Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

10.08.20
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LRN PM Newscall October 8

Officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Acadia and Lafayette Parishes ahead of Delta’s anticipated landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is once again prepping his hurricane-ravaged community for another oncoming storm. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of Delta’s Friday landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

Cut 3 (08)  “…area”  

While Delta looks like it won’t be a major hurricane at landfall Angelle says the hurricane still has everyone’s attention after what happened to their neighbors just over a month ago…

Cut 4 (06) “seriously”

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says he’s already seen residents in the flood-prone southern portion of the parishes leaving, and they’re moving inmates out of the parish into facilities in north Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…doing.”

Gibson says if you can leave please do, but if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.

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Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they are bracing for round two. The storm track has shifted west over the last few days, but landfall in Cameron is more likely now.

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat for tornadoes.”

Stigger says although the storm is not expected to be a major hurricane at landfall, southwest Louisiana is still a compromised and Delta is making things much worse.

Cut 9 (11) “standby”

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says he can’t believe another hurricane is set to strike the city again, but you can’t let fatigue keep people from taking this storm seriously.  Hunter is urging Lake Charles residents to get out.

Cut 10 (07) “…through Hurricane Delta.”

Hunter says the decision to leave is one that needs to be made quickly.

Cut 11 (06) “…today to evacuate.”

Hunter says it all may seem like a bad dream, but adds that Lake Charles is a resilient community that will get through this.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

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Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes the most impacted parts of Cameron and Calcasieu will miss the brunt of this next storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

The governor says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in a dozen hotels mostly in New Orleans.

Edwards says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in hotels mostly in New Orleans.  The governor says Delta has grown in size since hitting the Yucatan Peninsula

Cut 14 (12) “…Port Fourchon”

10.08.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast October 8

Saints Coach Sean Payton confirms the Black and Gold will stay in New Orleans to prepare for Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The team was looking at relocating to Indianapolis because of Hurricane Delta…
cut 30 (03) “…of us”
Since the Saints are staying put that means Monday Night’s game against the Chargers will be played in the Superdome, but no fans for a third straight home game.

Tulane is in action tonight as they visit American Association rival Houston. It’s finally the season opener for the Cougars, who had five games either canceled or postponed because of COVID-related issues. The Green Wave are 2-1 and will start freshman Michael Pratt at Q-B, who has taken over for Keon Howard. Coach Willie Fritz says Pratt has had a good week of practice
cut 19 (11) “.last outing”

The 17th ranked LSU football team will leave Baton Rouge today for the Show Me State as they are set to play Missouri at 11 AM on Saturday. Coach Ed Orgeron says starting guard Ed Ingram is questionable, but starting tackle Dare Rosenthal could return after missing last Saturday’s game.

U-L Lafayette’s Saturday home game against Coastal Carolina has been postponed until Wednesday night.

ULM has a non-conference game against Liberty on Saturday at 11 AM. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator hopes the early start time will lead to better results for his team, who has yet to win a game this season…
cut 17 (14) “….as well”
The Liberty Flames are 3-and-0 and coached by former Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze.

And Louisiana Tech is still set to host UTEP at 6:30 at Joe Aillet Stadium.

10.08.20
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10:30 LRN Newscast October 8

Hurricane Delta is getting stronger and set to strike the southwestern coast of Louisiana on Friday as Calcasieu Parish is gearing up for another hurricane…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There are a couple of silver linings. The gulf waters are cooler near the coast and National Weather Service Meteorologist Ben Schott says the storm is moving quickly at 14 miles per hour…
cut 8 (08) “….through”

The House Education Committee heard from the family of Ka’Mauri Harrison yesterday as there’s a bill heading to the House floor that addresses his situation. Jefferson Parish schools suspended the fourth-grader for six days after he moved a BB gun during a virtual class. The legislation would create a protocol for disciplinary procedures related to online education. Ka’Mauri’s father Nyron Harrison…
cut 15 (10) “….ahead”

The state’s unemployment trust fund has no money left and Louisiana is now borrowing money from the federal government to pay fr unemployment checks. A hike in payroll taxes on businesses is needed to replenish the fund but Louisiana Workforce Commissioner Secretary Ava Dejoie says two weeks ago the governor issued an executive order suspending the solvency tax…
cut 5 (10) “…fund might occur”

10.08.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast October 8

Calcasieu Parish is still picking up the pieces from Hurricane Laura and now the area is bracing for Hurricane Delta, which is expected to make landfall in southwest Louisiana Friday afternoon or early evening. Parish President Tony Guillory says for the second time in 43 days they’ve called for a mandatory evacuation
Cut 10 (09) “…Calcasieu Parish”
Once Delta makes landfall, it’s expected to move northeast and the center of the storm could cross over Alexandria early Saturday morning and then into northeast Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says the National Guard is ready to respond….
cut 9 (11) “….standby”
A House committee has approved legislation inspired by the controversial punishment of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader who had a BB gun visible in his web camera during an online class. The legislation would create a protocol for disciplinary procedures for virtual education and offer some judicial review of certain disciplinary cases. Ka’Mauri Harrison’s father Nyron testified…
Cut 13 (08) “…children.”
The measure heads to the House floor.

