Service Commission passes a new policy, in which utilities looking to build infrastructure to power large projects like data centers will no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable on the market. Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says the new policy is unfair to residents.

Cut 11 (11) “…enter the state.”

Louisiana is expected to provide high-speed internet access to every resident by 2028, two years earlier than initially expected. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

People needing to conduct business at an OMV service center picked the wrong day to do so. The OMV was hit with a system-wide outage for several hours today. It started at around nine this morning, and services were finally restored by 2:30 this afternoon. Other state services were also affected. No word on what caused the outage.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane faces Ole Miss for the second time this year in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. The Rebels blew out the Green Wave the first time, winning by five touchdowns. Junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff said the team is looking to get revenge the second time around.

Cut 18 (16)  “…and we’re ready.”

Kickoff in Oxford is at 2:30 p.m.

LSU senior cornerback has been named as a First-Team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America after recording 45 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups on the season. With the honors, Delane becomes a unanimous All-American. Delane only allowed 13 receptions for 147 yards. He did not allow a single touchdown in coverage this season and has seemed to solidify himself as a first-round pick.

Last night, UL-Lafayette dropped the 68 Ventures Bowl by a score of 20-13 to the Delaware Blue Hens. The Cajuns turned the ball over three times in the loss.

The Saints have won two straight and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s record as an NFL starter is now 3-and-3. Tight end Juwan Johnson started his college career at Oregon with Shough. Johnson says the two already had chemistry and that believes Shough is going to continue to improve.

Cut 21 (16): “really excited for him.”

The Saints are at home for the last time this season as New Orleans hosts the New York Jets on Sunday at noon.

Florida State graduate assistant Ben Miles, who is the son of former LSU head coach Les Miles, is reportedly set to be hired as Marshall Faulk and Southern’s new tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Miles has spent the last two seasons in Tallahassee and began his coaching career in College Station in 2022 as a grad assistant for Texas A&M.

The LSU men’s basketball team plays its first home game since November 21st tomorrow as the Tigers host Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.

4:30 PM Dec 18 LRN Newscast

“Operation Access Denied” in North Louisiana resulted in the arrests of 67 previously convicted sex offenders who are accused of committing additional disturbing crimes against children. Attorney General Liz Murrill says these arrests underscore the importance of diligently supervising kids’ online activity.

Cut 15 (08) “…to your child.”

The Baton Rouge Advocate is reporting that a man with a large knife was seen outside Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ office around 11:00 Thursday morning. An Edwards’ spokesperson said employees saw the man enter a bathroom and was then apprehended by Edwards’ security officer, Lt Chuck Karrias. They said the man appeared mentally ill and intoxicated. BRPD Chief TJ Morse said no one was attacked and no criminal charges were filed. Since it was determined that he was not an immediate threat to himself or others, the man was released to his family so he could receive proper treatment.

A new rule aimed at streamlining access to energy needed for large projects like data centers has been approved by the Public Service Commission. Utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those massive projects will no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable way available. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan proposed the rule to accelerate the timelines for these projects. But Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says everyone else will end up paying the price.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and industrial ratepayers.”

Louisiana is expected to make access to high-speed internet available to every Louisiana resident by 2028, two years earlier than initially expected. Connect LA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says state and parish officials have come together to speed up the process.

Cut 6 (14) “…ahead of schedule.”

3:30 PM Dec 18 LRN Newscast

A massive enforcement operation in North Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders nets 67 arrests. It’s one of the biggest child predator busts in state history. Attorney General Liz Murrill says it happened during a month-long operation last month called Operation Access Denied.

Cut 13 (13)  “…during this operation.”

Connect LA has been working to get high speed internet to all of Louisiana, and they’re expected to achieve it by 2028, two years ahead of schedule. Executive director Veneeth Iyengar says because so many Louisianans already have access, people will be able to choose from multiple service providers.

Cut 7 (12) “…that customer.”

He says that means residents could see prices decrease.

