Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.24.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans season-high five-game winning streak ended in Cleveland last night. The Cavaliers drained 20 3-pointers to beat New Orleans 141 to 199 at Rocket Arena. Pelicans interim coach James Borrego says they didn’t do much defensively…

Cut 26 (12) “…grow from this”

The 8-and-23 Pelicans are back in action on Friday when they play the first of back-to-back home games against the Phoenix Suns.

 

Three NFL games tomorrow. At 3:30 the Vikings host Detroit. Former LSU Star Justin Jefferson needs just 83 yards to eclipse one-thousand yards receiving. It will be the sixth time he’s done that in his six seasons in the NFL. Jefferson needs 27 yards to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the most receiving yards by a player in their first six seasons.

 

Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton reviewed the start of the Lane Kiffin era at LSU on Tiger Rag Radio this week. She says it was always a home run hire, but she’s still been impressed by his enthusiasm to embrace the program and the all-star coaching staff he’s put together.

Cut 16 (16) “…could be better.”

David Frankin has been named the Class One-A Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Franklin led Haynesville to its 18th state championship as the Golden Tornado beat Mangham in the Division four non-select state title game.

Haynesville’s Isaiah Washington, who has signed to play at LSU as a defensive back, was named the outstanding defensive player of the year. Ascension Catholic running back Trevin Simon is the Class One-A offensive player of the year after rushing for a state record 3,915 yards and scoring 60 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

12.24.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast

With the jackpot skyrocketing, Powerball fever is gripping Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

It will be a warm and dry Christmas Day. LRN meteorologist Bill Jacquemin says the high temperature tomorrow will come close to breaking records…

Cut 28 (08) “…to low 80s”

 

Gas prices are giving drivers a Christmas gift this year as they have not been this low in five years….

Cut 6 (13) “….and a quarter”

That’s Triple-a fuel analyst Don Redman who says despite an increase in gasoline demand over the holidays, supply is strong.

There’s a new policy that streamlines the process for data centers and other large projects to access the energy they need, and the public service commissioner who spearheaded it is clearing up some misconceptions about it. Commissioner J.P. Coussan says it’s not a rubber stamp for utility companies to charge what they want to charge in order to expedite these big projects.

Cut 15 (10) “…of this project.”

12.24.25
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12:30 LRN Newscast

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access energy is defending the policy that removes the requirement for utilities powering the projects to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says the new policy will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says…

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

At this time of year Flu activity is rampant across the country and this year is no exception, especially in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner LSU Health says the number of people testing positive for the flu is staggering.

Cut 11 (05) “…only trending upward.”

The CDC says almost 50-thousand people have been hospitalized with the flu and there have been about two-thousand deaths associated.

 

As you drive to your Christmas destination, you can do so without giving too much money to the gasoline companies. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Once again families can track Santa Claus’ trip around the globe by visiting the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa tracker website. According to the director of NORAD, Colonel Matt Tromans, Santa usually arrives in Louisiana between 9 PM and midnight but he waits until the children are asleep before delivering presents to a home.

12.24.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans’ five-game winning streak ended last night in Cleveland as the Cavaliers outscored New Orleans 141-118. The Pels were playing on the second night of a back-to-back. New Orleans allowed the Cavs to hit 20 three-pointers. Zion Williamson had 26 points in a losing effort.

LSU has lost another starting offensive lineman to the transfer portal. Coen Echols says he plans to transfer after starting seven games at left guard. Freshman Carrius Curne also intends to transfer.

The Saints are one of three teams without a Pro Bowl selection this year. New Orleans is without a representative for the second straight season despite pass catchers Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson each ranking in the top six in yards at their positions. Former Tigers Ja’Marr Chase and Derek Stingley Jr. earned their fifth and second Pro Bowl nods, respectively. Chase leads the AFC in yards and receptions, while Stingley has four interceptions.

 

The LSU Tigers practice this morning and then they head to Houston to play the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl on Saturday night.

Next year Tiger fans are really hoping LSU will be in the College Football Playoffs. One of Lane Kiffin’s claims to fame is his effective use of the transfer portal to build his roster in Oxford. Caroline Fenton of Yahoo Sports and Sirius/XM Radio says finding players in the portal and bringing in former players from Ole Miss can be a recipe for instant success.

Cut 17 (19)  “…why not?”

If there were hopes LSU would be able to get South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart, those hopes were dashed yesterday when Stewart announced he’s returning to the Gamecocks for his junior season.

