Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.18.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 18

The Sun Belt Championship Game between the Ragin Cajuns and Coastal Carolina has been canceled because of a positive coronavirus case within the Chanticleers football team. That positive case along with contact tracing prevented an entire position group from playing in tomorrow’s game. Both teams have been declared co-Sun Belt Champions. U-L Lafayette now waits to see what bowl game they’ll play in.

LSU wraps up the season tomorrow versus Ole Miss at 2:30 in Tiger Stadium. The Rebels can score with anyone in college football, but they have the worst defense in the SEC, allowing 529 yards a game and 39 points per contest. LSU center Liam Shanahan says the Tigers’ offense can take control of the game…
cut 17 (10) “…good things”
Starting right guard Chasen Hines and running back Ty Davis Price have been ruled out because of injuries.

The Saints released a video of practice that showed Quarterback Drew Brees going through warmups yesterday. Coach Sean Payton says he wants to see Brees play without limitations as he continues to recover from rib fractures and a punctured lung. Wide receiver Michael Thomas missed his second straight practice with an ankle injury. New Orleans hosts Kansas City on Sunday.

The LSU men’s basketball team had to cancel its scheduled game with North Texas tomorrow morning because of coronavirus protocols. The Tigers also had to cancel Wednesday’s game against UNO and Coach Will Wade, who tested positive for the virus, did not coach in Monday’s win over Sam Houston State. LSU says a decision on Tuesday’s game against VCU will be made early next week.

The Pelicans host Milwaukee tonight for their second and final preseason game. New Orleans will have a chance to say hello to Jrue Holiday. The Pels former team leader was traded to Milwaukee in the offseason.

12.18.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast December 18

Governor John Bel Edwards says so far at least seven thousand coronavirus vaccines have been administered to hospital workers this week and some of the five-dose vials of vaccine actually have a sixth dose…
cut 11 (10) “…to us”
But the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has surpassed 16-hundred. That’s the highest it’s been since early May.

Today is the deadline to send mail and packages by first class mail in order for that gift to arrive by Christmas Day. Amazon says December 23rd will be the last day for one-day delivery. Amazon spokesperson Alyssa Bronikowski says air fryers, headphones and board games are the most popular items shipped…
cut 15 (11) “…country”

The state’s Domestic Violence Flexible Housing Assistance Program receives a million-dollar grant…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry has stepped down from LSU’s presidential search committee. Ausberry faces allegations he did not properly report accusations that a former football player hit his girlfriend.

12.17.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast December 17

After losing to a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start last week, the Saints face one of the best quarterbacks in the league this Sunday when they take on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Sean Payton says what makes Mahomes so tough to defend is his great pocket presence.
cut 17 (22) “…those receivers.”
The Saints have designated quarterback Drew Brees for return to practice, but Payton says Brees has a ways to go and they will not rush him back. Brees has missed the last four games as he recovers from eleven broken ribs and a punctured lung.

The LSU men’s basketball team has had to postpone Saturday’s game against North Texas, after not playing U-N-O last night because in accordance with SEC and NCAA COVID-19 protocols.

On the first day of the early signing period, LSU lost a couple of recruits to Alabama, but Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU responded well…
cut 15 (09) “…people wanted”
That linebacker is Bugg Strong from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He’s rated as the number one JUCO linebacker prospect in the country.

The Ragin Cajuns also signed a JUCO linebacker. Kendre Gant is rated as the third-best outside linebacker by 24-7 sports coming out of the JUCO ranks. He spent this past season at Independence Community College. Before that he was at F-I-U.

The Monroe News-star reports that former ULM offensive coordinator Matt Kubik, Louisiana Tech offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and Memphis receivers coach and passing game coordinator John Simon are interviewing for the ULM head coaching job.

12.17.20
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2:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s unfortunate that Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry supported a lawsuit that sought to overturn millions of votes in the presidential election. Edwards says the Trump campaign has yet to provide any real evidence of widespread voter fraud. He says it’s time to accept President-elect Joe Biden’s victory…
cut 5 (07) “…unify”

Exxon Mobil is looking at making a 240-million dollar investment to modernize its Baton Rouge refinery, but plant manager Gloria Moncada says Exxon will only agree to do the project if local governments in East Baton Rouge Parish grant them a property tax break through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program…
cut 14 (13) “…project funding”
The city-parish, schools, and the sheriff’s office would see less money if the property tax is approved.

