Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.22.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU baseball begins another series tonight against a team ranked in the Top 15. The Tigers are at 12th ranked Ole Miss. The Rebels are 27-10 overall, nine-six in the SEC West. Ole Miss is second in the SEC in hitting with a team batting average of .301, while the Tigers are 10th in the league in hitting. Coach Paul Mainieri says there are some positions that have not hit consistently…
Cut 19 (17) “…positions”
LSU is facing a potential first-round pick in this year’s Major League Baseball draft tonight. Junior right-hander Gunnar Hoglund is 3-and-2 with a 2.73 ERA for the Rebels. He also ranks second in the SEC in strikeouts with 87. First pitch on ESPN-U is at 7 PM.

U-L Lafayette coach Billy Napier is looking for a very competitive game tonight as the Cajuns conclude spring football with the Vermilion and White spring game at Cajun Field. At running back the Cajuns need to replace NFL draft prospects Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas, so expect to see Emani Baily, Chris Smith and Texas A-and-M transfer Jacob Kibodi to get carries. The scrimmage will start at 7 PM.

The NFL draft begins a week from today and the Saints own the 28th pick in the first round. While the organization has been hard at work scouting potential draftees, coach Sean Payton says there’s still work to be done.
Cut 16 (12) “…this point.”
Payton also doesn’t believe they have to draft a quarterback, because Drew Brees retired. And Brees says because of injuries he only felt good in one game last season and that was the October 4th contest versus Detroit.

04.22.21
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LRN PM Newscall April 22

A north Louisiana police officer allegedly offers a woman sexual favors in exchange for a positive police report to show her insurance company. Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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 LSU’s list of eight finalists for the job of system President leaves some unimpressed. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Winnsboro Police Lieutenant Terrance Pleasant is accused of soliciting sexual favors and money to a woman who was involved in a two-vehicle crash. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says the woman who received the offer told the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office

Cut 3 (10)  “…her insurance” 

Reichardt says they investigated the case for several weeks and then last night 47-year-old Pleasant was booked into the Franklin Parish Jail…

Cut 4 (08) “…of office” 

Reichardt says a grand jury has indicted Pleasant on one count of public bribery and one count of abuse of office. He says police officers are not above the law…

Cut 5  (07)  “…we have”

Winnsboro Police Chief Will Pierce told the Franklin Sun Pleasant has resigned after a 15-year career with the department.

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Bossier City Police arrested a 30-year-old man for first-degree murder in connection with the shooting and vehicle crash that claimed the life of 29-year old Hannah Sheffield earlier this month.  Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Ponder says Demetrius McCoy was already in jail on other charges when investigators served him a warrant.

Cut 6 (10) “..shooting”

Sheffield was shot while driving and then crashed the vehicle into a home on April 10th. She was transported to a local hospital and later died. Ponder says McCoy is charged with first-degree murder because Sheffield was not McCoy’s intended target.

Cut 7 (07) “…the year.”

Ponder says officers work diligently to make an arrest in the case and they hope it will bring about a sense of resolution for all involved.

Cut 8 (08) “…community..”

Bond is set at $1.2 million for the murder charge.

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The father of one of the missing SeaCor lift boat crewmembers says the vessel has been fully swept and the six remaining missing crew members were not found.

Scott Daspit, father of the missing Dylan Daspit, gave an impassioned plea for help as Good Samaritans continue search efforts after the Coast Guard ceased searching Monday.

Cut 9 (10) “..at sea.”

Daspit says local mariners have determined currents have shifted outside of the original Coast Guard search zone, and they’re flying planes over the new area.

Cut 10 (10) “…a miracle.” 

Ronnie Adams of Swamp People fame is helping the search efforts. He asked for donations to the United Cajun Navy to help pay for fuel to operate civilian planes and vessels in the new search zone.

Cut 11 (11) “…kids”

Adams and Daspit made the comments on a Facebook Live stream.

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LSU’s list of eight finalists for the job of system President is not packed with nationally recognized stars of higher education according to some. Advocate Capitol Bureau Editor Mark Ballard says this isn’t what you would call an A-list.

Cut 12 (10)   “…candidates” 

There are reports that there is a “legitimate effort” to hire former LSU Chancellor and current NCAA CEO Mark Emmert for the job, despite his name not being on the finalist list.

