Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.16.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints fell behind 10-0 and Drew Brees missed the second half with an injury, but the Black and Gold still won their sixth straight beating San Francisco 27-13 in the Superdome yesterday. Brees suffered a rib injury in the first half on a big hit that drew a roughing the quarterback penalty.
Jameis Winston relieved Brees and led New Orleans on an important fourth quarter drive that ended in an Alvin Kamara touchdown, his third of the day. Kamara knew Winston would be ready…
cut 14 (12) “…one person”
Josh Hill and Tre’Quan Smith also left the game with a concussion.

But the injury focus is on Brees, who says he’ll take it one day at a time…
cut 29 (09) “…possibly can”

The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns locked up a Sun Belt Western Division title with a 38-10 win over South Alabama on Saturday. The Cajuns started fast and had a balanced attack throughout. Coach Billy Napier says it was nice to see his team take control early…
cut 17 (18) “….our play”
The Cajuns will play in the Sun Belt title on December 19th. But this Saturday they host Central Arkansas.

After defeating Army 38-12, Tulane will travel to 25th ranked Tulsa on Thursday. The Golden Hurricane is 4-0 in the American Conference. Green Wave defensive end Patrick Johnson says Tulsa will be tough to beat…
cut 20 (07) “…play next week now”
Tulane has won three in a row.

11.15.20
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Updated LRN AM Newscall November 16

The family of a teenager who was found dead in Iberia Parish after being reported missing under mysterious circumstances is calling for an independent investigation into what happened. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A study published in the journal Nature says climate change is causing hurricanes to retain their strength longer. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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After months of relative calm Louisiana appears to be facing a third wave of COVID. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Civil rights activists and the ACLU demand an independent investigation into the death of a 15-year-old Black male who was found dead in an Iberia Parish sugar cane field.

An Iberia Parish Coroner’s report concluded that Quawan “Bobby” Charles drowned and that damage to his face was caused by wildlife, but ACLU of Louisiana head Alanah Odoms believes it may have been a hate crime.

Cut 4 (12) “…going on.”

Charles’ body has been sent to an independent forensics lab in Texas. A report from that lab is expected soon.

Charles’ parents have expressed serious concern with the lack of transparency and the slow pace of the investigation. Odoms says the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Department has provided little information to the family…

Cut 5 (08) “…life.”

Last week an Iberia Parish Sheriff’s spokesperson said the investigation is ongoing and there is little information that can be given out at this time, but the death is being investigated as a possible homicide.

Charles went missing on October 30th in Baldwin. Odoms says it’s highly frustrating that Baldwin Police did not contact State Police about putting out an Amber Alert after being contacted by Charles’ family.

Cut 6 (05) “…there.”

Charles was found 20 miles away from his home in the field near Loreauville on November 3rd.

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An article in the journal Nature claims hurricanes are keeping their staying power longer once they make landfall, thus more inland destruction. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we know once storms make landfall, they are cut off from their energy source of warm water.

Cut 7 (11)  “…much longer.”

Keim says the study showed the average length of time it took a storm to weaken to two-thirds of its landfall strength in the 1960s was about 17-hours.

Cut 8 (04) “…same extent.”

Keim says a good example of longer staying power is Hurricane Laura, it made landfall as a Category 4 and was still at hurricane strength when it reached Shreveport 250-miles inland.

Keim says hurricanes are no longer seen as a coastal issue as warmer sea temperatures from climate change serve as an energy reservoir for storms.

Cut 9 (10) “…makes landfall.”

The study compared 71 Atlantic hurricanes with landfalls as far back from 1967.

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Governor Edwards says he’s concerned about the recent spike in COVID cases and indicated that if it were to continue the state may have to move back to Phase Two or more.

The US has shattered total new daily case records throughout November, leading to new restrictions and lockdowns elsewhere in the country. Edwards says he hopes that’s not needed here…

Cut 10 (11) “…die.”

Edwards says unlike the first wave of cases in the spring if we were to begin running out of hospital capacity we couldn’t just send patients out of state right now.

Cut 11 (11) “…available.”

Edwards says we can avoid the fate much of the rest of the country is facing if we redouble our mask-wearing and social distancing efforts, and we need to start now if we want to get ahead of the virus.

Cut 12 (08) “…weeks.”

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The Saints fell behind 10-0, lost quarterback Drew Brees to a rib injury, but still ended up beating San Francisco 27-13 for their sixth straight win. Brees took a big hit in the first half and that drew a roughing the quarterback penalty. He did not play in the second half. Coach Sean Payton

Cut 13 (12) “….made the switch”

Jameis Winston took over as the number one QB in the second half and led the Saints on an important fourth-quarter drive that resulted in a Alvin Kamara touchdown, his third of the day. Kamara says he knew Winston would be ready…

Cut 14 (12) “..one person.” 

