Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.13.26
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LRN PM Newscall November 13

An operation targeting sex offenders using social media networks nets 35 arrests. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Rick Gallot is out and Cade Brumley is in as the new University of Louisiana System president. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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35 men are arrested in a multi-agency operation targeting registered sex offenders using social media networks. The suspects were found to be using Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and others – sites which under Louisiana law registered sex offenders are prohibited from using. In a news conference, Attorney General Liz Murrill says law enforcement throughout the state is tackling the issue head-on.

Cut 3 (10) “…even a moment.” 

The operation, dubbed Operation Safe Networks, took place between August and October by the Orleans Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Murrill says while law enforcement will work tirelessly to take child predators off the streets, parents need to be vigilant as well.

Cut 4 (08) “…not their friend.”

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says social media networks are not safe places for children.

Cut 5 (09) “…to child suicide.”

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LSU Health Shreveport has set a new record for research funding, securing 44-million dollars in external grants and awards during the last fiscal year. That’s an 18-million-dollar increase over the previous year. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Doctor Oren Rom says the record reflects years of work to build a stronger and more competitive research operation…

Cut 6 (07) “…quite challenging.”

Among the major accomplishments was a five-year, 7.5-million-dollar National Science Foundation grant to study how RNA molecules and protein modifications regulate metabolism.

LSU Health Shreveport also received an 11-million-dollar federal grant renewal to support its immunology research. Rom says cardiovascular issues and cancer are the leading causes of death in this state and research to prevent these diseases is conducted at LSH Health Shreveport…

Cut 7 (11)  “…research”

Rom says they also have brought in 26 new reporters to LSI Health Shreveport…

Cut 8 (13) “…unheard of.”

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Swyft Fiber is expanding its operations and will build its new headquarters in Metairie. President of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Jerry Bologna, says Swift Fiber employs more than 230 people today and they plan to grow to more than 300 employees by the end of 2027…

Cut 9 (08)  “…here.” 

Bologna says the internet provider is also making a one-billion-dollar investment in broadband infrastructure…

Cut 10 (08) “…as a result.” 

Swyft Fiber currently operates in five states. Bologna says Swyft Fiber’s existing network will grow from more than 160-thousand homes and businesses to more than 500-thousand over the next four years…

Cut 11 (11) “…expansion.”

Most of the company’s planned network will be built underground to reduce exposure to high winds from hurricanes and severe storms.

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Tomorrow night, its 21st ranked LSU and sixth ranked Texas in the final home game of the season for the Tigers. A loss for LSU and its College Football Playoff chances are done after suffering their third loss of the season last week against Alabama. Coach Lane Kiffin says he’s glad they are playing another Top Ten team…

Cut 12 (12) “…want to be.”

The inability to score touchdowns when inside the red zone has been a problem in all three of the Tigers losses. In SEC games, the Tigers have failed to score touchdowns on ten of their drives that got inside the ten-yard line. Kiffin says when you play good teams, you have to execute…

Cut 13 (11) “…execute really well.”

Kick off is at 6:30.

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Before the LSU football game on Saturday night, the LSU men’s basketball team will face its biggest test of the season as the Tigers visit 14th ranked Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington. Bulldogs head coach Mark Few is impressed with the 3-and-0 Tigers…

Cut 14 (11) “..international ranks.”

LSU has won its first three games by a margin of 40 points or more. First time that’s ever happened in program history. Coach Will Wade says Gonzaga presents a huge challenge for his team…

Cut 15 (11) “…Hall of Fame coach.”

Tip time is at 2:30.

11.13.26
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1:30 LRN Newscast

An operation targeting sex offenders using social media networks nets 35 arrests. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A former New Roads police officer and volunteer firefighter will spend the rest of his life in prison, and he will be castrated for raping multiple children. Judge Kevin Kimball says it was the worst case of child sex abuse he’s seen. It took a jury only 39 minutes to convict 31-year-old Kendreyon Williams of three counts of first-degree rape of juveniles and other charges.

LSU Health Shreveport has shattered a record for research funding. LSU Health Shreveport secured 44-million dollars in external research funding last fiscal year, an 18-million dollar increase over the previous year. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, Doctor Oren Rom, says the record reflects years of work to build a stronger, more competitive research enterprise…

Cut 6 (07) “…quite challenging.”

