4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Tigers kicked off preseason football practice yesterday. One of the biggest questions of camp will be who starts alongside cornerback Zy Alexander. Sophomore Javien Toviano appeared in every game last season and was reinstated after being suspended July 21 following an arrest on charges of video voyeurism. Freshman PJ Woodland is another possible candidate. Coach Brian Kelly says they are looking for consistent play from their corners…

Cut 17 (16) “…younger players.”

Construction at Alex Box Stadium is underway on the premium field level seating and bullpen relocation coming this fall. The Field Level Loges will add 52 and 106 seats along the left and right field lines in the form of 36 four-person loges and 14 individual seats. Premium seating features in-seat food and beverage service and a built-in ice chest. The Tigers bullpen will be moved to beneath the right-field bleachers.

The UL-Lafayette football team held their first fall practice today. The Cajuns led the Sun Belt in yards per carry and were top three in total rushing yards last season, but they were the second worst team in rushing allowed. Coach Mike Desormeaux says he and his staff will emphasize trench-play this preseason…

Cut 20 (20) “…we want.”

Former LSU track star Sha’Carri Richardson dominated in her Olympic debut easily winning the opening heat of the women’s 100 meter dash with a 10.94-second time. The defending world champ advances to tomorrow’s semi-final with a chance to move on to the final scheduled for tomorrow at 2:20 P.M.

LSU diver Juan Celaya Hernandez won silver for Mexico today in men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard.

4:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

With the school bell about to ring, Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says administrators are trying to get things in place before students return to the classroom. He says finding certified teachers is already difficult enough but when you factor in that principals are retiring, and that position is filled with a teacher…

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. Even though we are still months away from the election, pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests the actual deadline to reverse poll sliding is much closer.

Cut 10 (11) “…in October.”

 

Several new laws in Louisiana are now in effect. Among them is when a person is found guilty of distributing fentanyl, they’ll serve at least 10 years but no more than 40 years in jail without the possibility of parole. And the penalty for those convicted of human trafficking and when the victim is under 18, it’s life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

 

3:30 PM LRN Newscast August 2

School is about to be starting back and with that comes challenges for educators and administrators. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says preparation for the new school year has already started for teachers and administrators…

Cut 11 (12) ” …going on right now.”

According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the new stadium will be a state-of-the-art facility that the 8-time National Champion team deserves. However, it’s also designed to be a multi-purpose facility that Sorenson says will help draw events to Acadiana.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sporting tournaments.”

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says the shift in campaign momentum could be due to the Harris campaign rolling out smoothly compared to a number of recent blunders from the Trump campaign. While Trump is still technically up in the polls, Couvillon says his campaign should be careful to avoid any further slides.

Cut 9 (12) “…Democratic convention.”

The search for twin 8-year-old girls who were reported missing by Louisiana State Police has come to an end after they were found safe in St. Tammany Parish and their mother was arrested.

Alessandra Bruno and her sister Sofia were last seen at the Rock-N-Sake Sushi Bar off Fulton Street in New Orleans. Their non-custodial biological mother, 36-year-old Alejandra Gutierrez, was suspected of taking them on Wednesday around 7:00 p.m. and was arrested today.

Authorities say Gutierrez has abducted Bruno before. Bruno suffers from a medical condition and needs medication, which the mother does not have

She was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Facility.

2:30 PM Newscast August 2

Some Louisiana children went back to school this week and the rest will be starting soon.  Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says there are many challenges schools are facing and one is last year’s school performance scores

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Another challenge… Louisiana is in need of over 2,520 teachers and has the fifth highest rate of uncertified teachers in the country at 9-percent.

New weekly polling averages show former President Trump’s lead over Vice President Harris is decreasing by about one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Currently, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point.

