1:30 LRN Newscast

Former President Donald Trump will be in New Orleans today for a fundraiser hosted by two of Louisiana’s biggest Republican donors, Boysie Bollinger and Joe Canizaro. Bollinger says Trump is confident he will win Louisiana like he did in 2020, so he’s stopping by to raise campaign funds, not to campaign.
cut 13 (08) “…doing that.”

 
Beginning January 1st, teachers must undergo a criminal background check with the state to receive certification. If a certified teacher is convicted of a crime, like violence or harm against children, after they are employed, Arthur Joffrion (Joe-free-on) with the Louisiana Department of Education says the Louisiana State Police, who conduct the background checks, would notify the department and the teacher’s employer, which would automatically keep a certified teacher out of the classroom.
cut 4 (09) “…agency.”
The new policy is a result of legislation passed in 2023.

 
Cleco customers will see a rate increase next month of around five dollars, which will jump to 13 dollars in October. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix says the rise is necessary to curb inflation and increased operating and maintenance costs. However, PSC Davante Lewis, who voted against the increase, says Cleco recently lost a contract selling power to another Louisiana power company…
cut 8 (07) “…ratepayers.”

 
Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon. Richardson is one of the biggest track stars in the world, and her one-month suspension for testing positive for cannabis was a huge story in 2021. Richardson says she never stopped believing in herself.
cut 11 (11) “…your last.”

12:30 LRN Newscast June 24

Beginning January 1st to receive their certification, teachers must undergo a criminal background check with the state. Currently, it’s up to local school systems to require those checks, but now Arthur Joffrion with the Louisiana Department of Education says it’s a state requirement.

Cut 3 (10) “…our educators.”

The new policy is a result of legislation passed in 2023.

Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon. Richardson, who was banned from competing in the 2021 Tokyo Games because of a positive marijuana test, was emotional when she crossed the finish line on Saturday

Cut 10 (10) “…today.”

Richardson competed at LSU in 2019.

Cleco customers will see a rate increase next month, but the reason why depends on who you ask. Mel Bridges has more.

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Mel Bridges.” 

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon. Richardson, who was banned from competing in the 2021 Tokyo Games because of a positive marijuana test, was emotional when she crossed the finish line on Saturday
Cut 10 (10) “…today.”
Richardson is one of the biggest track stars in the world and her one-month suspension for testing positive for cannabis was a huge story in 2021. The Texas native admitted to smoking pot to cope with the unexpected death of her biological mother.

Former LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese scored a career-high 25 points and had 16 rebounds as the Chicago Sky rallied to beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 88 to 87. Reese now has a WNBA rookie record of eight straigh double-doubles.

The College World Series will be decided tonight as Texas A-and-M and Tennessee will face off in the third and final game of their championship series. The Vols hit two home runs to beat the Aggies four to one yesterday.

Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs has signed a five-year extension with the school following his seventh season in Ruston. Burroughs has led the Bulldogs to NCAA Regional appearances in 3 of the last 4 seasons and three Conference-USA championships. He’s happy to call Ruston home…
Cut 17 (18) “…but our family.”
The Bulldogs were 45-and-19, 18-and-6 in the league, finishing in first place in Conference USA.

Nicholls baseball star Jacob Mayers is transferring to LSU. In two seasons in Thibodaux, Mayers has compiled a 14-and-2 win-loss record and an ERA of 3.26.

Westgate football star Jaboree Antonie has re-opened his recruiting as he’s decomitted from LSU. He’s one of the top cornerbacks in the country in for the 2025 recruiting class and is now considering Miami and Florida State too.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Former President Donald Trump will be in New Orleans today for a big money campaign fundraiser. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The former President agrees the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public classrooms. Louisiana passed a law to do so. Trump said on his social media network how can the nation go wrong by displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools. The Louisiana ACLU of will file a federal lawsuit this afternoon to block the law from taking effect.

Cleco customers will see a rate increase next month of around five dollars, which will jump to 13 dollars in October. Spokesperson Fran Phoenix says while she understands that the rise may come as a shock, it was needed due to inflation and increased operating and maintenance costs.
Cut 6 (09) “…customer.”
PSC Commissioner Davante Lewis, who voted against the rate increase, says Cleco is actually raising prices to force consumers to pay for lost revenue due to a failed contract deal.