Among the highlights was a five-year, 7.5-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to study how RNA molecules and protein modifications regulate metabolism. The year also included 11-million-dollar federal grant renewal supporting immunology research.

Tomorrow will be the final home game of the season for the LSU Tigers who need to keep their college football playoff chances alive. Coach Lane Kiffin says execution against Texas, especially in the red zone, will be the key…

Cut 13 (11) “…execute really well”

Kick off is at 6:30.

11.13.26
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has posted the largest gain of any state in the Tax Foundation’s 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says the state has moved up nine spots to 23rd overall.

Cut 7 (09) “…Georgia at 24.”

Coniglio says the improvement is the result of the tax reform package approved in 2024. One of the major changes that went into effect in 2025 was a flat three-percent income tax rate.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry is up re-election next year and he could face several Democratic challengers. Gary Crockett says he’s in. The man who beat him out for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, Jamie Davis, is seriously considering a run after coming close to beating Julia Letlow last week. Another Democrat considering a run is Alexandria State Senator Jay Luneau.

Cut 4 (10) “…leap or not.”

The 63-year-old is a lawyer in Alexandria and adjunct professor at Northwestern State. He’s been in the Louisiana legislature since 2016.

Louisiana is receiving three million dollars from the USDA that will be used to hire technicians and deploy traps to trick the pigs into being captured. That’s according to Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, who says the funds will be used in 27 parishes in the Red River and Mississippi River Basins…

Cut 15 (07) “…swine”

Strain says there are 700 to 900-thousand feral pigs, many of them are causing damage to crop fields, costing farmers around 100-million dollars every year.

The US Drought monitor this week shows that nearly one-fifth of the state is suffering from exceptional drought conditions. North-central Louisiana, west of Alexandria and a portion of southwest Louisiana are all considered in exceptional drought. LSU Climatologist Jay Grymes says there is a chance we’ll see rain on Sunday and Monday…

Cut 11 (09) “…right back up”

Heading out to a high school game tonight? It will get chilly, low temperatures for a majority of the state will be in the 30s on Saturday.

11.13.26
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has moved up nine spots to number 23 in the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index. Revenue Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says the improvement is the result of the tax reform package approved in 2024. One of the major changes that went into effect in 2025 was a flat three-percent income tax rate. Conigilo says the change resulted in more take home pay.

Cut 8 (10) “…taxpayers in Louisiana.”

Louisiana now stands 17 places higher than it did in 2024.

21st ranked LSU hosts sixth ranked Texas on Saturday night. New Orleans native Arch Manning leads the Longhorns, but says the matchup is not personal…

Cut 18 (12) “…connection really”

Last night in Monroe, the Ragin Cajuns run game was too strong and U-L Lafayette beat ULM 42-21.

 

There are many people saddened over the passing of state representative Michael Bayham of Chalmette. The 52-year-old was in his first term in the Louisiana House and just successfully worked to pass a Constitutional Amendment that limits a governor to two lifetime terms. Political consultant and former college roommate Jason Redmond…

Cut 21 (12) “…for him to do”

Bayham died from liver failure.

A state lawmaker in central Louisiana is thinking about running for governor. State Senator Jay Luneau of Alexandria is one of the more vocal Democrats in the Legislature and he sees that the party has been energized. He’s interested to see if that momentum continues when a Democratic controlled Congress takes over in January…

Cut 5 (09) “…or not”

11.13.26
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Louisiana has posted the largest gain of any state in the Tax Foundation’s 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Jarrod Coniglio says the state has moved up nine spots to 23rd overall.

Cut 7 (09) “…Georgia at 24.”

Coniglio says the improvement is the result of the tax reform package approved in 2024. One of the major changes that went into effect in 2025 was a flat three-percent income tax rate.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry is up re-election next year and he could face several Democratic challengers. Gary Crockett says he’s in. The man who beat him out for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, Jamie Davis, is seriously considering a run after coming close to beating Julia Letlow last week. Another Democrat considering a run is Alexandria State Senator Jay Luneau.

Cut 4 (10) “…leap or not.”

