Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

02.11.26
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10:30 LRN Newscast

State Treasurer John Fleming from Minden is the first Republican to qualify for the U-S Senate Republican Primary. Fleming is challenging Incumbent Bill Cassidy. Cassidy is seeking a third-term and Congresswoman Julia Letlow is expected to qualify for the Senate Republican Primary later in the week. Will we see a well-known Democrat face the Republican Primary winner, La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says probably not…

Cut 5 (08) “….futre race”

For the fourth semester in a row, McNeese has seen an increase in enrollment, up five percent from last spring  to just more than 65-hundred students. Interim President Kedrick Nicholas says in 2024, McNeese developed a five-year strategic plan with the focus on increasing enrollment…

Cut 11 (09) “…we can maintain.”

 

Attorney General Liz Murrill has announced a new task force for the Greater New Orleans area that will investigate internet crimes against children. The A-G says the problem is only getting worse. She says in January, the statewide ICAC Task Force received more than nine -thousand cybertips. Murrill says sextortion and extortion are becoming more prevalent.

Cut 8 (10) “…them for money.”

A life-style statue of the late Governor Kathleen Blanco is now on display at the Bayou Teche Museum in her hometown of New Iberia. Blanco also served as a Public Service Commissioner and Lt. Governor. Current Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he will never forget Blanco’s leadership during Hurricane Katrina…

Cut 14 (12) “….to this day”

02.11.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Qualifying is underway for the closed party primary elections for U-S Senate and U-S House. The Senate Republican Primary will receive the most attention as Incumbent Bill Cassidy is seeking a third-term, but faces a formidable opponent in Julia Letlow…

Cut 18 (14) “….elected life”

That’s La Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford. Republican State Treasurer John Fleming is also running, but it doesn’t look like a well-known Democrat will qualify.

McNeese State’s spring enrollment is up five-percent over last Spring and it’s the highest spring enrollment increase in 16 years.  Interim McNeese president Kedrick Nicholas says since the fall of 2024 they have prioritized enrollment and student support…

Cut 12 (14) “…competitor institutions”

 

A task force has formed that will investigate internet crimes against children in the Greater New Orleans Metro area. Chris Masters with the Attorney General’s office says the task force is equipped with the latest technology to address the rising numbers of tips related to child exploitation in the area. Masters urges parents to watch what their children are doing on the internet.

Cut 9 (14)  “…them on there.”

There is now a bronze statue of former Governor Kathleen Blanco in her hometown of New Iberia. It’s located at the Bayou Teche Museum. Blanco served one term during a chaotic time for the state as it was recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser was elected parish president in Plaquemines Parish the year following Katrina…

Cut 15 (12) “…every other parish.”

Blanco passed away in 2019 at the age of 76.

02.11.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU men’s basketball was once again on the wrong end of a blowout loss at home as they were never in the game against 21st ranked Arkansas last night. The Razorbacks trounced the Tigers 91-62. Darius Acuff (A-cuff) had another huge game against LSU, scoring 28 points. LSU is now 2-9 in SEC play.

Free agency begins next month in the NFL and the Saints have four players set to become free agents. Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, Tayson Hill and 27-year-old slot corner Alontae Taylor. Ross Jackson is the host of the Saints Locked on Podcast and says there’s a chance New Orleans moves on from Taylor …

Cut 18 (17_) “…inside”

 

The LSU baseball team begins defense of its national title on Friday when the Tigers host Milwaukee. LSU is scheduled to play five games in six days to start the season. Coach Jay Johnson told Tiger Rag Radio he has a lot of options when it comes to starting pitchers…

Cut 21 (25) “…above 60”

La Tech begins its season by hosting Houston Christian for a four game series starting on Friday. Coach Lane Burroughs on his scheduled starting pitchers…

Cut 20 (08) “…game four”

Tech went 32-25 last year.