LSU Professor and famed political consultant James Carville says given the school’s ongoing sexual misconduct scandal there’s only one woman on the list.

Cut 13 (07)“….list”

The one woman on the list is University of Maryland professor and former Provost Mary Ann Rankin.

Carville says the decision of who will be named President is the most consequential in the modern history of the school, and a big name would go a long way.

Cut 14 (10) “..great” 

The two most prominent local candidates to make the final eight are Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and UL System President Jim Henderson. Carville and Ballard made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

04.22.21
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11:30 LRN newscast April 22

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and U-L System President Doctor Jim Henderson are among the finalists to be LSU’s next president. Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the search on his monthly call-in show…
cut 1 (27) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor Edwards will provide an update today at 2:30 PM on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state health department will soon provide new numbers on how many people are vaccinated. As of Monday, the number was nearly one-point-one million Louisiana residents who completed the vaccine series.

Bossier City Police arrested a 30-year-old man for first-degree murder in connection with the shooting and vehicle crash that claimed the life of 29-year old Hannah Sheffield earlier this month. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Ponder says Demetrius McCoy was already in jail on other charges when investigators served him a warrant.
Cut 6 (10) “..shooting”
Sheffield was the only one in the vehicle when she was shot on April 10th and later died.

The Senate Labor Committee voted three to two for a bill to set the state’s minimum wage at $15 an hour beginning in 2022. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says we owe this to frontline workers, many of them make close to the minimum wage which is $7.25 an hour.
Cut 7 (10) “…couldn’t.”
It’s unclear if the legislation has enough support to pass the Louisiana Senate.

04.22.21
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9:30 LRN Newscast April 22

The list of candidates to become the next president at LSU is narrowed down to eight. There are two familiar names among the final eight, University of Louisiana System President Doctor Jim Henderson and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne. Governor Edwards says it’s imperative the right candidate is chosen.
Cut 4 (09)“…is having.”
LSU Presidential Search Committee will begin interviewing the finalists on Monday.

The Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal that would double what minimum wage workers currently earn in Louisiana. The measure would set the state’s minimum wage at 15-dollars an hour starting next year. The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, Susan East Nelson, supports the legislation because she says one in four children in the state face food insecurity…
cut 9 (09) “…livable wage’
Previous minimum wage proposals have failed to gain traction in the Louisiana Legislature.

Research by the US Drug Test Centers gives legislators food for thought as they consider whether to allow voters to decide if recreational marijuana use should be legal in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Winnsboro Police Lieutenant Terrance Pleasant has been accused of offering sexual favors and money in exchange for a favorable police report to a female driver who was involved in a two-vehicle crash. A grand jury has indicted Pleasant on one count of bribery and one count of abuse of office.

04.22.21
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8:30 LRN Newscast April 22

A bill raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour next year advances out of Senate Labor. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The USA Today Network reports that tomorrow Governor John Bel Edwards will announce a one-billion-dollar biodiesel plant will be built at the Port of Columbia on the Ouachita River in Caldwell Parish. State Representative Neil Riser says Edwards helped make the project happen by using millions in federal dollars to secure the deal.

The legislation that would centralize the state’s sales tax collection system receives overwhelming support in the Louisiana House as the proposal passes on a 96-4 vote. The measure would create an eight-member board to oversee tax collections, instead of having the duties split between state and local government. There are concerns the legislation will result in lost revenue for local governments. Hornbeck Representative Rodney Shamerhorn says the legislation is also too vauge…
cut 15 (10) “…we go”
The Senate is also expected to approve the bill.

There’s also legislation waiting to be heard that would legalize recreational marijuana use. But would that increase pot usage among younger people. Jonathan Baktari, CEO of US Drug Test Centers, says based on the 16 states that have legalized weed, there’s no strong correlation…
cut 11 (08) “….below”
The US Drug Test Centers say they’ve seen a 30-percent increase in marijuana usage among Louisiana adults since 2015.