The state’s unemployment trust fund is now out of money and Louisiana is borrowing cash from the feds to pay out unemployment benefits. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says since March 22nd, the state has paid out nearly seven-billion dollars in various forms of unemployment compensation over 400-thousand citizens…
cut 6 (13) “…lost wage assistance”

10.08.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast October 8

Louisiana is bracing for Hurricane Delta which will be the fourth named storm to hit the Boot this year. Landfall is expected in southwest Louisiana tomorrow afternoon or early evening. Governor John Bel Edwards says you have until tonight to get your affairs in order and hunker down, no matter where you are in south and central Louisiana.
Cut 7 (12) “ready”
For the second time in 43 days, Calcasieu Parish officials have called for a mandatory evacuation. Parish President Tony Guillory is concerned the unsecured debris leftover from Hurricane Laura and makeshift repairs will make the area more vulnerable to Delta’s damaging winds…
cut 11 (08) “….situation”

A House committee unanimously approves legislation aimed at preventing future scenarios like the one that almost got a Jefferson Parish fourth-grader expelled for moving a BB Gun during virtual instruction. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Because of Hurricane Delta, the pause button has been hit on the special session as lawmakers will not reconvene until at least Monday. The Saints thought about re-locating to Indianapolis, but they’ll stay in New Orleans. LSU has an unexpected road game at Missouri on Saturday and the Cajuns game against Coastal Carolina has been moved to Wednesday.

10.08.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast October 8

Hurricane Delta is a Category Two storm and is expected to become a Category 3 again before making landfall tomorrow in southwest Louisiana. Delta is expected to bring heavy rain and damaging winds to Louisiana’s coast.

Calcasieu Parish residents are bracing for another punch from a powerful storm….
cut 2 (32) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A hurricane warning is in effect for southwest Louisiana and into central Louisiana.

The state’s unemployment trust fund ran out of money yesterday, but Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says those receiving unemployment benefits will continue to receive them, but Louisiana is now borrowing federal dollars.
Cut 4 (09) “…operating procedures are.”
Employers fund the trust fund, so that means they could have to pay additional payroll taxes. But the governor and the state legislature are trying to address that issue.

The House Education Committee heard from the family of Ka’Mauri Harrison yesterday as there’s a bill heading to the House floor that addresses his situation. Jefferson Parish schools suspended the fourth-grader for six days after he moved a BB gun during a virtual class. The legislation would create a protocol for disciplinary procedures related to online education. Ka’Mauri’s father Nyron Harrison…
cut 15 (10) “….ahead”

10.08.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast October 8

The Saints are reportedly staying put. The franchise was considering evacuating to Indianapolis because of Hurricane Delta, but the Athletic reports the Black and Gold have decided to prepare for their Monday night matchup against the Chargers at their training facility in Metairie. That means the game will be played in the Superdome, but Mayor Latoya Cantrell has said no fans.

Because of Hurricane Delta, LSU will go on the road and visit Missouri for an 11 AM kickoff on Saturday. First-year Mizzou Coach Eliah Drinkwitz looks forward to the challenge of hosting the defending national champs…
cut 20 (15) “…playing”
LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says starting left guard Ed Ingram is questionable, but starting left tackle Dare Rosenthal could return after missing last week’s game.

The 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns will wait until Wednesday to host Coastal Carolina as Hurricane Delta has postponed Saturday’s game to the middle of next week. If Delta causes significant damage to Lafayette, the game could be moved to Conway, South Carolina.

ULM is at Liberty this Saturday as the Warhawks are still looking for that first win of the season. They face a team that’s yet to lose. The Flames are 3-and-0 and they’ve won five in a row dating back to last season. ULM Coach Matt Viator is impressed with Liberty Quarterback Malik Willis…
cut 16 (20) “…he’s a playmaker”
Kick-off in Lynchburg, Virginia is at 11 AM central time.

Tonight, Tulane is at Houston as the Cougars finally kick-off their season after seeing multiple games postponed or canceled because of COVID.

