Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.10.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Ka’Maorreum Pimpton is the latest player to reportedly enter the NCAA transfer portal. The six-foot-six tight end from Fort Worth, Texas was reportedly in line to see a lot more playing time next season, with Mason Taylor declaring for the NFL draft. Pimpton’s departure leaves LSU with just two tight ends on its roster, freshman Trey’Dez Green and four-star signee J-D LaFleur.

Fourteen players from the 2024 LSU football team have entered the transfer portal and there’s speculation wide receiver Chris Hilton could join that group.  Blake Ruffino from A-Y-S Sports says it’s hard to say what Hilton will do…

Cut 18 (13)   “…for you.”

LSU is reportedly targeting Kentucky receiver Barion Brown in the transfer portal. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns last season. Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt will reportedly visit LSU after racking up five sacks for the Boilermakers this season.

Franklinton will play for a state championship on Friday night when they face Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

Cecilia is in the state championship game for a second straight season and they also have a talented quarterback in D-J Solari.

Former St. Thomas More and LSU quarterback Walker Howard is reportedly coming home. Howard who was a back-up Q-B at Ole Miss the last two seasons is returning to Lafayette to play for the Ragin Cajuns. Howard led the STM Cougars to back-to-back state championships and was ranked as one of the top quarterbacks coming out of high school.

12.10.24
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LRN PM Newscall December 10

Small Business optimism is the highest it’s been since June 2021. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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With the holiday season here, make sure you protect yourself from potentially deadly illnesses. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners” 

Long says positive changes made here in Louisiana are lowering the personal income tax to 3-percent, and no longer have to pay an inventory tax are great news for small businesses, and says reform was a move in the right direction.

Cut 4 (07) “…in general.”

Challenges persist, as some owners reported unfilled job openings, and inflation remains the top concern.

Cut 5 (11) “…of how high inflation is.”

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The holiday season is here; and with that, there will be many celebration gatherings. The holiday season is usually the time when flu and COVID-19 cases tick up. Dr. Gabrielle Givens with St. Tammany Hospital says the very best way you can protect yourself is getting vaccinated.

Cut 6 (11) “…or influenza vaccines.”

Dr. Givens says the vaccines are in abundant supply and have been updated for this winter.

Cut 7 (08) “…influenza or COVID-19.”

Givens says while neither the flu nor the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent someone from contracting either virus, they can minimize symptoms and complications.

Cut 8 (07) “…case scenario, death.”

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It’s Prep Classic week as 16 high school football teams will play for state championships in the Caesars Superdome starting on Thursday. The division four select title game kicks-off the Prep Classic at noon and Vermilion Catholic head coach Broc Prejean (PRAY-ZHAWN) is hoping to lead the school to its third title…

Cut 9 (11)  “…home for,”

Vermilion Catholic will face Ouachita Christian at noon Thursday. It’s a rematch of the 2022 state title game that saw O-C-S win 28-14. V-C is led by quarterback Jonathan Dartez who set a state record for total touchdowns for a career in last week’s shutout win over Kentwood. The four-year starter wants to cap his high school career with a championship…

Cut 10 (11) “…blessed to be back.”

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Franklinton will play for a state championship on Friday night when they face Cecilia. The Demons are seeking their first state title since 2010 and the second in history. Demons head coach Nick Saltaformaggio says he has the best kept secret in Louisiana, his starting quarterback Jacob Crain who has thrown for 24 touchdowns..

Cut 11 (13) “…really really talented.

The Demons also have a running back in Sy Austin that’s rushed for nearly two-thousands and has 28 touchdowns on the season. Saltaformaggio says Austin has gotten stronger since he arrived as the head coach at the Washington Parish school in 2023…

Cut 12 (10) “…offensive line.”

The Division two non-select state title game between Franklinton and Cecilia is at 7 PM.

12.10.24
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

It’s unclear who will start at quarterback on Sunday for the Saints against the Washington Commanders. Starter Derek Carr has a facture of his non-throwing hand and he’s in the concussion protocol. When Carr was hurt earlier this season, Spencer Rattler started multiple games. But interim head coach Darren Rizzi says Jake Haener is also a possibility to start…

Cut 29 (21) “…positivity to the table”

Another big night for LSU star Joe Burrow last night as the Heisman winning trophy quarterback threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns in the Bengals 27 to 20 win over the Cowboys. Two of those touchdowns went to JaMarr Chase, including the game winner with about a minute left.

The transfer portal opened Monday and hundreds of college football players jumped in. 247 sports is reporting former Oklahoma receiver Nic Anderson has narrowed his choices between LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. Blake Ruffino with Are You Series Sports says Anderson had ten touchdown catches in 2023 for the Sooners, but injuries kept him off the field last season

Cut 17 (12)  “…athleticism.” 