02.10.26
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LRN PM Newscall February 10

A months-long investigation into drug activity tied to Mexican cartels has resulted in 742 arrests statewide. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Louisiana’s film industry is seeing an uptick in activity. Andre Champagne reports that after a couple of slow years, movie production is picking back up…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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Authorities have announced the arrest of 742 suspected gang members and drug dealers across Louisiana as part of an effort to crackdown on drugs that enter Louisiana that are tied to Mexican cartels. State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges says this announcement should serve as a strong message to those involved in gang activity or violent crime…

Cut 3 (06) “…you to justice” 

Nearly five-hundred of the arrests occurred in the Alexandria and Shreveport areas, 369 were in the Alexandria area. Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood says illegal drugs are constantly moving through central Louisiana because of I-49…

Cut 4 (14) “…like a hub.”

The U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, it will be his office that prosecutes many of these cases. He highlighted one of the cases out of Shreveport…

Cut 5 (14) “…mandatory minimum.”

The crackdown began in October and led to the recovery of 176 firearms statewide, more than 15 kilograms of fentanyl, more than two-thousand fentanyl pills, 44 kilograms of meth and 20 kilograms of cocaine.

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Governor Landry has sent President Trump a letter, formally requesting a major disaster declaration for nine parishes in northeast Louisiana following the winter storm, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is urging him to approve it. Landry notes that the state has already incurred more than 11-million dollars in costs related to the storm, meeting the threshold for a disaster declaration. Senator Bill Cassidy says with such a declaration, FEMA can help those affected with some much-needed financial assistance.

Cut 6 (06) “…emergency hotel stays.”

Cassidy notes that with people busy putting their lives back together, the last thing on their minds is filing their tax returns.

Cut 7 (10) “…in on time.”

Cassidy says that tax relief would not only apply to individuals, but also to small business owners.

Cut 8 (09) “…filing their taxes.”

The nine parishes Landry’s request covers are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.

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It’s been a strong start to the year for Hollywood South, as there are six film productions either shooting or in preparation in the state. Jason Waggenspack, the president of Film Louisiana and the CEO of The Ranch Film Studios, says two of the film productions are feature films.

Cut 9 (15)  “…Netflix.”

The Netflix produced movie is called “A Christmas Kind of Love,” and it’s utilizing Second Line Stages in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans.

The Netflix produced movie is called “A Christmas Kind of Love” and it’s utilizing Second Line Stages in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. Waggenspack expects Hollywood South activity will remain strong through the year…

Cut 10 (10) “…U-S.”

Waggenspack says movie production in Louisiana and the United States was slower than normal the last two seasons. He says the writers and actors strikes in 2023 resulted in more movie production in Canada and Europe, but but film production is now coming back to the U-S…

Cut 11 (10) “…in the United States ”

02.10.26
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12:30 LRN Newscast

California and New York have ignored Louisiana’s extradition requests on doctors indicted for mailing abortion pills to people in Louisiana.  The dispensing of abortion pills is illegal in Louisiana when prescribed outside of a hospital setting, but shield laws in those states protect reproductive rights. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill argues these cases don’t fit that requirement as both women in question were forced to take the bills by someone else.

Cut 12 (11) “…what they’re doing.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is bringing a bill that would allow constitutional carry to college campuses in the upcoming legislative session.  Though similar bills have failed in the past, McCormick says he was encouraged by a group of college students to make a run at it again.

Cut 8 (09) “…bill this year.”

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Santa Clara is done, and Inglewood is now on the clock. Andrew Greenstein reports New Orleans is continuing its push to land the 2031 Super Bowl.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU Alexandria sets another enrollment record, with spring enrollment up 12-percent year-over-year, marking the 12th straight semester of record growth. Abbey Bain with LSU-A says one of the biggest reasons for the continued growth is smaller class sizes.

Cut 4 (08) “…and support them.”

02.10.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to upset 21st ranked Arkansas tonight. Two regular contributors are listed as doubtful for tonight for the Hogs, they are DJ Wagner and Karter Knox. Both players average around eight points a game.

