4:45 LRN Sportscast

For the second straight day, LSU football has landed a verbal pledge from a four-star defensive tackle. Yesterday it was Zion Williams from Lufkin, Texas. Williams is massive at six-foot-three, 330 pounds.

Today, four-star defensive tackle Brandon Brown flipped his commitment from Texas to LSU. Brown is from Melbourne, Florida. He’s six-foot-one 285 pounds.

First-year defensive line coach Bo Davis was recruiting both of these players when he was at Texas, but now that he is at LSU, Davis convinced these two to come to LSU.

LSU is up to 14 commitments for the Class of 2025 and On3.com ranks the Tigers 2025 class as the fifth best in the nation.

Former LSU commit and the nation’s number one wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class, Dakorien Moore from Duncanville, Texas, has committed to Oregon. Last August, Moore committed to the Tigers, but announced his decommitment last May. It’s a bit of a surprise he didn’t sign with Texas.

The number one prospect in the college baseball transfer portal is headed to Tennessee. Louisville Shortstop Gavin Kilen made his announcement on his Instagram Page. He chose the national champion Volunteers over LSU and Florida.

D-1 Baseball dot-com’s baseball writers have made their way too early picks on who they think will make the College World Series. All ten staff writers chose the LSU Tigers. LSU is the only school where all ten staff writers picked LSU. Nine of the staffers have Florida heading to Omaha next year, while seven had Clemson and Texas A-and-M in the College World Series.

In the NBA….the Golden State Warriors have found a replacement for Klay Thompson, who is now with the Dallas Mavericks. Former Pelican Buddy Heild will replace Thompson. Hield is a 40-percent three-point shooter and averaged 12 points, three rebounds and three assists last season.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The western edge of Louisiana is now in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Beryl, but meteorologist Jonathan Brazzell with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says a landfall as a hurricane in south Texas is what is what’s expected. Brazzell says Louisiana could expect heavy down pours next week….
cut 16 (10) “…Thursday”
Beryl weakened into a tropical storm this afternoon as it moved over Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in yesterday after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies last weekend from a home in the Loranger area. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says surveillance video shows two women taking the dogs from the homeowner’s back porch.
Cut 7 (09) “…jail.”
The search for the puppies continues.

State Police says there are multiple benefits to having a concealed handgun permit, even though Louisiana law now allows adults who are not felons to conceal carry without a permit. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state transportation department says concrete has been poured for new lanes on the 1-20 rehab project in Bossier City. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says it’s an important milestone for the 120-million dollar project and other work is also underway…
cut 4 (08) “…Old Minden road interchange”

1:30 LRN Newscast July 5

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in yesterday after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies from a home in the Loranger area. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the homeowner has no connection with the suspects…

Cut 8 (11)  “…this time.”

Deputies are still searching for the puppies.

As of July 4th, non-felons Louisiana residents over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, without a permit but only in-state. However, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield says if you have a permit purchasing a firearm is easier as opposed to not having one.

Cut  14 (12) “…a permit.” 

Beryl will move across the southern Gulf of Mexico this weekend and is headed towards the Texas-Mexico border. Meteorologist Jonathan Brazzell (bra-ZEL) with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says current forecasts are…

Cut 15 (08) “…landfall.

Beryl is expected to weaken as it moves over land; though it might hit northern Mexico and southern Texas as a hurricane on Monday, it should weaken to a tropical storm by Tuesday. Louisiana can expect minor coastal flooding and heavy rainfall as Beryl moves through Texas

The I-20 major rehabilitation project in Bossier City reaches a significant milestone with the pouring of concrete for new travel lanes. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says it was long overdue.

Cut 3 (12) “…through the area.”

 

12:30 LRN Newscast July 5

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in yesterday after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies last weekend from a home in the Loranger area. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says surveillance video shows two women taking the dogs off their leashes from the homeowner’s back porch.

Cut 7 (09) “…jail.”