12.23.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has announced 11 new additions to the coaching staff. Eight of the new hires followed Kiffin from Ole Miss to Baton Rouge, including several names we already knew, like offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Also following Kiffin to LSU is his brother, Chris Kiffin, who will be the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Joe Houston, who was previously at Florida is the special teams coordinator.

The Saints have their first three-game winning streak since 2022. Head coach Kellen Moore says it’s good to see his team getting a taste of success.

Cut 13 (06)  “…habits right now.”

The Saints have a chance at ending the season on a five-game winning streak as they finish up with road games at Tennessee and Atlanta.

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The Pelicans won their fifth in a row last night as New Orleans defeated Dallas 119 to 113. Zion Williamson had 24 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

Nearly a bad loss by the LSU men’s basketball team last night as they trailed by ten points in the second half to Prairie View A-and-M, but eventually got it going and defeated the Panthers 104 to 90. Marquel Sutton had a double-double, 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers made a school record 43 free throws, breaking a record that stood since 1979.

The Georgia Bulldogs are back in the Sugar Bowl after losing to Notre Dame in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Georgia Coach Kirby Smart doesn’t believe last year’s game will have any impact, as the Bulldogs have an entirely different team.

Cut 19 (18) “…Ole Miss previously.”

Georgia will play Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Day. The Bulldogs are a six and a half point favorite.

12.22.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane’s rematch against Ole Miss in the first round of the College Football Playoff went nearly identically to their matchup from exactly four months earlier, with the Rebels trouncing the Green Wave, 41-10. Despite the lopsided loss, head coach Jon Sumrall said the 2025 Tulane Green Wave football team will walk together forever.

Cut 18 (14)  “…phone call away.”

While Tulane ends its season 11-and-3, Ole Miss moves on to what will be an all-SEC Sugar Bowl against Georgia on New Year’s Day.

Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith was at the LSU football operations building on Sunday, which is a sign that he is likely to be the Tigers’ new running backs coach.

UL-Lafayette running backs Zylan Perry and Bill Davis are both expected to enter their names in the transfer portal. The two star backs combined to rush for 1,456 yards with 14 touchdowns on the ground for the Cajuns this season.

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan posted a stellar performance in what could have been his last game in the Superdome yesterday in the 29-6 win over the Jets. Jordan has been a star on the Black and Gold defensive front for 15 years and his 130 sacks ranks 17th in NFL history. Two of those came in back-to-back plays Sunday as the 36-year-old remains as impactful as ever. Jordan says he doesn’t know what the future holds, but even without a contract for next season, he’s all-in on New Orleans.

Cut 10 (11) “…or not”

The Saints will go for a fourth straight win this Sunday at Tennessee as they face the Titans.

After new head Southern football coach Marshall Faulk said that Kyle Caskey would be the team’s offensive coordinator, the Jaguars are now hiring Sacramento State’s Ken Merchant as the official offensive coordinator. Caskey reportedly turned down the job for a better opportunity.

The Pelicans look to win their fifth straight game tonight as they host the Dallas Mavericks in New Orleans at 7 p.m.

The LSU men’s basketball team returns to action tonight as they take on Prairie View at 6 p.m.

12.22.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints won their third straight on Sunday as they finished the home portion of their schedule with their most complete game of the season by beating the hapless New York Jets 29-6. Quarterback Tyler Shough continues to make the case as the team’s franchise quarterback as he threw for 308 yards and a touchdown. The TD pass came late in the third quarter, as Shough hit a wide open Chris Olave on a 23-yard touchdown pass….

Cut 19 (08) “….the ball”

Olave had a career-high 148 receiving yards and had two touchdowns. The second TD pass was thrown by Taysom Hill in the fourth quarter.

Hill also has 36 receiving yards, and is the only player with over one-thousand yards passing, rushing and receiving in the NFL Super Bowl era.

New Orleans will look for its fourth win in a row this Sunday at Tennessee.

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Tulane’s magical season came to an end Saturday with a 41-10 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels in the first round of the college football playoffs. The defeat also ends Jon Sumrall’s two year run as the head coach of the Green Wave. He now moves on to Gainesville to become the head coach of the Florida Gators. Sumrall had this message for his team in the locker room after the game…

Cut 17 (13) “….no it’s not”

Ole Miss’s win over Tulane means the Sugar Bowl matchup is set as the Rebels will face Georgia in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup on New Year’s Day night.

Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith was at the LSU football operations building in a sign that he will be the Tigers new running backs coach.

