Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.12.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

I’m Jeanne Burns and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins…

Tough end to the weekend for the third-ranked LSU baseball team as the Tigers could not complete the sweep of seventh-ranked Arkansas. LSU’s pitchers walked nine hitters on the afternoon, and Coach Jay Johnson was ejected in the eighth inning after arguing balls and strikes. It looked like home plate umpire Brandon Cooper was going to call strike three on an Arkansas hitter, but when he didn’t, Johnson came out of the dugout…

Cut 19 (15) “…yeah.”

But overall,l it was still a good weekend for the Tigers, who won in extra innings in game one of the series and then had a run rule victory in game 2. The Tigers are 17-10 in SEC play heading into the final series of the season.

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Surprising news came down on Saturday morning as quarterback Derek Carr announced his retirement because of degenerative damage to his right shoulder. Carr’s retirement leaves three quarterbacks in the Saints’ room – 26-year-old Jake Haener, 24-year-old Spencer Rattler and 25-year-old rookie Tyler Shough (“shuck”). Coach Kellen Moore says Carr’s injury and subsequent retirement had no impact on the team’s decision to draft a quarterback in the second round.

Cut 16 (10) “…awareness to it.”

Back to baseball…the Ragin Cajuns and Warhawks were both swept, Louisiana Tech avoided a sweep with an 11-8 win over Jacksonville State yesterday. Sebastian Mexico drove in four runs.

Southeastern Louisiana swept a doubleheader from Nicholls on Saturday to win the Southland regular season championship.

The S-L-U softball team is headed to LSU this weekend for the Baton Rouge Regional. The Tigers are a 10-national seed.

05.10.25
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

I’m Jeanne Burns and this sportscast is brought to you by the Louisiana Department of Health, when gambling is more than a game, no one wins…

For the second time this season, LSU won a baseball game after one o’ clock in the morning as the Tigers outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks five to four in ten innings. Jared Jones scored the winning run on a head first slide into home plate just beating the tag from the Arkansas’s catcher. Ethan Frey’s gets the game winning RBI on a sacrifice fly. Derek Curiel tied the game with a two-run single in the seventh inning and Zac Cowan was the winning pitcher.

In other action last night, ULM was held to one hit in a 10 to nothing loss to 14th ranked Coastal Carolina. The Ragin Cajuns were held to three hits in an eleven to three loss to 21st ranked Southern Miss 11 to 3. Louisiana Tech had just four hits and lost to Jacksonville State four to two. The Bulldogs have lost four in a row

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McNeese trailed five to nothing but came back to beat Northwestern State seven to six to end the Demons six game winning streak. Southeastern and Nicholls were rained out in Thibodaux so the two teams will play a doubleheader at 1 PM.

Southeastern softball has forced a deciding game in the Southland Tournament Championship series as the Lions defeated the Cowgirls two to nothing. Lainee Bailey with the complete game shutout.

U-L Lafayette and ULM were eliminated in the Sun Belt softball tournament. Coastal Carolina beat the Cajuns six to one, while ninth seeded James Madison upset the fourth seeded Warhawks four to two.

Louisiana Tech was knocked out of the Conference USA Softball Tournament losing in the semifinals to top seeded Liberty two to one in ten innings.

The Saints have signed six of their nine draft picks, including offensive lineman Kelvin Banks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Banks inked a four-year deal, worth almost 28 million dollars. New Orleans is holding a rookie minicamp this weekend.

05.09.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU hosts Arkansas in a three-game series that begins tonight, as long as Mother Nature doesn’t interfere. The Razorbacks are 40-and-9 overall, 17-and-7 in the SEC. They are ranked number one in the country by the college baseball writers association after sweeping the previously number one ranked team in the country, Texas. Arkansas swept the Tigers last season, and senior Josh Pearson says the Hogs are always tough.

Cut 18 (23)  “…playing them here.”

Weather permitting, first pitch is at 6:30.

The Ragin Cajuns will take on 21st ranked Southern Miss in Hattiesburg over the next three days. U-L Lafayette’s overall record is 25-and-24, but the Cajuns swept Georgia State last weekend. Coach Matt Deggs wants to see his team continue to play consistently good baseball.