A groundbreaking celebration kicks off construction of a new LSU Eunice Baseball stadium. It will feature removable, artificial turf that allows the stadium to serve as a multi-purpose facility. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says they didn’t forget about the spectators…

Cut 4 (10) “…our opponents deserve.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

Three Louisiana towns made Electricity Dot Com’s list of the 150 Most Welcoming Towns for Travelers. 3700 travelers ranked towns they said embraced newcomers as part of the community. Abita Springs made the list at number 53, Natchitoches number 57, and St. Francisville was ranked number 61.

PM LRN Newscall Aug 2

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (31) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

______________________________________

New weekly polling averages show former President Trump’s lead over Vice President Kamala Harris continues to decrease. Mel Bridges has the numbers.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

_____________________________________

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school.

Cut 3 (11) “…building the future.”

The new stadium will feature removable, artificial turf that allows the stadium to serve as a multi-purpose facility. However, Sorenson says they didn’t forget about the stadium part and says fans and players can look forward to…

Cut 4 (09) “…our opponents deserve.”

The new stadium will be a state-of-the-art facility that Sorenson says the 8-time National Champion team deserves. However, it’s also designed to be a multi-purpose facility that Sorenson says will help draw events to Acadiana.

Cut 5 (12)  “…sporting tournaments.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

_________________________________________________________

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone will form in the Atlantic over this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

Jacquemin says the storm is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm as it heads towards the U.S. Current models show the storm hitting Cuba, then curving east towards Florida, but it’s too early to accurately predict exactly where in the States the storm will make landfall.

Cut 7 (10) “…potential threat.”

__________________________________________________________

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris decreasing by at least one point for a third straight week. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics suggests if the Trump campaign can’t reverse this decline…

Cut 8 (10)  “…change.”

Couvillon says the shift in campaign momentum could be due to the Harris campaign rolling out smoothly compared to a number of recent blunders from the Trump campaign. While Trump is still technically up in the polls, Couvillon says his campaign should be careful to avoid any further slides.

Cut 9 (12) “…Democratic convention.”

Last week, Trump was 2 points ahead of Harris, and he was up 3.2 points against Biden the week before. Currently, Trump and Harris are separated in the polls by just one point. Though we’re months away from the election, Couvillon suggests the actual deadline to reverse poll sliding is much closer.

Cut 10 (11) “…in October.”

____________________________________________________________________

School is about to be starting back and with that comes challenges for educators and administrators. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk says preparation for the new school year has already started for teachers and administrators…

Cut 11 (12) ” …going on right now.”

Faulk says there are many challenge that schools are facing and one is looking at school performance scores from last year and how to address the issues for the upcoming year…

Cut 12 (08) “…individual schools.”

Another challenge for schools is staffing shortages with many schools still trying to fill open position with certified teachers and administration openings as well. Faulk says finding teachers now is difficult, but when principals are retiring and that position is filled with a teacher…

Cut  13 (05) “…all the way down.” 

According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.

_________________________________________________________

 

Cut  14 (08) “…those things.”

 

Cut 15 (12) “…really important.”

______________________________________________________________________

Cut  16 (10)   “…Thursday.”

 

1:30 PM Newscast August 2

New weekly polling averages show Trump’s lead over Harris continuing to decrease. Mel Bridges has the numbers.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone forms in the Atlantic this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school as a whole.

Cut 3 (12) “…building the future.”

Two LSU Tigers who suffered season-ending knee injuries last season were on the practice field for the first day of preseason camp. Cornerback Zy Alexander returned after tearing his ACL on October 21st. Head coach Brian Kelly says he and running back John Emery will use the first few days of camp to see how their repaired knees respond…

Cut 16 (19) “… feeling that.”

12:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is co-leading a field hearing for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf later today in Thibodeaux. He says though some members of Congress from coastal states may share some issues with Louisiana, our state’s shoreline is different from any other because of…

Cut 4 (10) “…United States.”

New laws concerning voter registration drives are in effect in Louisiana. Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says those wishing to hold one must be registered with their office or the Registrar of Voters in their parish. Watson points out that doing so is not their office giving clearance to conduct one.