The Ragin Cajuns will take on TCU in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28th. U-L Lafayette is coming off a 31-3 loss to Marshall in the Sun Belt Championship game. But Coach Michael Desormeaux says that’s now ancient history and the task at hand is preparing for the Horned Frogs…

Cut 20 (08) “…regrouping after disappointment”

Desormeaux says it’s a possibility quarterback Ben Woolridge can play in the bowl game after breaking his collarbone on November 16th.

12.10.24
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10:30 LRN Newscast

Optimism is the highest it’s been for small business owners since June 2021. That’s according to the latest national survey of small business owners. NFIB State Director Leah Long says the results of the Presidential election signal a major shift in economic policy…

Cut 3 (13) “…small business owners”

Long says unfilled job openings remain a concern.

A nearly ten-thousand square foot cannabis dispensary has opened in Lake Charles. It’s believed to be the largest cannabis dispensary in the South. Good Day Farm chief retail officer Laurie Gregory says medical marijuana is a growing industry…

Cut 26 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport has its matchup, Army versus Marshall, a battle between two teams that won their respective conferences. The game will take place Saturday December 28th. Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says there will be several events leading up to the game, especially the day before on the 27th…

Cut 9 (14) “…concert as well”

Then on game day, the free Coca Cola Fan Fest starts at 3:00, with music, games and fun. Kickoff on December 28th is at 8:15.

The transfer portal opened Monday and hundreds of college football players jumped in. 247 sports is reporting former Oklahoma receiver Nic Anderson has narrowed his choices between LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. Blake Ruffino with Are You Series Sports says Anderson had ten touchdown catches in 2023 for the Sooners, but injuries kept him off the field last season

Cut 17 (12)  “…athleticism.” 

12.10.24
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8:30 LRN Newscast

There’s news of another artificial data center coming to Louisiana, bringing hundreds of permanent jobs. This one would be in West Feliciana built by Hut 8. Hut 8 mines Bitcoin and operates energy infrastructure in North America. West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard says this A-I data center would contain ten-billion dollars’ worth of computers and equipment and will be a major tax revenue generator …

Cut 12 (08) “…dollars et cetera”

The first of two buildings could be operational by the end of next year.

A nearly ten-thousand square foot cannabis dispensary has opened in Lake Charles. It’s believed to be the largest cannabis dispensary in the South. Good Day Farm chief retail officer Laurie Gregory says medical marijuana is a growing industry in the state…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana”

The matchup for the Independence Bowl in Shreveport is set – Marshall against Army. Erik Evenson (EE-vin-son) with the Independence Bowl says this is one of the best matchups in the bowl’s long history.

Cut 7 (10) “…a ranked team.”

Army is ranked 22nd and will play this Saturday against Navy. The Independence Bowl is set for Saturday night on December 28th.

The state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987 is underway in a section of northeast Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan says it’s a remarkable milestone in the state’s conservation efforts of the black bear….

Cut 14 (14) “…have a season”

Ten black bear hunting tags were allocated through a lottery, but the state made sure the first tag went to a Louisiana military veteran through a partnership with Healing Road Foundation.

12.10.24
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Yet another artificial intelligence data center is coming to Louisiana. This latest one will be in West Feliciana Parish for a company called Hut 8, which operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites throughout North America. Parish President Kenny Havard says this is a good time for businesses to set up shop in Louisiana

Cut 10 (08) “…to be working.”

The data center is expected to create several hundred permanent jobs in West Feliciana Parish.

The largest medical cannabis store in the South has opened in Lake Charles. Good Day Farm Chief Retail Officer Laurie Gregory says the ten-thousand square foot facility is located near Golden Nugget and L’Auberge casinos…

Cut 6 (10) “….cannabis products”

State law does not say you have to be a Louisiana resident to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. And in Texas, it’s harder to qualify for a medical marijuana prescription than in Louisiana.

Shreveport is getting ready to welcome visitors from New York and West Virginia for the Independence Bowl. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Voters in Monroe approved the renewal of the one-percent Capital Infrastructure Sales Tax. The tax has been around since 1994 and it helps pay for better streets, sewers, drainage, waterworks, bridges and public facilities. Mayor Friday Ellis says the vote reflects the community’s commitment to long-term planning and efficient use of tax dollars.

12.10.24
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The transfer portal is open in college athletics and the LSU Tigers are looking for receivers. LSU has been named a team to watch for Barion Brown, who had 29 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season. Blake Ruffino for A-Y-S Sports says other SEC schools will also be interested

Cut 16 (19) “…he does.”