A Shreveport man serving a life sentence for selling two bags of marijuana has been released after 12 years in Angola. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Innocence Project New Orleans.
cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Iowa High School student who told others that he was trigger happy and would kill as many students as he could. The 16-year-old has been charged with terrorizing. A school resource officer notified deputies of the possible threat.

12.17.20
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LRN PM Newscall December 17

On his monthly talk show, Governor Edwards went after Attorney General Jeff Landry for his participation in a lawsuit that sought to overturn the results of the Presidential election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A Shreveport man serving a life sentence for selling two bags of marijuana has been released after 12 years in Angola. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Innocence Project New Orleans.

cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_____________________________

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards said it’s past time everyone accepts President-elect Joe Biden won the November election.

Edwards says it’s hard to justify holding out considering just earlier this week the Electoral College gave Biden 306 votes.

Cut 3 (11)  “..loser.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is the only member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge Biden’s win.

Edwards bemoaned what he called a “fruitless” effort by some Republican Attorneys General, including Jeff Landry, to challenge the legitimacy of votes in key battleground states.

Cut 4 (13)   “..evidence”  

Over the weekend the US Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit filed by the Texas AG challenging those votes.

Edwards says it is vital for our democracy that these results be accepted.

Cut 5  (07) “…unify” 

36 percent of all voters and 77 percent of Trump voters in a recent Fox News poll believe the election was stolen from the President.

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Fate Winslow is a free man after serving 12-years in prison for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer in Shreveport for 20-dollars. Winslow was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 because he was a fourth-time habitual offender. Innocence Project New Orleans Executive Director Jee Park says Winslow was released on the grounds of ineffective counsel.

Cut 6 (12) “…excessive.”

Park says IPNO has been working for about a year to overturn the sentence due to ineffective counsel and working with the Caddo Parish District Attorney.

Cut 7 (10) “…after September 2008”

Winslow had three previous felony convictions but they were nonviolent offenses. Park says the 53-year-old spent almost a quarter of his life behind bars for selling two bags of marijuana valued at 20 bucks…

Cut 8 (09) “…for food.”

Winslow is the third individual IPNO has freed this year through its new Unjust Punish Project. Park also noted that the crime Winslow was convicted of is no longer a crime in 16 states and the District of Columbia

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Tomorrow is the last day to ship a Christmas present via USPS First-Class Mail and have it arrive in time for Christmas.

USPS spokesperson Albert Ruiz says it’s vital you ship that package ASAP because a lot more packages are getting shipped this season than in prior years.

Cut 9 (08) “…last year”

The priority mail deadline is December 19th.

Ruiz says USPS workers are doing overtime hours to meet the massive demand this year.

Cut 10 (07) “…week”

If you wait any longer than tomorrow your final and most expensive option for a Christmas delivery is Priority Mail Express, due by December 23rd. Ruiz says using that option might not get it in time for Christmas Eve, but…

Cut 11 (08) “…as well”

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ExxonMobil is looking at investing 240-million dollars into its Baton Rouge refinery and a decision on whether to proceed would be made next year. Exxon’s Baton Rouge refinery manager Gloria Moncada says they plan to install new technology into the refinery that’s been around for 110 years…

Cut 12 (11) “…refinery emissions” 

Baton Rouge Exxon Mobil refinery employs 13-hundred workers. Moncada says the project would not add permanent jobs, but it would provide hundreds of construction jobs…

Cut 13 (09)“…middle of 2021.”

Moncada says in order for the project to be approved, they need local governments in East Baton Rouge to grant them a property tax break through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program…

Cut 14 (13) “…project funding” 

Moncada says they also plan to use the state’s workforce development training program known as FastStart.

12.17.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 17

LSU signed 19 players on the opening day of the early signing period and can fill out the class by signing six more. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins expects Coach Ed Orgeron to go after more offensive linemen…
cut 16 (10) “….the portal”
Orgeron said on his radio show last night that he may sign three or four more offensive linemen.

Louisiana Tech signed ten players yesterday, four of them are offensive linemen, including two from Shreveport, Erron Bean from Huntington High School and Carson Bruno from Byrd High School. Coach Skip Holtz is high on both of them…
cut 30 (15) “…bright, bright stars”
Tech also signed an o-lineman from Karr High School, Kenneth Bannister.

The Saints have designated Drew Brees to return from injured reserve, which means the team has 21 days to add him to the active roster. But Coach Sean Payton says they are not going to hurry Brees back just so he can play in a game. The 41-year-old Brees has not played since November 15th when he suffered fractured ribs and punctured lung when he was sacked in the 49ers game.