Brees says he’ll take his injury one day at a time and he may have injured more than one rib. He wasn’t the only starter who got hurt on Sunday. Tre’Quan Smith and Josh Hill both left the game with a concussion. Payton says his team was able to adapt to the personnel changes…

Cut 15 (12)“.. playing well” 

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The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns are Sun Belt Western Division champs for a third consecutive season. U-L Lafayette clinched a spot in the conference title game with a 38-10 win over South Alabama. Coach Billy Napier says it was their best performance of the year as a football team

Cut 16 (23) “…tackled well.”

The Cajuns started off fast as they scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and had a balanced effort throughout with 254 yards rushing and 252 yards passing. The defense didn’t allow any points in the second half. Napier says it was nice to see his team take control early…

cut 17 (18) “…our plan”

The Cajuns will play in the Sun Belt Championship on December 19th against either Coastal Carolina or Appalachian State. But Napier’s team still has three regular-season games left before that contest…

cut 18 (18) “..continue to improve.”

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Tulane won its third straight on Saturday as they had no trouble beating Army 38-12 at Yulman Stadium. Green Wave Coach Willie Frtiz says all three phases played well

cut 19 (20) “… clock”

Tulane will seek a fourth straight win on Thursday night when they visit 25th ranked Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane is 4-0 in the American Athletic Conference after beating previously 19th ranked SMU. Green Wave defensive end Patrick Johnson says Tulsa will be tough to beat…

cut 20 (07) “…next week now”

11.13.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast November 13

The Saints are seeking their sixth straight win on Sunday when they face the San Francisco 49ers. After appearing in the Super Bowl last season, the 49ers have been hit with a bunch of injuries and enter Sunday’s game with a four and five record. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s not taking San Fran lightly
cut 18 (18) “..doing that.”
The Saints will also play in front of their biggest home crowd of the season as six-thousand fans will be allowed inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Cajuns can win a Sun Belt Western Division title on Saturday with a win over South Alabama. But the Pride of Acadiana will not be there as the school has suspended on-campus music-making activities because of the rising number of COVID cases on campus and that includes band members.

The SEC announces it will use December 19th as a date to make up games that need to be rescheduled. That’s the day for the SEC Championship game as well. But it also opens the door for the league to reschedule Saturday’s postponed game between LSU-and-Alabama. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says December fifth is a possibility and that means the Ole Miss game on that day would be played on December 19th.

Woodward says there is only a small number of players who have tested positive, but many more are in quarantine. He says none of the players who have tested positive for COVID, have experienced a serious illness…
cut 5 (14) “…vulnerable”

And La Tech is hopeful its postponed game with Rice can be rescheduled. The Bulldogs reportedly did not have enough healthy offensive linemen to play on Saturday.

11.13.20
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LRN PM Newscall November 13

Instead of hosting number one ranked Alabama on Saturday, Tiger Stadium will be empty as a COVID-19 outbreak has sidelined the team. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (29) “  I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Louisiana moves past 200-thousand coronavirus cases since the pandemic started after reporting nearly 35-hundred new cases on Friday. Don Molino has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”  

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Three college football games involving teams from Louisiana have been postponed this weekend due to Covid-19 concerns. LSU, Louisiana Tech and ULM are each dealing with coronavirus cases on their team. The Tigers were scheduled to host Alabama. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says LSU could possibly move the Ole Miss game to December 19th in order to play Alabama on December 5th.

Cut 3 (09)  “…to me”  

LSU has already lost one home game this year when the matchup against Missouri was moved to Columbia due to Hurricane Delta.  Woodward says the school can’t afford to lose another home game because the university will miss out on millions of dollars.

Cut 4 (09)   “…program.”  

Woodward says there is only a small number of players who have tested positive, but many more are in quarantine. He says none of the players who have tested positive, have experienced a serious illness.

Cut 5  (14) “…vulnerable.” 

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Gron Fuels is considering constructing a 9.2 billion dollar renewable fuel complex in the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the facility would produce clean-burning fuels and would utilize one of Louisiana’s cash crops.

Cut 6 (08) “…disesel”

The leftover soybean husks from the process could then be turned into cattle feed.

Pierson says the West Baton Rouge-based port is perfectly situated on the Mississippi River and already is built to handle the kinds of advanced logistics necessary to transport the complex’s product.

Cut 7 (10) “…products.”