LSU is also reportedly in the running to land a pass rusher out of the Big Ten. Nebraska’s Jimari Butler is reportedly looking at LSU, Texas A-and-M and Florida State. Butler recorded 7.5 sacks during his three seasons for the Cornhuskers.

Former St. Thomas More and LSU quarterback Walker Howard is on the move again. Howard who was a back-up Q-B at Ole Miss the last two seasons has reportedly entered the transfer portal. ON-three-dot-com is reporting Howard could return home to Lafayette to play for the Ragin Cajuns.

UL Lafayette will take on TCU in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Saturday, December 28th. Cajuns Head Coach Michael Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says it’s a great way to wrap up a successful season.

Cut 19 (14) “…a part of.”

Desormeaux says it’s a possibility quarterback Ben Wooridge could play in the bowl game after breaking his collarbone against South Alabama on November 16th.

Will Saints quarterback Derek Carr play this Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says Carr has a fractured non-throwing hand and he’s also dealing with a concussion…

Cut 28 (10) “…both”

Rizzi says reports that Carr will miss the rest of the season are false and he considers the veteran Q-B week to week.

12.10.24
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

Yet another data center is coming to Louisiana. Andrew Greenstein reports this one will be in West Feliciana Parish.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Cooler weather is moving today because of a cold front. High temperature around 60-degrees for north Louisiana. In central Louisiana, temps are in the mid 60s, but the temperature will drop as the day goes on. Still seeing some thunderstorms in south Louisiana.

The largest medical marijuana dispensary store in the South is open in Lake Charles. The ten-thousand-square-foot Good Day Farms facility is located near the major casinos and replaces a smaller location. It includes a drive-thru, product displays, and unmedicated taste tests of THC and CBD gummies. Chief Retail Officer Laurie Gregory says the modern, colorful design resembles a sneaker store rather than a pharmacy, aiming to destigmatize cannabis use.

Cut 4 (11) “…in Lake Charles”

The state announces a partnership to support black bear conservation and military veterans. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan says the department is partnering with the Healing Road Foundation.

Cut 13 (07)  “…and to fish.”

Through this partnership, the foundation raffled off a black bear harvest permit for 2024 to a military veteran. Sheahan says this partnership is just in time for the state’s first black bear hunting season since 1987, which began last Saturday.

12.09.24
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Reports of Derek Carr’s demise for the 2024 season are greatly exaggerated. After Carr left yesterday’s win over the Giants with an injury to his non-throwing hand, reports surfaced that Carr would miss the remainder of the season. However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi says that’s not true.

Cut 12 (07) “…week plays out.”

Carr is also in concussion protocol.

The winter transfer portal opened today and the LSU Tigers are looking for receivers. LSU has been named a team to watch for Barion Brown, who had 29 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season. Blake Ruffino for A-Y-S Sports says other SEC schools will also be interested…

Cut 16 (19) “…he does”

UL Lafayette will take on TCU in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Saturday, December 28th. Cajuns Head Coach Mike Desormeaux (DEZ-er-mo) says it’s a great way to wrap up a successful season.

Cut 19 (14) “…a part of.”

The Cajuns are 10-and-3, while the Horned Fogs are 8-and-4.

The Sugar Bowl is a quarterfinal game this year in the new 12-team college football playoff. The SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs are in the game and will face the winner of a first round playoff matchup between Notre Dame and Indiana. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley is excited about the high stakes matchup….

Cut 7 (11) “…at all”

Kick off is New Year’s Day night at 7:45.

12.09.24
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

It wasn’t a master piece, but the Saints beat the New York Giants 14 to 11 yesterday to improve to five and eight, two games back of first place Tampa Bay. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi says being in playoff contention motivates the team…

Cut 18 (16) “….for us”

But Saints quarterback Derek Carr reportedly fractured his non-throwing hand and could miss this Sunday’s game against Washington.

The college football winter transfer portal opens today and the Tigers are losing two receivers to the portal, CJ Daniels and Shelton Sampson. So it’s a priority for LSU to sign multiple receivers out of the portal. One name connected to LSU is Texas Tech transfer Micah Henderson, a five-star recruit.

It was a lost weekend for Louisiana teams vying for championships, as all three go down to defeat, punctuated by the Ragin’ Cajuns loss in the Sun Belt title game. Andrew Greenstein is at Cajun Field in Lafayette with more.

Cut 20 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Cajuns will play in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28th against TCU.

The LSU Tigers are headed back to the Texas Bowl as they’ll play Baylor on New Year’s Eve afternoon in Houston. Kick off is at 2:30.