Cut 13 (08)  “…contact you.”

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off the construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (32) …I’m Mel Bridges.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Two LSU Tigers who suffered season-ending knee injuries last season were on the practice field for the first day of preseason camp. Cornerback Zy Alexander returned after tearing his ACL on October 21st. Head coach Brian Kelly says he and running back John Emery will use the first few days of camp to see how their repaired knees respond…

Cut 16 (19) “… feeling that.”

The Tigers reinstated cornerback Javien Toviano after suspending the 19-year-old from football activities following his arrest on charges of video voyeurism. The sophomore was arrested July 21 when he surrendered to authorities accused of recording himself having sex with a woman without her consent, according to an arrest warrant. Toviano will compete for a starting corner spot after appearing in every game last season and starting three of the last five.

Construction at Alex Box Stadium is underway on the premium field level seating and bullpen relocation coming this fall. The Field Level Loges will add 52 and 106 seats along the left and right field lines in the form of 36 four-person loges and 14 individual seats. Premium seating features in-seat food and beverage service and a built-in ice chest. The Tigers bullpen will be moved to beneath the right-field bleachers.

The UL-Lafayette football team begins fall camp today. Head Coach Mike Desormeaux says the message to his team is there are no starters. He wants to see competition at every position, none more so than quarterback. Seniors Chandler Fields and Ben Woolridge have fought for the starting job the last two seasons, and Desormeaux will have to make that call again…

Cut 19 (18) “…to do it.”

11:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

There’s an over 50% chance a cyclone will form in the Atlantic over this weekend. Meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the storm, which is a tropical wave over the southwestern Atlantic and Caribbean seas right now, is gathering some power as it moves west-northwest.

Cut 6 (07) “…Saturday.”

At this time the storm does not appear to be a threat to Louisiana

If you are a parent of a homeschooled student your child is eligible to participate in your local school systems athletics and extracurricular activities. Private school homeschoolers had been barred from public school athletics since 1970. But that changed with a new law that went into effect this month. The law allows a student who is enrolled in an approved home study program to try out or apply for extracurricular activities or athletics at the public school they would otherwise attend.

 

LSU Eunice Baseball has officially kicked off construction of a new stadium with a groundbreaking celebration. LSUE Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson says the stadium represents exciting new things for the Baseball Bengals and the school as a whole.

Cut 3 (12) “…building the future.”

The first phase of the stadium is expected to be completed in time for the 2025 baseball season.

A new Louisiana law requires anyone wanting to hold a voter registration drive to be registered with the Secretary of State’s office. But if your drive is fully electronic and done through the state’s voter portal, that’s not necessary. When it comes to voting information in Louisiana, Joel Watson with the Secretary of State’s Office says…

Cut 14 (04)  “…more information,”

10:30 LRN Newscast Aug 2

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves will lead a field hearing at Nicholls State for Republicans in the House Natural Resources Committee on drilling and restoration in the Gulf. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

 

A child was abducted from New Orleans Wednesday and authorities are asking for help from the public. 8-year-old Alessandra Leonor Bruno was last seen at the Rock-n-Sake sushi bar on Fulton Street. Police say she was taken by her biological mother who’s believed to have Alessandra’s sister Sofia with her as well.

82 years after U.S. Army Private First-Class Joseph C. Murphy died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during WWII, he’ll be laid to rest in Bogalusa. Louisiana Secretary of Veterans Affairs Col. Charleton Meginley says Murphy’s surviving family will be at the burial at Pounds Pool Cemetery in Bogalusa tomorrow…

Cut 10 (09) “…of Bogalusa.”

Murphy was just 20 years old when he died in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines in 1942.

The 20th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff is Saturday in New Orleans. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Chase Woodward of Parish Restaurant in Monroe will be representing Louisiana as he competes against 13 other chefs trying to bring the title back home to Louisiana

Cut 8 (08) “…to Louisiana.”