The 63-year-old is a lawyer in Alexandria and adjunct professor at Northwestern State. He’s been in the Louisiana legislature since 2016.

 

Feral hogs is a major problem for the farming community….

Cut 14 (11) “…deal of runoff”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says It’s estimated that these wild pigs cost farmers around 100-million dollars in damages every year. But some good news. The USDA is providing the state with three million dollars that can be used to deploy traps that capture the hogs.

Tonight is the first round of the high school football playoffs. If you are heading out to a game, dress warm, because State Climatologist Barry Keim says some chilly weather is moving in…

Cut 12 (09) “…for Saturday morning”

There’s a chance for rain late Sunday into Monday.

11.13.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast November 13

Tomorrow night it’s 21st LSU and sixth ranked Texas in the final home game of the season for the Tigers. The two head coaches, Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian know each other well. They first coached together at USC 25 years ago, again shared a staff at Alabama in 2016 and have crossed paths throughout their mirrored careers. Sarkisian says they were both heavily influenced by Nick Saban and Pete Carroll, and he recalls something Carroll told them.

Cut 20 (17) “…both of us.”

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks continues to be listed as questionable for the game.

Erik McCoy is not expected to start at center for the Saints when they host the Panthers on Sunday. Cesar Ruiz will move from right guard to center and rookie Jeremiah Wright will make his second career start at right guard. Carolina has struggled to stop the run, ranking 28th in rush defense.

Louisiana Tech could win a Sun Belt West title tomorrow in its first season back in the conference. The 7-and-2 Bulldogs host 3-and-6 Southern Miss at 4 p.m. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 54-23 loss to James Madison last Thursday, so Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says they will have extra time to prepare for a big rivalry game.

Cut 16 (17) “…accomplish this year.”

11.13.26
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6:30 LRN Newscast November 13

With Louisiana’s gubernatorial election now less than 11 months away, candidates will soon start throwing their names into the ring. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Court records show University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot owes 350-thousand dollars in federal income taxes. Gallot is putting the blame on a former accountant that never filed federal income tax return for tax year 2019. Gallot also disputes what the IRS says he owes. Gallot has been president of the UL System since 2024. The system oversees eight schools.

 

Louisiana is receiving three million dollars from the USDA that will be used to hire technicians and deploy traps to trick the pigs into being captured. That’s according to Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, who says the funds will be used in 27 parishes in the Red River and Mississippi River Basins…

Cut 15 (07) “…swine”

Strain says there are 700 to 900-thousand feral pigs, many of them are causing damage to crop fields, costing farmers around 100-million dollars every year.

The US Drought monitor this week shows that nearly one-fifth of the state is suffering from exceptional drought conditions. North-central Louisiana, west of Alexandria and a portion of southwest Louisiana are all considered in exceptional drought. LSU Climatologist Jay Grymes says there is a chance we’ll see rain on Sunday and Monday…

Cut 11 (09) “…right back up”

Heading out to a high school game tonight? It will get chilly, low temperatures for a majority of the state will be in the 30s on Saturday.

11.12.26
by

LRN PM Newscall

The Louisiana legislature is mourning the passing of one of its own. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Legendary Louisiana high school football coach Dale Weiner passed away at the age of 74 yesterday. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

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A Lincoln Parish third grade teacher got quite the surprise this morning – learning that she’s 25-thousand dollars richer.

Cut 3 (11/after 8 fade under) “…Allison Smith!” (cheers) 

Allison Smith teaches English language arts and social studies at A.E. Phillips Laboratory School in Ruston. Because there’s no application process, Smith was taken completely by surprise by the announcement that she had won a Milken Educator Award in front of the entire student body.

Cut 4 (10) “…when this happened.”

Smith earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Tech in 2019 and her master’s degree from ULM in 2023. She says she was inspired to become a teacher by the teachers she had when she was a kid.

Cut 5 (09) “…I truly was.”

Smith is one of 30 Milken Educator Award recipients nationwide this year, and she’s Louisiana’s 55th recipient since the state joined the program in 2001. She can use the 25-thousand dollars for whatever she wants.

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Hearts are heavy in the State Capitol amid news that Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham has passed away at the age of 52. Bayham was in the midst of his first term as a state legislator when he passed away this morning. Political consultant Jason Redmond was a longtime friend of Bayham’s, dating back to their time at LSU.