Former LSU sprinter Sha’Carri Richarson is heading to the Paris Olympics as a favorite to win a Gold Medal after a 10.71 second sprint in the 100-meters at the U.S. track trials in Oregon. Richardson, who was banned from competing in the 2021 Tokyo Games because of a positive marijuana test, was emotional when she crossed the finish line on Saturday
Cut 10 (10) “…today.”
Richardson is one of the biggest track stars in the world and her one-month suspension for testing positive for cannabis was a huge story in 2021. The Texas native admitted to smoking pot to cope with the unexpected death of her biological mother.

10:30 LRN Newscast June 24

Former President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans today for a campaign fundraiser, days before his debate with President Biden. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says he expects Trump will use the debate to prove his candidacy and attack Biden.

Cut 5 (08) “…easy examples.”

That debate will be held Thursday at 8 o’clock on CNN.

High School students in Louisiana will no longer be required to take the ACT, even though ten out of 11 BESE members asked lawmakers to reject the legislation. BESE President Ronnie Morris worries it could result in missed opportunities for some students.

Cut 8 (12) “…scholarship programs.” 

It will go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.

Governor Jeff Landry issued a controversial veto last week and the debate over the bill continues into this week. Landry vetoed 27 bills from the recently completed regular session and the veto of House Bill 423 is getting the most attention because Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine says it’s part of a package of bills that would have improved the legal climate for auto insurance companies…

Cut 14 (07)  “…more friendly.”
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says the current Collateral Source Doctrine produces windfall payments that result in accident victims getting more than they deserve….

Cut 16 (05) “…Ferrari.” 

Landry says the proposed change to the Collateral Source Doctrine would result in car crash victims not receiving the payouts they deserved following a car crash.

9:30 LRN Newscast

Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine would like to see a veto session after his bill to reform the state’s current collateral source rule was vetoed by the governor. Melerine says his House Bill 423 could have helped lower auto insurance premiums by awarding payouts that match the cost of a person’s medical bills following a car crash
Cut 13 (09) “…override it.”
Governor Landry says the proposed change to the Collateral Source Doctrine would result in car crash victims not receiving the payouts they deserved following a car crash. He says he’s trying to protect the working class…
Cut 15 (06) “…(x2) working class.”
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple the current Collateral Source Doctrine produces windfall payments that result in accident victims getting more than they deserve.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year high school students pursuing a career diploma will not be required to take the ACT. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Over 100 schools in 40 parishes this summer is receiving up to 50-thousand dollars to make their schools safer. Rubby Douglas with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says this money should help boost preventive and protective measures on school campuses…
cut 12 (05) “…for students”

8:30 LRN Newscast

One lawmaker is calling for a veto session after his tort reform bill that attempted to address the state’s high auto insurance rates was vetoed. Jeanne Burns has the story…
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeanne Burns.”

A body found yesterday in Bastrop in a wooded area near Vesta Street has been sent to Little Rock, Arkansas for an autopsy. Bastrop Police Leondrio Reed says they’ve identified the body, but they are not releasing the person’s identity. Cheif Reed says they will work hard until the case is resolved.

Donald Trump will be in New Orleans later today for a fundraiser for his presidential campaign. Trump is also preparing for Thursday’s televised debate versus President Joe Biden. John Couvillon of JMC Analytics and Polling says the televised debate is probably more important for the President, as there are concerns of a cognitive decline for the 81-year-old Biden…
cut 6 (09) “….the office”
The first 2024 presidential debate will be held Thursday at 8 P.M. CST on CNN.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is providing five million dollars in grant money that schools can use to make their campuses safer. GOHSEP Director of Strategic Engagement Rubby Douglas says 126 projects in 40 parishes will receive up to 50-thousand dollars…
cut 11 (10) “…those schools”

7:30 LRN Newscast

Former President Donald Trump will be in New Orleans today for a big money campaign fundraiser for his presidential campaign. JMC Analytics and Polling’s John Couvillon says Trump is in great shape to win Louisiana in November, but the money his campaign will gain from today’s fundraiser can be spent anywhere.
Cut 4 (10) “…here in New Orleans.”
Tickets to attend the fundraiser cost 33-hundred dollars a person.