As of July 4th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, without a permit but only in-state. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield says if you have a permit, you can carry concealed in 37 other states that allow reciprocity.

Cut  13 (07) “…website.” 

 

23-year-old Colby Stokes from Mount Hermon has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) …I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

11:30 LRN Newscast

As of July 4th, non-felons over the age of 18 can carry a concealed handgun, also known as Constitutional Carry without a permit. However, Louisiana State Police spokesperson Shelby Mayfield reminds residents there are benefits to having a Concealed Handgun Permit, for example, training from certified instructors.
Cut 12 (10) “…procedures.”
Mayfield says those skills allow gun owners to carry confidentially and safely.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 23-year-old man confessed to killing his grandparents. Colby Stokes allegedly shot and killed Beverly and Carly stokes in their Mount Hermon home. Deputies say Stokes went to the next door neighbor and told him what happened…
cut 10 (10) “…long time”
Sheriff Jason Smith says Stokes also confessed to the shooting on video.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Sarah Folse and 52-year-old Deanna Witten, both of Amite, turned themselves in yesterday after they allegedly stole three German Shepherd puppies last weekend from a home in the Loranger area. TPSO spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue…
cut 6 (09) “…those puppies”
Surveillance video shows two women taking the dogs off their leashes from the homeowner’s back porch.

The statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway through Sunday and extra officers will work overtime looking for impaired drivers. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Spokesperson, Greg Fischer, says the Fourth of July weekend has historically been deadly…
Cut 7 (12) “…seriously injured.
Two people were killed early Thursday morning in a head-on crash in Avoyelles Parish.

10:30 LRN Newscast July 5

23-year-old Colby Stokes from Washington Parish has been charged with the murders of his grandparents, Beverly and Carley Stokes. The incident happened Wednesday in Mount Hermon where Stoke’s grandparents were shot in their home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith…

Cut 9 (10) “…of this issue.”

A motive has not been determined but authorities say the suspect, who confessed to the shooting, has had previous mental health and drug issues.

For the first time, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested three people on charges of second-degree murder for their roles in three overdose deaths from methamphetamine and fentanyl. Sheriff Jason Ard says murder charges related to overdose deaths are rare since detectives must prove that someone gave out a particular controlled dangerous substance that led to death.

Cut 4 (06) “…move forward.”

 

We are four months away from the election, will President Joe Biden be on the November 5th ballot? Pollster Ron Faucheux says it’s possible Mr. Biden will step aside so another Democrat can face the presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump

Cut 10 (09) “…days ago.”

The Democratic National Convention is August 19th through the 22nd in Chicago.

If you’ve ever been discouraged after seeing someone throw trash out of their car, or rubbish flying out of the back of someone’s truck, now there’s something you can do about it. Susan Russell with Keep Louisiana Beautiful says you can report them by calling 855-LA-Litter.

Cut 13 (10)  “…litter problem.”

That number again is 855-LA-Litter

9:30 LRN Newscast

There are Democrats in Congress questioning whether President Joe Biden should seek a second term based on his performance in last week’s debate. Political analyst Ron Faucheux says polling will play a big role in the decision on whether Mr. Biden will be the Democrat’s candidate on November 5th…
cut 11 (10) “…positive ratings”
The president admitted in a meeting with Democratic governors, that he needs to get more sleep and he will limit his evening events so he can be rested for the job the next day.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office has charged three men with second-degree murder in three separate cases of three people who died as a result of methamphetamine and fentanyl overdoses. Sheriff Jason Ard has a simple message for the residents of Livingston…
cut 6 (09) “…age is”
32-year-old Travis Freeze of Denham Springs, 33-year-old Logan Brown of Denham Springs and 23-year-old Byrant Young of Baton Rouge are facing murder charges.

There’s a new way to help Keep Louisiana Beautiful by calling the state’s litter hotline at 855-LA-litter. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 23-year-old man has confessed to killing his grandparents. Colby Stokes allegedly shot and killed Beverly and Carly stokes in the small town of Mount Hermon. Deputies say Stokes went to the next door neighbor and told him what happened. Sheriff Jason Smith says Stokes also confessed to the shooting on video.