Cut 6 (10) “…josting a bit.”

Despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Bayham and Redmond eventually became roommates; and when Bayham became president of the student senate, Bayham hired him to be his administrative assistant in the senate office.

Monroe Representative Michael Echols says Bayham was a hard worker right up until the very end, working to pass his constitutional amendment limiting governors to two lifetime terms – an effort that was ultimately successful.

Cut 7 (09) “…all miss him.”

Echols says Bayham was a walking encyclopedia when it came to world events, and that played a role in one of his proudest moments as a Louisiana legislator.

Cut 8 (10) “…a Louisiana resolution.”

Redmond says Bayham’s passing was not exactly unexpected; he had apparently been battling health issues for quite some time.

Cut 9 (10)  “…day was coming.” 

House members will be meeting late this evening to honor Bayham and to exchange stories about a man who honorably served his constituents and the State of Louisiana.

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Former Baton Rouge Catholic High School football coach Dale Weiner passed away at the age of 74 last night after a battle with Parkinson’s. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer won 317 games and a 2015 state title over 30 years with the Bears. Longtime high school sports writer for The Advocate in Baton Rouge, Robin Fambrough, says when Weiner arrived at Catholic High, they were the school other teams scheduled for homecoming.

Cut 10 (12) “…but also statewide.” 

Weiner was named LSWA coach of the year three times and led the Bears to 18 district titles. He spent 42 years in coaching, and his 317 wins rank seventh in state history all-time. Fambrough says titles and wins are one side of coaching, but Weiner molded his players’ lives for the better.

Cut 11 (11) “…with respect.”

Weiner’s 2015 Division I state championship over Archbishop Rummel came on a last-second field goal to win Catholic’s first state title. Weiner retried a year later. His son, Neil Weiner, now coaches at Dunham and won his first state championship last year. Fambrough says the father and son were able to share a special moment before taking the field in the Superdome.

Cut 12 (08) “…Weiner family has.”

11.12.26
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3:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana legislature is mourning the passing of one of its own. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana has posted the largest gain of any state in the Tax Foundation’s 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index. The state has moved up nine spots to 23rd overall. No other state gained as many places. The Louisiana Department of Revenue says the improvement reflects the tax reform package approved in 2024 that went into effect in 2025.

 

A third-grade teacher at A-E Phillips Laboratory School in Ruston is 25-thousand dollars richer today as she was surprised to learn that she’s a Milken Educator Award winner. Allison Smith found out about the award during a school assembly…

Cut 4 (10) :,,,happen”

Smith teaches English language arts and social studies.

Former Baton Rouge Catholic High School football coach Dale Weiner passed away at the age of 74 last night after a battle with Parkinson’s. Longtime high school sports writer for The Advocate in Baton Rouge, Robin Fambrough, says when Weiner arrived at Catholic, it was the school other teams scheduled for homecoming.

Cut 10 (14) “…but also statewide.”

Weiner won 317 games including a state title in 2015, winning on a game winning field goal kick over Rummel.

11.12.26
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1:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana legislature is mourning the passing of one of its own.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

The LSU basketball community came together last night to celebrate the life of legendary coach Dale Brown, who passed away last month at 90. Former LSU basketball star Ricky Blanton remembers Brown’s recruiting visit…

Cut 14 (14) “…Dale Brown

One of Louisiana’s winningest high school football coaches has passed away. Dale Weiner, who won 317 games, most of them at Catholic High in Baton Rouge, has passed away at the age of 74 after battling health issues for several years. Longtime high school sports reporter Robin Fambrough covered Weiner’s teams at Catholic for the Advocate and says Dale was not only a great coach, but a great mentor for teenagers…

Cut 11 (10) “…respect”

Dale Weiner coached 17 players who went on to play in the NFL including Warrick Dunn and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

A third-grade teacher at A-E Phillips Laboratory School in Ruston is 25-thousand dollars richer today as she was surprised to learn that she’s a Milken Educator Award winner. Allison Smith found out about the award during a school assembly…

Cut 4 (10) :,,,happen”

Smith teaches English language arts and social studies.