04.22.21
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7:30 LRN Newscast April 22

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and U-L System President Doctor Jim Henderson are among the finalists to be LSU’s next president. Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the search on his monthly call-in show…
cut 1 (27) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor Edwards will provide an update today at 2:30 PM on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state health department will provide new numbers later today on how many people are vaccinated. As of Monday, the number was nearly one-point-one million Louisiana residents who completed the vaccinate series.

The Senate Labor Committee has approved a measure on a three to two vote that would raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to 15-dollars an hour. It faces opposition from business groups. Jim Patterson with LABI says studies show that raising the minimum wage is actually not good for low-wage earners…
cut 8 (11) “….employment”
The bill is not expected to make it through the legislative process.

But a bill that would create a single tax collector in the state, instead of having the duties split between state and local governments, has received full House approval. New Iberia Representative Gerald Beaullieu says the current system is complex and burdensome for businesses…
cut 14 (11) “…those rankings”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

04.22.21
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6:45 LRN Sportscast April 22

We are one week away from the N-F-L draft. New Orleans lost several starters because they had to get under the salary cap. Saints Head Coach Sean Payton hopes they can find their replacements in the draft….
cut 18 (15) “…salary cap era”
Payton also doesn’t believe they have to draft a quarterback, because Drew Brees retired.

And Brees spoke to reporters at the Zurich Classic’s Pro-Am event and admitted he only felt good for one game last season and that was the October fourth contest against the Detroit Lions.

The 2021 NFL schedule will be released May 12th. It will be a 17 game schedule this year. And the NFL will allow running backs, tight ends, receivers, and linebackers to wear single-digit uniforms. Also, the league says no more overtime in preseason games.

The Ragin Cajuns spring football game is tonight at 7 PM. The biggest battle during the spring is at running back, where U-L Lafayette has to replace draft prospects Elijah McGuire and Trey Ragas. Coach Billy Napier says TJ Wisham, Chris Smith, and former Texas A-and-M back Jacob Kibodi are the guys who are expected to get the most carries tonight.

The U-L Lafayette baseball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a four to three win over McNeese last night. Josh Cofield hit his first home run and drove in two runs. McNeese scored all of its runs in the third inning as Jake Dickerson drove in two runs.

Tonight, the LSU baseball team begins a three-game series at Ole Miss. The Tigers will send Landon Marceaux to the mound. He’s 4-and-3 with 1.65 ERA. The Rebels counter with potential first-round draft pick Gunnar Hoglund, who is 3-and-2 with a 2.73 ERA. Hoglund is second in the SEC in strikeouts with 87. The first pitch is at 7 PM on ESPN-U.

04.22.21
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6:30 LRN Newscast

The Senate Labor Committee voted three to two for a bill to set the state’s minimum wage at $15 an hour beginning in 2022. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says we owe this to frontline workers, many of them make close to the minimum wage which is currently $7.25 an hour.
Cut 7 (10) “…couldn’t.”
It’s unclear if the legislation has enough support to pass the Louisiana Senate.

A study by US Drug Test Centers shows 8 percent of Louisianans admit to using marijuana within the last month, a 30 percent increase since 2015. CEO Dr. Jonathan Baktari says that gives the state the 29th highest rate of use among adults. He says judging by results in other states that number would rise should Louisiana legalize weed…
cut 10 (09) “…access.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow the people to vote on an amendment centralizing Louisiana’s sales and local tax collection system. The legislation has strong support from the state’s business community and was brought by Speaker Clay Schexnayder.
Cut 13 (13) “…constituents.”
The proposal heading to the Senate creates an eight-member board to oversee tax collections.

The LSU Presidential Search Committee has selected eight candidates to interview next week as the search heats up for a new president of the LSU System. Governor John Bel Edwards discussed the search on his monthly talk show…
cut 6 (08) “…do that”
Edwards’ Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne and U-L System President Jim Henderson are among the finalists.

04.21.21
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4:45 LRN Sportscast April 21

LSU baseball is having trouble in SEC play, but they have no problem beating in-state opponents. The Tigers remained undefeated against Louisiana schools this season by blanking ULM last night five to nothing. Eight pitchers combined on the shutout and Alex Milazzo drove in two runs.