Cut 20 (17) “…keep showing up.”

ULM had a five run lead last night over 14th ranked Coastal Carolina, but ended up losing eight to six.

Shocking score from the Southland last night as Nicholls blanked first Southeastern Louisiana 13 to nothing in seven innings. Northwestern State won its sixth straight a five to two win over McNeese in Natchitcohes.

Speaking of McNeese, it can punch its ticket to the NCAA Softball Tournament with a win tonight over Southeastern.

05.09.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast May 9 ##Corrected###

Not only was Pope Leo the 14th born in Chicago, but it turns out he has roots in New Orleans. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The city of New Orleans celebrated Cam Jordan day yesterday. The Saints defensive end has been an inspiration and a community leader since he was drafted in 2011.  Jordan was honored by the recognition…

Cut 28 (12) “…be in the community”

 

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit says it made its largest drug bust when they apprehended 31-year-old Dequavious Wagner of Alexandria. Major Tommy Carnline says not only did they arrest a major drug trafficker, but they also confiscated 65 pounds of powder cocaine, nearly 100 pounds of meth, six pounds of fentanyl and several other types of drugs in large quantities…

Cut 5 (11) this gentlemen

Louisiana’s own Lainey Wilson dominated the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, winning entertainer of the year for the second consecutive time, as well as female artist and album of the year. In her acceptance speech, the Franklin Parish native expressed gratitude to her fans

Cut 9 (07)  “…I just appreciate it.”

05.09.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The third ranked LSU baseball team will host seventh ranked Arkansas this weekend. The Tigers are 15-and-9 in the SEC, but they have struggled to score runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson is not overly concerned.

Cut 16 (12) “…into.”

First pitch is at 6:30.

In other action, after getting swept by Louisiana Tech last weekend, the Bulldogs will visit Jacksonville State this weekend. Tech is 11-9 in Conference USA play, while the Gamecocks are 11-0.

The Ragin Cajuns are at 21st ranked Southern Miss. UL Lafayette swept Georgia State last weekend, while the Golden Eagles swept Arkansas State last weekend.

ULM lost its seventh straight last night falling to 14th ranked Coastal Carolina eight to six.

The New Orleans City Council honored Saints defensive end Cam Jordan yesterday for his contribution to the city on and off the field. May Eighth was officially known as Cam Jordan Day in New Orleans. Jordan has 121.5 career sacks, but he’s spent countless hours giving back to the community and appearing at schools. Jordan says it was a humbling experience to have a day named after you…

Cut 28 (12) “…be in the community”

05.09.25
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11:30 LRN Newscast

Catholics in Louisiana are abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Franklin Parish’s own Lainey Wilson was the big winner at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards as she was named the entertainer of the year for a second consecutive year. Wilson also added to her trophy collection by winning female artist and album of the year.

The Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch has released a study that finds excessive litigation has led to nearly 40-thousand jobs lost, two-point-nine billion dollars in lost personal income and over 240-million dollars in annual state revenue losses. The study urges comprehensive tort reform, citing other states’ successes in boosting economic performance and job creation through such measures. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch director Lana Venable says without reform, Louisiana risks continued economic decline.

Cut 6 (11) “…these numbers change.”

Sunday is Mother’s Day and hopefully it will be a stress free day for all of the Moms out there. Louisiana Healthcare Connections says unfortunately one in five women experience a mental health crisis and Doctor Dana Lawson says just being there to lend a sympathetic ear can make a women’s day…

Cut 14 (09) “…to be heard”

05.09.25
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Catholics in Louisiana are abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.

Franklin Parish’s own Lainey Wilson was the big winner at last night’s Academy of Country Music Awards as she was named the entertainer of the year for a second consecutive year. Wilson also added to her trophy collection by winning female artist and album of the year.

