4:45 LRN Sportscast

Today was the NFL trade deadline and the Saints made a move, trading pro bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore and a 2025 sixth round pick to Washington for two draft picks, third and fourth round selections in next year’s NFL draft. The 28-year-old has 68 pass breakups since he was drafted in 2017. That’s the third most in the NFL during that time. Lattimore goes down as the best cornerback to ever play for the Saints and now he’s with Jadyn Daniels and the Commanders.

LSU is continuing to prepare for its big matchup against Alabama on Saturday night. The Tigers enter the game ranked 111th in the country in rush offense, averaging 115 yards a game. Coach Brian Kelly says it will take a team effort to get the ground game going…

Cut 17 (19) “…people miss.”

Kick-off is at 6:30.

A legendary figure in Louisiana sports history has passed away. William “Dub” Jones of Ruston died at the age of 99…one month shy of his 100th birthday. Jones played eight seasons of professional football and in 1951, he scored six touchdowns in a game against Chicago Bears. Only three other players, including Alvin Kamara, have scored that many TDs in a game. One of his sons, Ben Jones, says his father was an old-school player all the way.

Cut 13 (13)  “…talking for you.”

Another of Dub Jones’ sons was Bert Jones, who was an NFL quarterback for ten seasons and was the NFL MVP in 1976.

In the latest high school football polls….Lutcher is now ranked number one in Class 4A. Teurlings Catholic fell from the top spot to number four after losing to St. Thomas More. Bunkie is the new number ranked Team in Class 3A. The Panthers are 9-and-0 and will face Marksville in the annual Catskin Game.

4:30 LRN Newscast

We could be in for more severe weather. Tropical Storm Rafael’s path has it slamming into the Louisiana Coast Sunday afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannon anticipates Rafael will become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba.

Cut 6 (09) “…Wednesday evening.”

Rafael is expected to weaken from there.

Will the Sixth Congressional District lines need to be changed again? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says how the conservative court will rule is anyone’s guess.

Cut 4 (11) “…in education, employment.”

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has passed away. William “Dub” Jones died over the weekend at the age of 99. In 1951, Jones tied the NFL record with six touchdowns – a feat since equaled by Gayle Sayers and Alvin Kamara. Son Ben Jones said quarterback Otto Graham was determined to get his father the record when coach Paul Brown called a running play late in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…sixth touchdown pass.”

Jones was just one month shy of his 100th birthday.

Just a few hours to go for voting in the presidential election. Nearly a million voters cast ballots in early voting, and that many are expected to vote on Election Day. Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects total turnout to be around 70-percent. The polls will be open until eight o’clock tonight.

3:30 LRN Newscast

Will we have our first female president, or will we have our second president to serve non-consecutive terms? Americans are deciding that issue even as we speak. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says presidential elections always bring out voters.

Cut 10 (09) “…the presidential election.”

Polls close at eight tonight; those already in line at that time will be allowed to vote.

Will the 6th Congressional District need to be redrawn again? The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says the case could have additional ramifications.

Cut 3 (16) “…Constitution’s 14th Amendment.”

Looks like Mother Nature isn’t done with us this year after all. Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to become a hurricane, and while uncertain at this point, the current path takes the storm straight to the Louisiana coast. National Weather Service Meteorologist Christopher Bannon says residents along the Gulf Coast should keep an eye on the storm.

Cut 8 (10) “…over the Central Culf.”

If Rafael makes landfall on the Louisiana Gulf Coast Sunday afternoon as currently forecast, it would do so as a tropical storm. 

Five school buses from St. Bernard Parish are involved in a crash on westbound I-10 in Lafayette. Lafayette Police say one of the buses rear-ended another bus, causing the chain-reaction collision. Six students were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. A truck pulling a band trailer was also involved in the crash.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Hundreds of thousands cast their ballots in early voting in Louisiana, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to do so today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they’re expecting a huge overall voter turnout.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to 71-percent.”

Will there be another change to the 6th Congressional District? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says depending on how the court rules, the lines could be redrawn by the next congressional election in 2026.

Cut 5 (07) “…by mid-2025.”

The current lines will likely result in a Democratic pickup today that could alter the balance of power in the House.

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has died. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the western Caribbean.  Rafael will likely become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba. As it approaches the Gulf of Mexico, Rafael’s path remains uncertain. Despite that, Louisiana is expected to experience some rain starting later this week with a moderate risk of flash flooding in some areas.