Meanwhile, the Black and Gold continue preparations for Sunday’s game against the 12-and-1 Chiefs. Kansas City Coach Andy Reid won his first Super Bowl last season and Payton says he’s always had a lot of respect for Reid…
cut 18 (21) “…is special”
Kick-off is at 3:25 and the Chiefs are a three-point favorite.

12.17.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Louisiana received 39-thousand doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this week and Governor Edwards says the state will receive another 40-thousand doses next week. After that, they’ll find out what the state’s allotment is on a week to week basis…
cut 9 (11) “….orders”
The Moderna vaccine could receive F-D-A approval soon. An advisory panel of the F-D-A is meeting today looking at Moderna’s trial results. Assistant Dean for Translational Research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele, says the data looks remarkably good and the side effects are minor…
cut 12 (07) “…concern”
Miele says the efficacy rate for the Moderna vaccine is 94-percent.

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson has launched her campaign for the Louisiana’s Second Congressional District seat. Peterson also served as the Chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party. Peterson says she’s not afraid to tackle the issues
cut 5 (08) “…doing that”
New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is also campaigning to replace Cedric Richmond, who is stepping down for a position in the Biden Administration.

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of the early signing period and Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it was a good day for Coach Ed Orgeron and his recruiting staff..
cut 14 (08) “…four stars”
The two five-star recruits are Terrebonne Defensive tackle Maason Smith and Lafayette Christian Safety Sage Ryan. Alabama was after both prospects.

12.17.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Governor John Bel Edwards says the first week of vaccination distribution is going well and they’ve successfully vaccinated thousands of frontline healthcare workers since Monday. Edwards says Louisiana received 39,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Cut 8 (08) “…allocations”

The Moderna Vaccine seeks approval today in front of an advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration. Taylor Sharp has the story…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

The race is heating up in the second Congressional district as Cedric Richmond is set to step down to join the Biden administration. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson officially announced her campaign yesterday and fellow New Orleans Senator Troy Carter has also joined the race. Both are Democrats, but Carter says he plans to reach across the aisle to bring more resources back to Louisiana…
cut 6 (10) “…done”
New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno may enter the race as well.

On the first day of the early signing period, LSU lost a couple of recruits to Alabama, but Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU responded well…
cut 15 (09) “…people wanted”
That linebacker is Bugg Strong from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He’s rated as the number one JUCO linebacker prospect in the country.

12.17.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Thousands of frontline healthcare workers have received the Pfizer COVID vaccine this week. Governor Edwards says he’s pleased with the vaccine rollout so far…
Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

The governor made those comments during his monthly radio show. He also called the lawsuit that sought to overturn the presidential election unfortunate. It was a lawsuit supported by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Edwards says people should accept the results.

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson has officially launched her campaign to replace Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s Second District U-S Representative. Peterson touts her legislative record that shows her commitment to economic, racial, environmental, and reproductive justice.
Cut 4 (08) “…Congress.”
New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is also in the race and believes he can get things done during a contentious time in D-C…
cut 7 (09) “…happen”

LSU signed 19 players on the opening day of the early signing period and can fill out the class by signing six more. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins expects Coach Ed Orgeron to go after more offensive linemen…
cut 16 (10) “….the portal”

12.17.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 17

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of the early signing period and Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it was a good day for Coach Ed Orgeron and his recruiting staff..
cut 14 (08) “…four stars”
The two five-star recruits are Terrebonne Defensive tackle Maason Smith and Lafayette Christian Safety Sage Ryan. Alabama was after both prospects. LSU lost a couple of commits to Alabama, Texas receiver JoJo Earle and defensive end Keanu Koht.

The Ragin Cajuns signed ten players, including Ouachita Christian High School Quarterback Hunter Herring. Coach Billy Napier says they can’t wait to work with him…
cut 19 (16) “…with his legs”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been designed to return from injured reserve, which means the team has 21 days to decide whether to promote him to the active roster. In a conference call with reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Coach Sean Payton said Brees still has a ways to go as he recovers from multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas did not practice yesterday. He’s coming off an eight catch performance against Philadelphia. It’s possible the Saints are giving Thomas some extra time as he continues to battle that sprained ankle suffered in week one.

In college basketball….LSU did not play UNO as scheduled, because of COVID issues with the Tigers hoops teams. LSU still plans on hosting North Texas on Saturday.

For the second straight season. Grambling beat ULM 78-61. The Tigers were 11 of 23 from the three-point line. Cameron Christian and Cameron Woodall each scored 17 points, each hitting three-three pointers.