In college hoops…McNeese won its 20th game as the Cowboys defeated HCU 73 to 69. Northwestern State won a tight game on the road, beating Lamar 70 to 68. Willie Williams offensive rebound and put back off a missed a free throw with four seconds left was the winning bucket.

Nicholls ran into a hot UTRGV team last night and lost to the Colonels 92 to 72 and Southeastern Louisiana defended its home court with a 74 to 62 win over UIW.

It’s officially game week for the LSU baseball team. The Tigers will open their season against Milwaukee on Friday at 2 p.m. Fifth-year senior infielder Seth Dardar is one of the new transfers LSU added in the offseason. Dardar, who’s a Mandeville native, says he was only in the portal for an hour before committing to the Tigers.

Cut 16 (13) “…to come home.” 

Ford Pemberton enters his first season as the ULM head baseball coach. The Warhawks finished last in the Sun Belt last season and are predicted to finish last this season, but Pemberton says he believes the future is bright in Monroe.

Cut 19 (11) “…trust our clubhouse.”

Bethune Cookman has been picked to win the SWAC this season. Grambling is projected to finish in fourth place and Southern is expected to finish in seventh.

02.10.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU women’s basketball team dropped one spot to number six in the latest AP Top 25 poll. The Lady Tigers will host third ranked South Carolina on Saturday night.

The LSU men’s basketball team hosts 21st ranked Arkansas tonight. Tigers point guard DJ Thomas will miss another game with a foot injury.

Last night in college hoops…it was not easy but McNeese earned its 20th win of the season with a 73-69 victory over HCU. Nicholls lost by 20 to UT Rio Grande Valley. Nice road win for Northwestern state, who edged Lamar 70 to 68. Willie Williams had the go-ahead lay-up with four seconds left.

NBA…The Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 120 to 94.

After coaching LSU’s defensive line for just one year, Kyle Williams is returning to his alma mater. Williams, who previously served as Ruston High’s defensive coordinator, is rejoining the Bearcats staff as assistant Head Coach and also assistant athletics director.

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The college baseball season gets underway on Friday. LSU sophomore catcher Cade Arrambide (AIR-um-bee-dee) made 19 starts last year, but he’s expected to get a majority of the starts behind the plate this season. Arrambide says his main focus in the offseason was improving his plate discipline…

Cut 17 (17) “….hard on that”

Expectations are low at ULM. For the Warhawks to surprise people, several players will need to have a big season. First year head coach Ford Pemberton says freshman infielder Sutton Lewis from Monroe is one of the players who has stood out leading up to the regular season.

Cut 20 (11) “…have that problem.”

02.09.26
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5:30 LRN Newscast

At a press conference in Leesville, federal officials announced a Lafayette grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against 11 individuals involved in an alleged multi-parish drug trafficking organization. FBI agent Jonathan Tapp says one of the search warrants they executed resulted in law enforcement recovering a large amount of cocaine and fentanyl…

Cut 11 (13) “…gold bars.”

As required by a new law, cameras are being installed inside every public and charter school special education classroom. Bill author, Representative Shane Mack, says it’s to help everyone when incidents occur but the cameras are only part of what the law does to help parents and school faculty and staff.

Cut 12 (07) “…handle the situation.”

 

Tough night for New Iberia native Kayshon Boutte and the rest of the Patriots offense in Super Bowl 60 as they struggled mightily against Seattle’s defense and lost 29 to 13 to the Seahawks. Here’s what Boutte had to say….