8:30 LRN Newscast

The Presidential election is four months away, could we see a Democratic candidate other than President Joe Biden on the ballot? Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

It’s no longer necessary to have a permit to conceal carry a gun in most cases as a result of a new law that went into effect on the Fourth of July, but Louisiana State Police is recommending gun owners have a permit. The L-S-P says a permit holder receives valuable handgun safety training and without a permit you cannot conceal carry in most other states.

Louisiana residents can now report acts of litter to a hotline. That number is 8-5-5, L-A- Litter. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Director Susan Russell says When reporting the caller should give the violator’s license plate number, make and model of the vehicle along with the location of the incident. She says if it’s safe to do so take a photo. The call will be routed to the local Wildlife Enforcement Agent.
Cut 14 (09) “…information.”

It’s a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over weekend which means the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission has provided funds to local law enforcement officers to specifically look for impaired drivers. Greg Fisher says If a driver has a blood-alcohol concentration of point zero eight or higher, they are over the legal limit and subject to arrest. He says alcohol isn’t the only substance that could impair driving…
Cut 9 (11) “…to jail.”

7:30 LRN Newscast

If you see someone littering, there’s now a phone number you can call to report it. The new litter hotline number is 855-LA-Litter and it will be managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Keep Louisiana Beautiful Director Susan Russell says the state spends 91-million dollars annually on litter and there are 144 million pieces of trash on Louisiana roadways…
cut 15 (07) “….together”
Russell says litter hurts the environment, the state’s economy and quality of life.

Three House Democrats are now calling for President Biden to end his re-election campaign. Pollster Ron Faucheux…
Cut 12 (11) “…election.”
The President says he’s running for a second-term and Democratic governors say they are supporting the Biden-Harris ticket.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested three people for their roles in the overdose of three different people from methamphetamine and fentanyl. This is the first time the parish has used a law that allows for a murder charge against the person who supplies a drug to an overside victim. District attorney Scott Perrilloux…
cut 5 (11) “…Russian Roulette”

Law enforcement are also upping patrols this weekend in an effort to keep drunk drivers off the roads. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Greg Fischer says they are in the middle of a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over law enforcement campaign…
cut 8 (07) “….people safe”
If you plan to drink, make plans for a designated driver or use a ride share.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football program landed a commitment from a four-star defensive tackle on the fourth of July. Zion Williams is six-foot-three, 330 pounds from Lufkin, Texas. He’s the first defensive tackle in the Tigers Class of 2025 that’s ranked fourth in the country according to on3-dot-com.

Former LSU commit and the nation’s number one wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class, Dakorien Moore from Duncanville, Texas, has committed to Oregon. Last August, Moore committed to the Tigers, but announced his decommitment last May.

LSU football could pick up two more commitments today. Four-star Texas defensive tackle Brandon Brown will announce his verbal pledge at two PM. And later on this afternoon, Four-star weakside defensive end Damien Shanklin from Indianapolis will also announce his decision. He’s been seriously considering LSU, Alabama and Ohio State.

The number one prospect in the college baseball transfer portal is headed to Tennessee. Shortstop Gavin Kilen made his announcement on his Instagram Page. He chose the national champion Volunteers over LSU and Florida. Last season he hit .339 with nine home runs and 22 doubles for the Louisville Cardinals.

In case you missed it, LSU landed a power bat with a commitment from Dalton Beck, who led the Southland Conference in slugging percentage, hits, RBIS and home runs during his junior year. Beck belted 18 home runs for UIW and he was named the Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year.

Northwestern State needs a new softball coach. Lacy Prejean has resigned and we’ll see if she ends up back at U-L Lafayette. Prejean was an assistant coach at U-L Lafayette for five seasons before taking the job at Northwestern State. She played for new Cajuns head coach Alyson Habetz at Alabama.