The Public Service Commission approves a new rule to help large projects like data centers access the energy they need. Andrew Greenstein reports not everyone is happy about it.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A gutsy season for the U-L Lafayette football comes to an end with a 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The Cajuns fell behind 20-3 before scoring ten unanswered points to pull to within a touchdown. After the game, head coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) said he’s proud of everything his team accomplished, including winning their last four games to achieve bowl eligibility.

Cut 3 (06) “…it’s just tough.”

The Cajuns finish the season with a record of 6-and-7.

2:30 PM Dec 18 LRN Newscast

The announcement came today that 67 previously convicted sex offenders have been arrested for additional crimes against children. Attorney General Liz Murrill and the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force along with multiple law enforcement agencies were part of a massive enforcement operation ‘Operation Access Denied.’ Beginning November 1st, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents identified the offenders and their criminal activities. Some of the offenders were re-arrested for disturbing crimes including rape. Murrill said This is one of the largest operations conducted in the State of Louisiana targeting registered sex offenders in violation of Louisiana law.

In a new rule passed by the Public Service Commission utility providers will no longer have to prove they are providing the most cost-effective and reliable energy for large projects like data centers. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan proposed the rule as a way to accelerate the timelines for these projects. But Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says consumers are no longer guaranteed they’re getting the most affordable electricity.

Cut 10 (08) “…that they want.”

All Louisiana residents are expected to have access to high-speed internet by 2028, two years earlier than initially expected. Andre Champagne has more…

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

U-L Lafayette football suffered a close 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl yesterday. The Cajuns fell behind 20-3 before scoring ten unanswered points to pull to within a touchdown. The Cajuns had a chance to tie it on the last play of the game, but Quarterback Lunch Winfield’s pass was broken up in the end zone. Windfield says this season has been a learning experience.

Cut 5 (08) “…for next season.”

LRN PM Newscall December 18

Louisiana is expected to provide high-speed internet access to every Louisiana resident by 2028, two years earlier than initially expected. Andre Champagne has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

___________________________________________________

The Public Service Commission approves a new rule aimed at streamlining the process for large projects like data centers to access the energy they need to operate. Andrew Greenstein reports not everyone is happy about that.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

A gutsy season by the U-L Lafayette football team comes to an end with a 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl. The Cajuns fell behind 20-3 before scoring ten unanswered points to pull to within a touchdown. The Cajuns had a chance to tie it on the last play of the game, but quarterback Lunch Winfield’s pass was broken up in the end zone. After the game, head coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) said he’s proud of everything his team accomplished, including winning their last four games to achieve bowl eligibility.

Cut 3 (06) “…it’s just tough.”

Desormeaux says the game was a microcosm of the entire season.

Cut 4 (12) “…has been unbelievable.”

Winfield says this season has been a learning experience.

Cut 5 (08) “…for next season.”

The Cajuns finish the season with a record of 6-and-7.

___________________________________________________

Louisiana is expected to provide high-speed internet access to every Louisiana resident by 2028, which is two years earlier than initially expected. ConnectLA executive director Veneeth Iyengar says state and parish officials have come together to speed up the process.

Cut 6 (14) “…ahead of schedule.”

Because so many Louisianans now have access to high-speed internet access, Iyengar says people will be able to choose from multiple internet service providers.

Cut 7 (12) “…that customer.”

Iyengar notes that Louisiana residents could see prices decrease when it comes to paying for higher internet speeds because of the plentiful access in the state.

Cut 8 (13) “…paying before.”

________________________________________________

The Public Service Commission approves a new rule aimed at streamlining the process for large projects like data centers to access the energy they need to operate. Under the new policy, utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those massive projects will no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable on the market. Commissioner Jean-Paul Coussan proposed the rule as a way to accelerate the timelines for these projects. But Alaina DiLaura with the Alliance for Affordable Energy says everyone else will end up paying the price.

Cut 9 (12)  “…and industrial ratepayers.”

DiLaura says with this new policy, which the commission approved on a vote of 4-1, consumers are no longer guaranteed to be getting the most affordable electricity.

Cut 10 (08) “…that they want.”

DiLaura says the new policy is unfair to residents, who are already in the middle of an affordability crisis.

Cut 11 (11) “…enter the state.”