10.08.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast October 8

Hurricane Delta is barrelling down on southwest Louisiana at a remarkably fast pace. Matt Doyle has more on what that might mean for its Friday impact.
Cut 1 (27) “ I’m Matt Doyle”

For the second time in 43 days, Calcasieu Parish has issued an emergency evacuation order for its residents who are at the beginning stages of recovering from Hurricane Laura. Parish President Tony Guillory says for those who choose to stay, prepare to rough it for several days…
cut 12 (07) “…water”

The House Education Committee has approved a bill called the Ka Mauri Harrison Act. He’s the fourth-grader in Jefferson Parish who was suspended for six days after moving a BB gun during a virtual class. Harrison now has a weapons violation on his permanent record. Ka Mauri’s father explained to the committee what happened and Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds is flabbergasted…
cut 14 (10) “…birthday”
The measure, which would give families more options to appeal disciplinary decisions and requiring schools to write policies specifically for online learning, heads to the House floor for more discussion.

10.07.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast October 7

Instead of LSU hosting Missouri on Saturday night, the Fighting Tigers will travel to the Show Me State and play Missouri on their home field. Kick-off will be at 11 AM. Coach Ed Orgeron says the 11 AM kickoff will be a benefit, because a night game would have resulted in the team rolling back into Baton Rouge early Sunday morning…
Cut 7 (06) “…advantage for us.”

LSU’s Ail Gaye has become a force on defense as he leads the SEC in quarterback pressures. Gaye is a juco transfer and he didn’t think he would be a starter right away, but wants to be one of the best defensive lineman in the country…
cut 19 (24) “….a teammate”

The Saints are looking at possibly relocating to Indianapolis before Hurricane Delta arrives. New Orleans next game is Monday night at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. That game would be played in Indy as well if the Saints evacuate to the Midwest.

The Ragin Cajuns are back in the Top 25 AP and coaches polls, even though they didn’t play last Saturday. They come in at number 23 as they get ready to face Coastal Carolina on Saturday. Coach Billy Napier says hopefully the ranking motivates his players to perform at a higher level
cut 16 (24) “…keep winning.”
Still no word on the status of Saturday’s game.

10.07.20
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LRN PM Newscall October 7

Rain and storm surge predictions for Hurricane Delta don’t look too severe, but we could see heavy wind damage deep inland. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

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There was a tense moment in a Committee hearing about legislation that would grant immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency. Brooke Thorington has the story…

cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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Most of the Louisiana coast is now under a Hurricane Watch as Delta is on track to make landfall in the state sometime Friday, and potentially as a category three hurricane. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the most likely point of impact right now appears to be somewhere in St. Mary, Iberia, or Vermillion Parishes.

Cut 3 (07)  “…center.”  

Delta is currently crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.

Keim says Delta is currently only forecasted to bring about four to eight inches of rain to the state…

Cut 4 (07) “like that”

The NWS storm surge forecast calls for seven to eleven feet of surge from Pecan Island to Port Fourchon, and four feet of surge elsewhere along the coast.

Keim says Delta’s biggest threat at the moment appears to be its potential to bring some heavy wind damage deep inland…

Cut 5 (09) “…Alexandria.”

Delta will be only the third named storm to hit the state in October since 1851.

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Hurricane Delta forces the relocation of this Saturday’s Missouri-LSU game.  Instead of taking place at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will be heading to Columbia, Missouri.  LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the team is adapting to the last-minute shakeup.

Cut 6 (09) “…practice in Missouri.”

The game was originally set for Saturday night, but with the change in venue comes a change in kickoff time. Orgeron says the 11 AM kickoff will be a benefit, because a night game would have resulted in the team rolling back into Baton Rouge extremely early Sunday morning…

Cut 7 (06) “…advantage for us.”

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Legislation granting criminal and civil immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency clears a House committee.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his bill is in response to the state’s ban on in-person church services early in the pandemic…

Cut 8 (10)..and well.”

Central Pastor Tony Spell testified at the committee. He says Central police had no right to arrest him for continuing in-person services in spite of the state ban.

Cut 9 (12) “…Governor.”

Spell was challenged by Chairman Ted James who contested the accusation, citing the Governor’s record.

The legislation also aims to retroactively void charges like those against Pastor Spell, but James says even if this is signed into law it can’t be applied to past cases.

Cut 10 (06) “…retroactive.”

The bill heads next to the House where a series of efforts restricting or overturning the Governor’s public health orders have passed.

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It was just over a month ago that Rapides Parish was roughed up by Hurricane Laura and now the area is in the track of Hurricane Delta.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says the area has a feeling of exhaustion in seeing they may get a second round with the 2020 hurricane season.

Cut 11 (09) “…getting really absurd.”

Carnline says deputies are already preparing to clear the roads for utility restoration teams as well as first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

Carnline says the message to residents is to prepare now.  Make sure to have the supplies needed to be self-sustainable for three days and tank up at the gas station now in the event power is lost later.

Cut 13 (11) “…days and food.”