2:30 LRN Newscast

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Grant Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Investigators say 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni stresses, however, that the girls were not forced in by the suspects.

Cut 14 (07) “…we want out.”

The Board of Regents is recommending that the financially-troubled University of New Orleans be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says a third-party also needs to be hired to do an academic programs assessment.

Cut 5 (09) “…so forth.”

The legislature will have the final say.

AccuWeather is predicting an active 2025 Hurricane Season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Speaking of weather – bad weather forecast for this weekend is forcing changes to certain events. In Baton Rouge, the Kite Fest is being moved from Saturday to Sunday, and it will run from noon to four. And in New Orleans, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was postponed earlier this month due to inclement weather, has now been cancelled.

1:30 LRN Newscast

Two of the teenagers already facing murder charges for their roles in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Candies are now facing kidnapping charges. Candies was killed last weekend during a high-speed police chase. Investigators say there were two females in the car begging to get out of the vehicles but the teens charged with kidnapping did let them out. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says a third suspect, 17-year-old Michael Lanier, is not being charged with kidnapping…

Cut 13 (05) “….in the vehicle”

Accuweather has released its 2025 hurricane forecast today and they are calling for 13-18 named storms, seven to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. Accuweather lead hurricane expert Alex DeSilva says the possibility of a LaNina developing in the fall could lead to an active October…

Cut 8 (10) “….month of November”

 

We learned today about a major drug bust in North Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

The state department of transportation says an 18-million dollar overlay project will begin on Monday on a nine-mile section of I-20 from the Bienville Parish line to Louisiana Highway 149. DOTD says intermittent lane closures will be necessary. The outside lane of I-20 westbound will be closed Monday and Tuesday I-20 eastbound will have a lane closure.

12:30 LRN Newscast

Accuweather has released its hurricane forecast for 2025 and they are expecting 13 to 18 named storms, seven to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. Accuweather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures will result in rapid intensification of storms…

Cut 7 (11) “…forecast”

Hurricane season officially begins June 1st.

Two of the three people charged with first-degree murder in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sergeant Clint Candies are now charged with kidnapping. Lieutenant Suzanne Carboni says 17-year-old Adrian Waughtal, who was the driver, and 17-year-old Mason Fischer were holding two girls in the car against their will during the pursuit.

Cut 12 (09) “…and Waughtal refused.”

Acting U-S Attorney Alexander Hook announced today that 14 people have been indicted drug and firearms charges as a result of a drug trafficking investigation into the Ruston area. Van Hook says this case is part of Take Back America…

Cut 10 (17) “…drug trafficking”

Out of the 14 people indicted, 12 are from Louisiana and eight of them are from Ruston.

Louisiana’s higher education board recommends that the financially troubled University of New Orleans be moved from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System. A dramatic decline in enrollment over the last 20 years has resulted in a financial crisis at UNO. Board of Regents member Darren Mire says they are also recommending a third-party financial audit…

Cut 4 (05) “….accounting firm”

11:30 LRN Newscast

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, with forecasters warning of another volatile year similar to 2024, one of the most destructive seasons on record.  AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DeSilva predicts 13-18 named storms, 7-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes…

Cut 6 (07) “…this year.”

DeSilva says warm ocean temperatures will fuel storm development, leading to rapid intensification.

14 people were indicted in Lincoln Parish for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexander Van Hook, says while the drug trafficking took place in the Ruston area, the methamphetamine came from out of state.

Cut 9 (13)  “…Kansas and Louisiana.”

If convicted, all 14 defendants face between ten years and life in prison

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit state-funded schools from serving foods that contain additives. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two of the teenagers already facing charges for their roles in the death of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Candies are now facing kidnapping charges. Candies was killed last weekend during a high-speed police chase. Investigators say there were two females in the car begging to get out of the vehicles but the teens charged with kidnapping did let them out.

10:30 LRN Newscast

The Heritage Foundation says Louisiana is second in the nation in election integrity, but the state wants to get to the top of the list. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says the state has always had secure elections, and it’s keeping the momentum going with new machines that will have a paper component to them, printing out a voter’s ballot so that the voter can confirm his or her selections before casting it.

Cut 9 (11)  “…after every election.”

Whereas Louisiana ranks second in election integrity, it also ranks third in stress. That’s according to a new study by WalletHub. Analyst Chip Lupo says Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country; and those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors.

Cut 12 (09) “…diagnosed with depression.”

The Board of Regents recommends the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. Board member Darren Mire (Mear) says last month ,legislative leaders asked the board to examine a proposed system change, but they didn’t need a year to study the issue…

Cut 3 (07) “…April.” 

UNO’s enrollment has dropped significantly since 2003, which has resulted in a financial crisis at the school. Final approval would come from the legislature.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives. McMath says it’s something that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to do.

Cut 6 (12) “…food safety program.”

9:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana is celebrating a new ranking by the Heritage Foundation that gives the state high marks for election integrity.

Cut 7 (09) “…to number two.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry says those efforts include new laws passed by the legislature last year that, according to her, makes it harder to cheat in elections while making it easier for people to vote.