If constructed the first phase of the project would be a 1.2 billion dollar investment. Once all phases are complete the facility would employ over 1,000 workers at an average salary of just under six figures.

A final investment decision is expected in 2021, and Pierson is feeling confident we will land it.

Cut 8 (09) “..positioned.

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Today’s COVID numbers for Louisiana are startling, 35-hundred, the highest the state has seen since the start of the pandemic in March.  Governor John Bel Edwards says they show an alarming trend two weeks after Halloween and the House Petition to overturn coronavirus restrictions in the state.

Cut 9 (07) “…the summer.”

News of a 90-percent effectiveness rate on a vaccine was released earlier this week, but the vaccine has yet to be approved and distributed. Edwards says it will be sometime before the vaccine can make a difference.

Cut 10 (13) “….recommendations.”

Edwards implored Louisianans to take precautions and to wear face masks. The CDC released a report this week that face masks also benefit the wearer. While Edwards is optimistic about the pandemic next summer and a vaccine, the present situation is dire.

Cut 11 (08) “….of Louisiana”

Governor Edwards will be holding a press conference at 3 pm today and LDH will unveil a new COVID dashboard.

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A new poll shows a tight race for the 2nd Congressional District should Congressman Cedric Richmond leave his seat to join the Biden administration.

LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s only a matter of time before we find out what job Richmond, a close ally of President-elect Biden, works next…

Cut 12 (10) “…comming” 

The 2nd District is the state’s majority-minority district and it covers New Orleans and communities along the Mississippi River into north Baton Rouge.

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu leads in the poll, followed by City Councilwoman Helena Moreno, and State Senators Troy Carter, Cleo Fields, and Karen Carter Peterson…

Cut 13 (07) “…too soon.”

Landrieu is far out ahead of the pack, scoring 25 percent support in the poll but should he not run Moreno and Carter would be nearly tied for the lead.

Alford says should the highly coveted seat come open he expects things will get down and dirty pretty quickly.

Cut 14 (12) “…the ladder” 

11.13.20
by

2:30 LRN Newscast November 13

Louisiana moves past 200-thousand coronavirus cases since the pandemic started after reporting nearly 35-hundred new cases on Friday. Don Molino has more…
cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

State officials say the federal government has approved five more parishes hit by Hurricane Delta for disaster food stamps. They are Beauregard, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry and St. Martin. Residents in Beauregard, Rapides, and St. Landry Parishes who previously received D-SNAP benefits due to Hurricane Laura will automatically receive a second month.

Three college football games involving teams from Louisiana have been postponed this weekend due to Covid-19 concerns. LSU, Louisiana Tech and ULM are each dealing with coronavirus cases on their team. The Tigers were scheduled to host Alabama. Athletic Director Scott Woodward says LSU could possibly move the Ole Miss game to December 19th in order to play Alabama on December 5th.
Cut 3 (09) “…to me”

A poll shows a tight race to replace Second district Congressman Cedric Richmond, if he decides to leave the House of Representatives for a position in the Biden Administration. Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu leads in the survey, followed by City Councilwoman Helena Moreno, and State Senators Troy Carter, Cleo Fields, and Karen Carter Peterson. La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford…
cut 13 (07) “…too soon”
And it’s possible Richmond remains in Congress.

11.13.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast November 13

COVID-19 has resulted in three college football games involving Louisiana football teams being postponed this weekend. LSU versus Alabama, ULM against Arkansas State and yesterday Louisiana Tech informed Rice that because of a combination of COVID-19 cases, contact tracing and injuries they have a position group that’s too thin to play a game on Saturday.

LSU is hoping to make-up the Alabama game, even though the Tigers do not have an open date before the SEC Championship game on December 19th. Athletics Director Scott Woodward says his staff is working with the SEC to make sure the game will be played or else it’s another financial hit for his department…
cut 4 (13) “…as a program”
Just three SEC games on Saturday as four games have been postponed because of COVID-19.

Linebacker Kwon Alexander is eligible to make his Saints debut on Sunday when New Orleans hosts San Francisco. The Saints acquired Alexander in a deal with the 49ers before the trade deadline. The former LSU Tiger is 30-years-old and was a Pro Bowler in 2018. Safety Malcolm Jenkins is impressed with Alexander’s athletic ability
cut 17 (15) “…better defense.”
There were five Saints who were limited in practice last week including Quarterback Drew Brees. But he was limited last week as well and still led New Orleans to a five straight win last week.

25th ranked U-L Lafayette can win a Sun Betl Western Division Championship with a win over South Alabama on Saturday. It would be the third straight title for the Ragin Cajuns who are 6-and-1 on the season.