LRN PM Newscall Nov 5

The Supreme Court agrees to hear a challenge to the redistricting of Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has died. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

______________________________________

The 6th Congressional District was redrawn to make it the second majority-Black district in the state. The question is – will it stay that way? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law says the case could have additional ramifications.

Cut 3 (16) “…Constitution’s 14th Amendment.” (Does Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act violate the 14th Amendment?)

Ciolino says how the conservative court will rule is anyone’s guess.

Cut 4 (11) “…in education, employment.” (The court has been skeptical about race-based preferences.)

The court will hear a one-hour oral argument early this winter, and the court will issue its ruling towards the end of June of next year. And Ciolino says depending on how the court rules, the lines could be redrawn by the next congressional election in 2026.

Cut 5 (07) “…by mid-2025.”

But for now, the lines as redrawn will remain in place, very likely resulting in a Democratic pickup today that could alter the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

______________________________________

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the western Caribbean.  NWS Meteorologist Christopher Bannon anticipates Rafael will become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba.

Cut 6 (09) “…Wednesday evening.”

Bannon says Rafael’s exact path remains uncertain as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico midweek, with two potential scenarios. One model predicts a northward track toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, while another suggests a westward turn that could send Rafael toward northeastern Mexico.

Cut 7 (12) “…anything significant.”

Despite the path uncertainty, Louisiana is expected to experience some rain starting later this week with a moderate risk of flash flooding in some areas. Bannon says residents along the Gulf Coast are advised to monitor updates as forecasts should become clearer within the next two days.

Cut 8 (10) “…over the Central Culf.”

________________________________________________________

Hundreds of thousands cast their ballots in early voting in Louisiana, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to do so today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says they’re expecting a huge overall voter turnout.

Cut 9 (12)  “…to 71-percent.”

Landry says presidential elections always bring out voters.

Cut 10 (09) “…the presidential election.”

Polls close at eight tonight; those already in line at that time will be allowed to vote.

________________________________________________________

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has passed away. William “Dub” Jones died over the weekend at the age of 99 – just one month shy of his 100th birthday. One of his sons, Ben Jones, says his father was an amazing man.

Cut 11 (10) “…so many people.”

Jones spent eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns of both the All-American Football Conference and later the NFL, leading them to two AAFC titles and three NFL titles. On November 25th, 1951, against the Chicago Bears, he scored six touchdowns, tying an NFL record set in 1929 by Ernie Nevers and has since been equaled by Gayle Sayers and Alvin Kamara. Son Ben said with five touchdowns already under his belt, quarterback Otto Graham was determined to get his father the record when coach Paul Brown called a running play late in the game.

Cut 12 (14) “…sixth touchdown pass.”

Ben says his father was an old-school player all the way.

Cut 13 (13)  “…talking for you.”

Another of Dub Jones’ sons was Bert Jones, who was an NFL quarterback for ten seasons and was the NFL MVP in 1976.

1:30 PM Newscast Nov 5

Louisiana set early voting records in these elections and hundreds of thousands more are expected to do so today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says presidential elections always bring out voters.

Cut 10 (09) “…the presidential election.”

The US Supreme Court will hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in drawing Louisiana’s 6th Congressional district and if it violated the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at Loyola University Law School…

Cut 4 (11) “…in education, employment.”

For now, the redrawn lines will remain in place, very likely resulting in a Democratic pickup in this election that could alter the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the western Caribbean.  NWS Meteorologist Christopher Bannon says Rafael’s exact path remains uncertain as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico midweek, with two potential scenarios. One model predicts a northward track toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, while another suggests a westward turn that could send Rafael toward northeastern Mexico.

Cut 7 (12) “…anthing significant.”

A man considered to be football royalty in Ruston has passed away. William “Dub” Jones died over the weekend at the age of 99 – just one month shy of his 100th birthday. One of his sons, Ben Jones, says his father was an amazing man.

Cut 11 (10) “…so many people.”

Jones spent eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns of both the All-American Football Conference and later the NFL, leading them to two AAFC titles and three NFL titles.

12:30 PM Newscast Nov 5

Hundreds of thousands cast their ballots in early voting in Louisiana, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to do so today. Secretary of State Nancy Landry…

Cut 9 (12)  “…to 71-percent.”