A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the third most stressed state in the country.

Cut 10 (09) “…the high costs.”

Analyst Chip Lupo says another reason is that Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country. The two most stressed states according to the study are, in order, New Mexico and Nevada. At the other end of the spectrum, the least stressed state in the country is Nebraska.

A new batch of newly declassified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were recently released. LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, an expert in U.S. political history and on conspiracy theories, says one potential reason why these files have remained under lock and key for so long is because the intelligence agencies may have been trying to save face.

Cut 14 (14) “…the Cold War.”

The district attorney in Caddo Parish has filed a motion in district court seeking a death warrant for Darrell Draughn. Draughn is on death row for stabbing his 64-year-old neighbor, Lauretta Wright, to death in 2000. During the penalty phase of Draughn’s trial in 2003, it was revealed that he shot 18-year-old Justin Bradley to death five months later. District Attorney James Stewart’s motion asks for an execution date to be set 60 to 90 days once signed by a judge.

8:30 LRN Newscast

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would prohibit state-funded schools from serving foods that contain additives

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Board of Regents recommends the University of New Orleans should be managed by the LSU System, instead of the U-L System. UNO is suffering from budget deficits and a decline in enrollment. The Louisiana Legislature will have to approve the move. It’s unclear how a move to the LSU system will help UNO with its financial troubles.

The personal-finance website Wallethub ranks Louisiana as the third most stressed out state in the country. It’s because Louisiana ranks high for average hours worked per week, the lack of sleep, and the percentage of adults in fair or poor health. Wallethub analyst Chip Lupo says Louisiana also has the second lowest median credit score in the country….

Cut 11 (08) “…above fair credit”

That means many Louisiana residents experience trouble getting credit.

But Louisiana has moved up seven spots in the Heritage Foundation’s ranking for election integrity. The Bayou State now ranks second and Secretary of State Nancy Landry credits a package of laws approved last year. She says the legislation prevents fraud…

Cut 8 (13) “…for other people”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Are you stressed out? A new study claims that the stress level in Louisiana is one of the highest in the country. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Hurricanes stress people out. Accuweather has come out with its prediction for the 2025 hurricane season. The weather forecasting company is predicting 13 to 18 named storms, and they are warning hurricanes can rapidly strengthen leading up to landfall.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit state funded schools from serving lunches that contain potentially harmful additives, including dyes and preservatives.

Cut 4 (09) “…straight up toxic.”

Senate Bill 14 also requires restaurants to display on the menu if the food contains seed oils.

New JFK assassination files were released last week and LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, a US political history expert, has been studying them. Jack Ruby assassinated Lee Harvey Oswald two days after the assassination of Kennedy and Earle says the new documents do not show a connection between Ruby and President Kennedy’s assassination…

Cut 15 (12) “…of the assassination”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

At the NFL draft combine, former LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell’s arms were measured at 32 5-8 inches, which would be short for an offensive tackle in the NFL. At LSU’s Pro Day yesterday, Campbell’s arms measured at 33 inches long. 34-inches is the length NFL teams look for at offensive tackle. There’s talk that Campbell might make a better guard than tackle in the NFL. The former Neville star says offensive tackle is his preferred spot…

Cut 18 (20) “….play tackle”

The eighth ranked LSU baseball team opens an SEC series with Mississippi State tonight. The Tigers are 4-2 in league play, while the Bulldogs are off to a 1-5 start. First pitch is at 7 PM.

Bill Armstrong is the new head men’s basketball coach at McNeese. Armstrong was an assistant at Baylor last season and he was the associate head coach for Will Wade when the two were at LSU. It’s the first head coaching job for Armstrong and he says it’s the perfect place to start his head coaching career…

Cut 16 (17) “…getting that third.”

Tulane is losing its head coach, Ron Hunter to North Texas. Hunter has been the head coach for the Green Wave the last six years and went 89 and 88.

The Lady Techsters defeated Lindenwood in the WNIT Super 16 last night by the final score of 68-64. Paris Bradley had 24 points.

ULM baseball won its second straight in Arkansas, beating Little Rock seven to six. Henry Garcia’s home run in the ninth inning was the difference. Southeastern Louisiana blanked Mississippi Valley State. It’s the Lions sixth shutout of the season, which leads the nation.

6:30 LRN Newscast

A national organization gives Louisiana high marks in election integrity. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Don’t forget Saturday is election day and there are four constitutional amendments on the ballot. Governor Jeff Landry has been traveling the state asking residents to vote for Amendment Two, which rewrites a large section of the constitution that governs taxes. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath has filed legislation for the upcoming regular session that prohibits state-funded schools from serving food to students that contains specific dyes and additives. McMath’s legislation also would require food manufactures to label products with a warning if the product contains specific artificial colors, additives or chemicals. He says that stuff doesn’t need to be in our food…

Cut 5 (11) “…same company”

A new batch of newly declassified files related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were recently released. LSU Honors College Dean Jonathan Earle, an expert in U.S. political history and on conspiracy theories, says those newly released files likely do not change anything.

Cut 13 (08)  “…these 60 years.”