Louisiana Lawmakers have approved a law that no longer makes taking the ACT test a requirement for high school students pursuing a career diploma, starting with the 2025-26 school year. Board of Elementary Secondary Education President Ronnie Morris says BESE urged the Louisiana legislature not to pass this law…
cut 9 (09) “….conversation again”
Proponents of the legislation say the state should not mandate for a student to take a test when they do not plan on attending college.

Governor Jeff Landry issued a controversial veto last week and the debate over the bill continues into this week. Landry vetoed 27 bills from the recently completed regular session and the veto of House Bill 423 is getting the most attention because Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine says it’s part of a package of bills that would have improved the legal climate for auto insurance companies…
Cut 14 (07) “…more friendly.”
Landry says the proposed change to the Collateral Source Doctrine would result in car crash victims not receiving the payouts they deserved following a car crash. He says he’s trying to protect the working class…
Cut 15 (06) “…(x2) working class.”
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is calling for a special session to pass tort reform legislation that would result in an improved auto insurance market.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

A four-star edge rusher from Tampa has committed to the LSU football program. Six foot five Jesse Harrold gave a verbal pledge to the Tigers after also considering Texas A-and-M, Auburn and Miami. On3’s industry rankings has Harrold ranked as the 15th best edge rusher in the country

But one of the state’s top high school prospects in the Class of 2025 has decommitted from the Tigers. Westgate’s Jaboree Antoine announced on Sunday he’s now also considering Miami and Florida State. He’s considered one of the top prospects in the country for 2025.

Angel Reese had 25 points and 16 rebounds as Reese and the Chicago Sky got the best of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 88 to 87 yesterday. That’s now a WNBA rookie record eight straight double-doubles.

Former LSU star Sha’Carri Richardson has qualified for the US Olympic team as she won the 100 meters at the U-S Track trials with a time of 10.71. That’s the fastest time for a woman in the world this year.

One of the top pitchers in the Southland Conference is transferring to LSU. Jacob Mayers had two outstanding seasons at Nicholls and the former St. Amant Gator announced his commitment to the Tigers over the weekend. The six-foot-five right-hander has a fastball that can get into the upper 90s.

Louisiana Tech baseball coach Lane Burroughs has signed a new five-year contract which extends his deal through 2029. The Bulldogs will look a lot different next year as eight of the nine offensive starters last season were seniors. Burroughs will also lose out on the team’s two best relief pitchers Sam Broderson and All-American Ethan Bates. Burroughs says they have several transfers coming in..
Cut 19 (17) “…for the spring.”
One of the new transfers is Zeb Ruddell from Monroe. Ruddell only got ten at-bats last season at LSU after a standout high school career at Neville.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Former President Donald Trump will visit New Orleans today for a big money campaign fundraiser. Mel Bridges has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Mel Bridges.”

The former President agrees the Ten Commandments should be displayed in public classrooms. Louisiana passed a law to do so, but it faces legal challenges. Trump said on his social media network how can the nation go wrong by displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools. Opponents of the effort says it’s a violation of church-state separation.

High School students in Louisiana will no longer be required to take the ACT, even though ten out of 11 BESE members asked lawmakers to reject the legislation. BESE President Ronnie Morris worries it could be a missed opportunity for students who aren’t initially college-bound…
Cut 7 (10) “…light bulb moment.”
Proponents say this will allow the state’s test average to improve because it will be more reflective of education in Louisiana and college-bound students.

Shreveport Representative Michael Melerine would like to see a veto session after his bill to reform the state’s current collateral source rule was vetoed by the governor. Melerine says his House Bill 423 could have helped lower auto insurance premiums by awarding payouts that match the cost of a person’s medical bills following a car crash
Cut 13 (09) “…override it.”
A veto session would take place in the middle of July if lawmakers elected to hold a veto session.