This weekend, La Tech will host Marshall for a four-game series that will start on Friday. The Thundering Herd are 6-and-22 on the season, but Bulldogs coach Lane Burroughs says they can’t take Marshall lightly
Cut 20 (19) “ability to adapt”
Tonight McNeese travels to Lafayette to take on the Ragin Cajuns at 6 p.m. The Cowboys are .500 on the season, while U-L Lafayette has lost four in a row.

Southern needs a new football coach as Dawson Odums has resigned as the leader of the Jaguars program was introduced today as the new head coach at Norfolk State. Odums led Southern to a 53-17 record in the SWAC in nine seasons.

ULM has completed spring football as their spring game this past Saturday saw a lot of big plays. Coach Terry Bowden plans to beef up the roster during the offseason and adding depth at running back is a priority…
cut 18 (19) “….in the season”

The Fighting Tigers have added a shot-blocker to their basketball roster as 6’8 forward Tari Eason from Cincinnati says he’s transferring to LSU. Eason averaged seven points and six rebounds a game as a freshman for the Bearkats. He was also fourth in the American Athletic Conference in blocks per game.

04.21.21
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LRN PM Newscall April 21

A Senate Committee approves legislation mandating higher education staff properly report known cases of sexual misconduct, or be terminated. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Louisiana elected officials react to a jury convicting former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (28) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Legislation inspired by the LSU sexual misconduct scandal mandating higher ed employees properly report known incidents of “power-based violence” is headed to the Senate floor.

The sweeping bill also covers everything from mandatory awareness training to establishing what must be documented related to those cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow…

Cut 3 (08)  “…existed” 

Power-based violence is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.

Higher ed officials came out in support of the legislation. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed…

Cut 4 (13) “…enviroment.” 

Among the many items included in the bill is a mandate that all suspected cases of power-based violence must be reported specifically to the school’s Title Nine Office, along with the establishment of “confidential advisors” who receive specialized training in the handling of those reports.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says this legislation is vital for restoring student trust.

Cut 5  (09)  “…safe”

Under the bill the chancellor of a Louisiana higher education institution must, each fall and spring semester, submit a detailed report on incidents of power-based violence to the Board of Supervisors, and post that report online. The report shall not identify any individuals involved.

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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s thankful the criminal justice system dispensed justice against ex-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says justice was done

Cut 6 (11) “..never taught”

Cell phone video showed Chauvin’s knee pressing on Floyd’s neck for nine and half minutes during an arrest. During that time Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Cassidy says he spoke to local law enforcement who tell him what Chauvin did is not taught in police training

Cut 7 (05) “..take over”

Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus Ted James said on Talk Louisiana on WRKF he was expecting an acquittal….

Cut 8 (10) “..held accountable”

Many are saying justice was served, but James tells “Talk Louisiana” host Jim Engster he can’t go that far…

Cut 9 (08) “..it was justice.”

Chauvin will be sentenced in two months and the most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.

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The Senate Education votes 5-1 in favor of a bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill would require all children to start school at the age of five. Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Legal Director Sarah Vandergriff backs the legislation…

Cut 10 (06) “….is supported.” 

Homeschool Louisiana Government Affairs Jesse Leger spoke in opposition. She says five-year-olds should be outside playing, not limited to a classroom setting and this places another burden on families who homeschool.

Cut 11 (09) “…happy about”

Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson supports the bill because research shows early education has a direct impact on learning and social skills.

Cut 12 (11)   “…children thrive” 

The bill advances to the Senate Floor but could be sent to the Senate Finance to address fiscal needs to provide kindergarten at all public schools.

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The House Ways and Means Committee advances a proposal that would eliminate the state’s income tax on residents and a tax on businesses known as the corporate franchise tax. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says to make up for an estimated four billion dollars in lost revenue, local governments can raise property and sales taxes

Cut 13 (08)“….income tax rate”

A good portion of tax revenue the state collects is re-directed to local governments.

Nelson’s tax plan would also lower the homestead exemption from 75-to 25-thousand dollars and eliminate a major property tax break that large manufacturers can receive called I-TEP. The freshman lawmaker believes the public can get behind this proposal because it eliminates state income taxes

Cut 14 (05) “..will sell” 

It’s unclear if Nelson’s tax reform plan has enough support to get the two-thirds vote needed to pass, but Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says it’s a proposal that should be looked at some more…

Cut 15 (10) “…consideration”