Tulane is also in action tomorrow as they are set to host Army at 11 AM on ESPN Two.

11.13.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast November 13

An effort by Republicans in the Louisiana House to end Governor John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions, including the statewide mask mandate and capacity limits on restaurants and bars, has been ruled unconstitutional by a judge in Baton Rouge. A majority of members in the House believe a petition they signed orders the governor to cancel his public health emergency. But Judge William Morvant says since the petition was not endorsed by the Senate it’s not constitutional.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry argued the case for House Republicans and plans to appeal to the state supreme court. Landry has this advice for petition supporters…
cut 14 (10) “…petition”
Last month Senate President Page Cortez says there was little support in the Upper Chamber to completely overturn the governor’s public health emergency order.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is tonight’s Undercover Boss on CBS. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Glamping is the latest activity to come to Louisiana State Parks…
cut 7 (08) “…a heater”
Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says this upscale version of camping is a partnership with Tentrr and the goal is to increase accommodation options at eight state parks in the Bayou State. For more information go the State Park’s website.

11.13.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast November 13

A Louisiana judge has ruled against an effort by Republicans in the state House who are attempting to put an end to Governor John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus orders. GOP members in the House signed a petition ordering the governor to end the COVID restrictions, but Judge William Morvant says Edwards proclamation can’t be blocked by action from just one chamber of the legislature.

Tulane University will soon be more accessible for low- and middle-income families in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will appear on tonight’s episode of the long-running CBS hit TV show Undercover Boss. Perkins goes undercover, working at several different jobs within city government. He says the toughest gig he worked was at the fire department.
Cut 4 (12) “…fire.”
Perkins also worked with the police, park maintenance team, and at a youth recreation center.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has developed 60 glamping camping sites at Louisiana State Parks. Glamping is a more upscale version of camping. Nungesser says the glampsites feature safari-style tents and queen-sized cots. He says the spacious tents are strategically placed in distinctive settings…
cut 8 (06) “….of them”
Glampers will also have access to park facilities such as showers and restrooms.

11.13.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast November 13

A state judge has ruled a law used by Republicans in the Louisiana House that attempted to cancel Governor John Bel Edwards coronavirus restrictions is unconstitutional. Judge William Morvant says a petition used to revoke the governor’s public health order needs support from both chambers of the legislature not just the House. Executive counsel for Governor Edwards, Matthew Block…
cut 16 (07) “….may times”
Attorney General Jeff Landry plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Tulane will make its university more affordable and accessible next fall to low and middle-income Louisiana families, through The Louisiana Promise initiative, which will allow students whose families make less than $100,000 attend debt-free. Tulane President Michael Fitts.
Cut 10 (11) “…loan free.”
The program will offer sliding-scale financial aid awards based on an assessment of family income and assets.

If you want to camp at a state park but roughing it is not your thing, then Lt Governor Billy Nungesser suggests Glamping.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says five more parishes hit by Hurricane Delta have been approved for disaster food stamps. They are Beauregard, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Landry and St. Martin. Residents in Beauregard, Rapides, and St. Landry Parishes who previously received D-SNAP benefits due to Hurricane Laura will automatically receive a second month.

11.13.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast November 13

For the second straight week, Louisiana Tech had its upcoming football game postponed on Thursday. Last week it was a COVID issue with the North Texas football team. This time the Bulldogs had to postpone Saturday’s home game against Rice, because of injuries, COVID positive cases, and contact tracing led to one position group that is too thin to field a team. The Bulldogs’ next game is set for November 21st versus ULM at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. ULM also had to postpone its scheduled game with Arkansas State this Saturday, because of COVID cases within the Warhawk football program.

So there are two college football games on the schedule for Saturday. Tulane hosts Army and the 25th ranked Ragin Cajuns host South Alabama.

College basketball is right around the corner, LSU is picked to finish third, behind Tennessee and Kentucky. The Ragin Cajuns are picked to finish second in the Sun Belt West behind Little Rock, while ULM is expected to finish sixth.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas appears to be on track to play in his second consecutive game after missing six in a row because of ankle and hamstring injuries. Thomas was limited in practice yesterday, but that was the case last week and he still played against the Bucs. Running back Alvin Kamara says when Thomas is on the field, opposing defenses have to account for him…
cut 19 (15) “…it’s complimentary”
New Orleans hosts San Francisco this Sunday. The Saints are battling with Green Bay and Seattle for the top seed in the NFC. The Packers host Jacksonville and the Seahawks visit the Rams.

A decline in NFL viewership is not as bad as what was feared. The league and Nielsen say games are averaging 15 million television viewers, a six percent decline from last year.