Cut 5 (07) “….it do hurt”

During the Super Bowl last night, many fans had one eye on the game and one eye on their phones doing Google searches. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

02.09.26
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LRN PM Newscall

During the Super Bowl last night, many fans had one eye on the game and one eye on their phones doing Google searches. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A multi-parish drug trafficking investigation in central Louisiana leads to a 12-count indictment against 11 individuals that were allegedly involved in buying and selling large amounts of meth and cocaine. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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While the Seattle Seahawks are celebrating a Super Bowl title today, the New England Patriots are taking pride in what they accomplished this season. They reached the big game one season after going 4-and-13, setting a new record for a Super Bowl team with the worst record in the season prior. Defensive tackle Milton Williams of La Tech, who won the Super Bowl last season with the Eagles, says the team came a long way in just one year.

Cut 3 (13) “…the coaches, everybody.”

One of those players Williams was alluding to was third year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte of LSU. While the New Iberia native’s numbers this year were similar to those of last year, he caught six touchdown passes this season, compared to three last season. Boutte says the Super Bowl loss stings.

Cut 4 (09) “…it do hurt.”

Boutte says he and the rest of the offense had no answers for the Seahawks’ stifling defense.

Cut 5 (07) “…up short today.”

While Boutte and fellow LSU Tiger Will Campbell are wondering what could have been, it’s a different story for their former Tigers teammate Anthony Bradford, as the Seahawks guard is celebrating a Super Bowl title.

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Thanks to modern technology, many fans had one eye on their TVs and one eye on their phones doing Google searches during the Super Bowl. Google Search and Trends Expert Jennifer Jones says while many fans during the game were searching for quarterbacks Drake Maye and Sam Darnold, as well as MVP Kenneth Walker the Third, there was someone else who was also dominating the searches.

Cut 6 (10) “…five field goals.”

Besides the game itself, one of the biggest conversation pieces is always the commercials, and this year is no different. Jones says a few stood out in Google searches during the game.

Cut 7 (08) “…top searched one.”

Of course, this year, the biggest show besides the game was the Bad Bunny show at halftime. Jones says while there were many memorable moments during Bad Bunny’s 13-minute performance, one stood out in particular among those on Google.

Cut 8 (11) “…the halftime show.”

Jones explains the couple, who has not been publicly identified as of yet, had invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding, and Bad Bunny countered by inviting them to exchange their vows during his halftime show. The end result was the viral moment that has everyone talking.

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At a press conference in Leesville, federal officials announced a Lafayette grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against 11 individuals involved in an alleged multi-parish drug trafficking organization. Assistant US Attorney LaDonte Murphy says the suspects are accused of possessing or conspiring to possess large amounts of meth and cocaine with an intent to distribute…

Cut 9 (13)  “…into our markets.”

Authorities say the eleven people indicted have been arrested and taken into custody. Most of the suspects are from Vernon Parish, two of the alleged traffickers are from Sabine Parish. Murphy says the drugs originated in Mexico and were trafficked across the border…

Cut 10 (14) “…central Louisiana.”

FBI agent Jonathan Tapp says one of the search warrants they executed resulted in law enforcement recovering a large amount of cocaine and fentanyl…

Cut 11 (13) “…gold bars.”

02.09.26
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2:30 LRN Newscast

At a press conference in Leesville, federal officials announced a Lafayette grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against 11 individuals involved in an alleged multi-parish drug trafficking organization. Assistant US Attorney LaDonte Murphy says the suspects are accused of possessing or conspiring to possess large amounts of meth and cocaine with an intent to distribute…

Cut 9 (13)  “…into our markets.”

Most of the suspects have connections to Vernon Parish.

Every parish in Louisiana will be showcased in a new travel series that debuts tonight at 8 PM on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the L-A 64 series will take viewers off the beaten path…

Cut 27 (11) “…in each parish.”

Tonight’s first episode is on Vermilion Parish.

 

During the Super Bowl last night, many fans had one eye on the game and one eye on their phones doing Google searches. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Baton Rouge State Representative Dixon McMakin says he will no longer seek election as the next U-S Representative for the 5th Congressional district. Meanwhile, Livingston Parish Republican Larry Davis says he’s switching his campaign from the 5th Congressional District to the 6th Congressional district and will challenge Democrat Cleo Fields.