The 6th Congressional District was redrawn to make it the second majority-Black district in the state. The question is – will it stay that way? The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two consolidated cases to determine whether race was the determining factor in the drawing of the district in violation of the 14th Amendment. Professor Dane Ciolino at the Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law…

Cut 3 (16) “…Constitution’s 14th Amendment.”

The Court is expected to hear arguments in early Winter.

Tropical Storm Rafael is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it moves through the western Caribbean.  NWS Meteorologist Christopher Bannon anticipates Rafael will become a Category 1 hurricane before hitting western Cuba.

Cut 6 (09) “…Wednesday evening.”

Bannon says Rafael’s exact path remains uncertain as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico midweek.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Dennis Allen was fired Monday after leading New Orleans to an 18-25 record over two plus seasons. New Orleans failed to make the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 and they are on a seven-game losing streak this year. Most Saints fans are pleased with the decision to let Allen go. Saints tight end Foster Moreau says it’s a shame they couldn’t win more…

Cut 15 (10) “….had to be done”

Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi takes over as the interim head coach. New Orleans hosts the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.

The college basketball season tipped off yesterday with the seventh ranked LSU Lady Tigers easily beating Eastern Kentucky 95 to 44. Junior guard Flau’jae Johnson had 25 points.

The Ragin Cajuns and McNeese suffered opening night losses, while La Tech and ULM both won. The Warhawks are at LSU tomorrow night.

The 14th-ranked LSU Tigers are gearing up to host 11th-ranked Alabama in what has been dubbed a playoff elimination game. Both teams have lost two games this season, and it’s expected that a three-loss team will not make the 12-team College Football Playoff. Coach Brian Kelly does not want his team to focus on the playoff implications of this game…

Cut 16 (20) “….best is needed” 

The Pelicans do not look like a playoff team with all of their injuries. They were outscored by 21 in the fourth quarter and lost to Portland 118 to 100. New Orleans is now 3-and-5 and will conclude its four-game homestand tomorrow by hosting the Cavaliers.

11:30 AM Newscast Nov 5

A tornado touched down in Evangeline Parish this morning and two people have reportedly been injured. Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service say the twister touched down on Highway 190 near Basile around 8:30 this morning. Fortunately, the injuries that occurred appear to be minor. A tornado was spotted on the ground in Acadia Parish.

The Supreme Court agrees to hear a challenge to the redistricting of Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

As you head to the polls today, be assured that the State of Louisiana goes to great lengths to ensure the integrity of the election. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says only certain people are allowed to handle the voting equipment, which is sealed before the election to ensure that it is not tampered with ahead of time.
Cut 26 (09) “…before every election.”

Analysts say today could be a big day for Republicans, based on early voting totals. Louisiana’s early voting turnout set records for in-person voting, with almost a million ballots cast early. JMC Analytics highlighted a drop in Black voter participation, especially in East Baton Rouge Parish. Owner John Couvillon says in 2020, Black voters comprised 30% of early voters; in 2024, they make up only 25% — numbers that he says should bode well for Donald Trump.

Cut 10 (14) “…60 percent.”

Polls will stay open until eight p-m; anyone still in line at that time will indeed be able to vote.

10:30 LRN Newscast

Will Kamala Harris be the country’s first female president, or will Donald Trump be the second person to be elected to two non-consecutive terms? Polls show the answer at this point is anyone’s guess. Results will start to pour in early this evening, and John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says he’s focusing on two states in the early going.

Cut 12 (13) “…those two states.

Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District race has gained national attention after redistricting transformed it into a majority-Black district. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat considers Democrat Cleo Fields to be the frontrunner.

Cut 7 (11) “…cuts into him.”

A Democratic win could hand the balance of power in the House to the Democrats.

Before you head to the polls today, keep in mind that there is a dress code of sorts. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says electioneering is not allowed within 600 feet of the polling place – the distance of two football fields.

Cut 6 (14) “…before you vote.”

Polls will stay open until eight p-m; anyone still in line at that time will indeed be able to vote.

Darren Rizzi is now the Saints’ interim head coach after the team fired Dennis Allen amid a seven-game losing streak. Rizzi says this is not a day for celebration, and that everyone – not just Allen – is to blame.

Cut 13 (07)  “…that we’re in.”

Rizzi says everyone and everything will be evaluated, and changes will be coming.