 

The former Webster Parish registrar of voters and her husband were found dead in their home on Wednesday night and Sheriff Jason Parker says they are waiting to release a cause of death until the autopsy report comes back on 63-year-old Melanie Smith and 58-year-old Kenny Smith…

Cut 11 (08) “…to the family”

Melanie Smith was the Registrar of Voters for 29 years for Webster Parish and Kenny Smith was a retired local businessman.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and hopefully it will be a stress free day for all of the Moms out there. Louisiana Healthcare Connections says unfortunately one in five women experience a mental health crisis and Doctor Dana Lawson says just being there to lend a sympathetic ear can make a women’s day…

Cut 14 (09) “…to be heard”

05.09.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Catholics in Louisiana are abuzz over the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the church.  Robert Prevost was elected on the second day of the conclave at the Vatican, and he has chosen Leo the 14th as his papal name. LSU professor of religious studies and history Michael Pasquier (pass-KAY) says Leo the 14th was already a worldly figure before his ascension to the head of the Catholic church.

Cut 7 (13) “…the wider Americas.”

And Pope Leo has connections to Louisiana as records indicate his grandparents lived in New Orleans.

Webster Parish deputies are investigating the deaths of the former Registrar of Voters and her husband. Sheriff Justin Parker says 63-year-old Melanie Smith and 58-year-old Kenny Smith were found dead at around eight Wednesday night inside their home during a welfare check.

Cut 10 (07) “…in the residence.”

A cause of death has not been released.

 

A study reveals that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable says excessive litigation has led to nearly 40-thousand lost jobs, 2.9-billion-dollars in lost personal income, and over 240-million dollars in annual state revenue losses.

Cut 4 (11) “…retail establishments.”

Louisiana lawmakers in the legislative session are taking another stab at tort reform for car crashes that go to court.

The third ranked LSU baseball team will host seventh ranked Arkansas this weekend. The Tigers are 15-and-9 in the SEC, but they have struggled to score runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson is not overly concerned.

Cut 16 (12) “…into.”

First pitch is at 6:30.

05.09.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU Tigers will host the Arkansas Razorbacks tonight in a matchup of two of the best teams in the country. In the baseball writers poll, the Hogs are ranked number one after sweeping Texas and LSU is ranked third. But the Tigers have not a lot of runs in their recent losses. Coach Jay Johnson gives credit to some of the opposing pitchers LSU has recently faced…

Cut 17 (18) “….they have”

LSU will face another good pitcher tonight. Left-hander Zach Root threw eight shutout innings and struck out a career high 11 last week against Texas.

In the Southland Conference Softball Tournament, McNeese Walked off Southeastern Louisiana three to two last night to take game one of the championship series.

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The Ragin Cajuns are at 21st ranked Southern Miss this weekend. U-L Lafayette is coming off a three-game sweep of Georgia State in Atlanta. The Cajuns scored 28 runs in the three-game series and hit eight home runs. Coach Matt Deggs’s team  brings a 15-9 Sun Belt record to Hattiesburg.

Cut 19 (15) “…train rolling.”

In action last night…Coastal Carolina scored seven runs in the seventh inning to rally from a five-run deficit to beat ULM eight to six.

Nicholls blanked Southeastern Louisiana 13 to 0  as Narvin Booker drove in four runs and Nuno Parache struck out 10 in a complete game effort. Northwestern State won its sixth in a row as the Demons defeated McNeese five to two.

ULM and the Cajuns advance in the Sun Belt Softball Tournament, while LSU and La Tech were eliminated from their conference tourneys.

05.09.25
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6:30 LRN Newscast

A study shows that Louisiana’s civil court system is significantly harming the state’s economy.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Louisiana Catholics are excited over the selection U-S born Robert Prevost as the first pope from America. Prevost a Chicago native, who has family roots from Louisiana. Records show his grandparents lived in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond says Leo the 14th is not known as a conservative or a liberal, so he sees both sides of the issue and he’s deeply rooted in the teachings of the church.

The investigation continues in northwest Louisiana into the death of former Webster Parish Registrar of Voters Melanie Smith and her husband Kenny. They were found dead in their home outside of Minden. Webster Parish Sheriff Justin Parker says the community mourns the loss of the couple, who were well-known and respected.

Cut 12 (06) “…to the family.”

Their bodies were sent to Little Rock for an autopsy to be conducted on their bodies.

On this Mother’s Day, make a special effort to check on the mental health of the women who are near and dear to you. Research has shown that one in five women experience a mental health crisis at some point in their lives. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Dr. Dana Lawson says mental health is a big issue among women.

Cut 13 (12)  “…so many burdens.”