LSU women’s basketball had another blowout victory, beating Texas-Arlington 110-45. Grace Knox had a career-high 25 points.

12.19.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane is set to play in its first-ever College Football Playoff game on Saturday as it faces Ole Miss for the second time this season. Head coach Jon Sumrall says his team is one that’s led by the players.

Cut 12 (14) “…and their approach.”

Kickoff in Oxford is at 2:30 p.m. The winner will take on third-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Sumrall’s father, George Sumrall, passed away on Thursday evening, he announced on social media.

With the transfer portal window set to open on January 2nd, ten LSU football players are expected to enter. Among them is redshirt freshman quarterback Colin Hurley, who enrolled at LSU as a 16-year-old. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says the move isn’t surprising as head coach Lane Kiffin is expected to shop for multiple quarterbacks in the portal.

Cut 15 (08) “…going to be missed.”

The Saints look to win their third straight game Sunday when they take on the New York Jets. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough says the team’s confidence is as high as it’s ever been and says he wants to keep the city of New Orleans happy.

Cut 18 (17)  “…my whole goal.”

Running back Devin Neal has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

LSU safety A.J. Haulcy has accepted his invitation to play in the Panini Senior Bowl on January 31st. Haulcy, who was named to the All-SEC first team, recorded 88 tackles, forced one fumble and intercepted three passes this season.

After winning their third straight game on Thursday, the Pelicans face the Pacers on Saturday at 6 p.m. in New Orleans.

12.19.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Tulane makes its first appearance in the College Football Playoff Saturday, where it’ll face Ole Miss for the second time this season. In the Green Wave’s first game against Ole Miss this season, junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff only completed 5 of 17 passes for 52 yards. Head coach Jon Sumrall says Retzlaff has done a great job bouncing back and says he’s a completely different quarterback at this point in the season.

Cut 17 (14)  “…leader for us.”

Kickoff in Oxford on Saturday is at 2:30 p.m.

New Southern head football coach Marshall Faulk has hired several new coaches. Kyle Caskey is being named as the offensive coordinator. Caskey spent 12 years as an NFL assistant coach with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Faulk’s former Rams teammate, Todd Lyght is being hired as the defensive coordinator. Former LSU head coach Les Miles’ son, Ben Miles, is being hired as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Former Saints wide receiver coach Curtis Johnson, who formerly recruited Faulk to San Diego State, has been hired as the general manager.

The Saints look to win their third straight game Sunday when they take on the New York Jets. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough says the team’s confidence is as high as it’s ever been and says he wants to keep the city of New Orleans happy.

Cut 18 (17)  “…my whole goal.”

New Orleans will be without running back Devin Neal as he suffered a hamstring injury against Carolina and will also be without wide receiver Devaughn Vele as he suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s game. Kickoff is at noon.

The Pelicans won their third straight game last night against the Houston Rockets by a score of 133-128 after coming back from a 25-point deficit in the third quarter. Veteran forward Saddiq Bey scored a season-high 29 points.

The LSU men’s basketball team is back at the PMAC tonight after being on the road for nearly a month as they take on Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m.

12.19.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Tulane makes its first appearance in the College Football Playoff Saturday, where it’ll face Ole Miss for the second time this season. Head coach Jon Sumrall credited his team’s success to its closeness and says he has full belief in its ability to pull off an upset.

Cut 16 (12) “…we fight.”

Ole Miss is a 17.5 point favorite tomorrow.

The college football playoff gets underway tonight with Oklahoma hosting Alabama. In late October, the Sooners defeated the Crimson Tide 23-21.

The Pelicans had their best win of the season last night for their third straight victory as New Orleans defeated Houston 133 to 128 in overtime. The Pels trailed by 25 points in the first half. Saddiq Bey had a season high 29 points and Trey Murphy added 27 points.

 

The Saints are seeking their third straight win on Sunday when they host the Jets and they are getting good play from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Tight end Juwan Johnson knew Shough prior to playing for the Saints, as both started their careers at Oregon. Johnson says he’s seeing Shough play with lots of confidence lately.

Cut 19 (17) “…what it is.”

Running back Devin Neal has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

In college hoops, the Ragin Cajuns scored just 17 points in the first half in their Sun Belt opener and lost to Southern Miss 62 to 54.

Tonight, LSU hosts Southeastern Louisiana. The Tigers are 9-1, while the Lions are 4-7.

The son of former LSU head coach Les Miles has been hired by Marshall Faulk and Southern’s new tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.