LRN News | LRN PM Newscall July 26th

The new voice of the Saints is making the transition from the playing field to the press box. Kevin Barnhart has more.

_____________________________________________

A judge has cleared the way for the removal of a confederate monument that sits outside of the Caddo Parish Courthouse. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The preparation is underway for the next voice of the Saints as Zach Strief transitions from the playing field to the press box. Strief, who has no previous broadcasting experience, spent a more than a decade as an offensive tackle with the black and gold. Strief says he’s been listening to other broadcasters call games, but is hoping to find what makes his play by play unique, in time.

Cut 3 (13) “…have a conversation.”

Strief says his time on the gridiron definitely gives him an advantage but says he still feels he has a long road ahead of him to polish his play by play skills.

Cut 4 (11) “…be a fan really.”

Strief says he looks forward to working with Duece McAllister on commentary and says his hope is that this is something truly special to be shared with the Who Dat Nation.

Cut 5 (12) “…on the field.”

Authorities have come to a conclusion on how 69-year-old Terry Angelle of Galliano died after he was discovered with his hands and feet bound together with rope in a bayou on Sunday. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Brennan Matherne says investigators have determined the death was self-inflicted.

Cut 6 (10) “…party was involved.”

Matherne says foul play is not suspected, as he was not robbed.

Cut 7 (03) “…cash on him.”

Matherne says through interviews with family, investigators learned Angelle had a history of depression.

Cut 8 (08) “…respond to treatment.”

_________________________________________________

The US House has passed the National Defense Authorization Act which provides the largest pay raise for troops in nine years. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the pay raises doesn’t just help soldiers, but communities that house military bases too

cut 9 (07) “dollars.”

The legislation also contains 295-million dollars to update B-52 bombers, which frequently take off at Barksdale Air force Base. There’s also 12-million dollars for a new entrance to Barksdale, so a nuclear weapons storage facility can be built there. Abraham says the nuclear upgrade is desperately needed for the base.

Cut 10 (10) “no sense”

And for those concerned about nukes being housed in their neck of the woods…

Cut 11 (07) “gunna happen.”

The NDAA also includes 39 million dollars for new alert facilities at the Belle Chase Naval Air Station.

______________________________________________

A federal judge’s ruling allows for the removal of a confederate monument in front of the Caddo Parish courthouse. Judge Robert James dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Daughters of the Confederacy, who said the parish couldn’t remove the monument because it sat on private property. Caddo Parish Commissioner Steven Jackson says it’s a step forward for the community.

Cut 12 (09) “be equal.”

The monument was erected in 1903, and the commission voted 7-5 in October of 2017 for its removal, deciding it would be better placed in a museum or memorial site.

Jackson says placing the monument in front of a courthouse was highly inappropriate because of the effect it could have had on the proceedings taking place inside court of law.

Cut 13 (11) “the jury”

The judge also rejected the Daughter’s claim that the commission had violated their free speech and equal protection rights during the proceedings. Jackson says the President of the United Daughters of The Confederacy were given an opportunity to speak in front of the commission, and that their organizations rights were never jeopardized.

Cut 14 (10) “not true”

The Daughters claimed that the land the monument was placed on over a century ago was private land reserved for the monument in a Caddo Parish Police Jury meeting, and the parish did not have the right to remove it.