Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.23.20
by

1:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins officially qualifies to challenge Senator Bill Cassidy. Perkins, a Democrat says his decision to run rose from the concerns he has about how Congress is handling the coronavirus pandemic and this moment calls for strong, decisive leadership in DC.
Cut 3 (11) “…to happen again.”
The primary is November third.

Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says they are purchasing new equipment in order to get coronavirus test results back faster to patients…
cut 13 (10) “….15 minutes”
Many people are waiting several days to get their test results back. Today, the state health department reported 24-hundred new cases, bringing the state’s total to 101-thousand.

The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression heading towards Texas has the potential to produce heavy rains in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the potential tropical storm could produce about an inch of rain for central Louisiana through Monday, two to four inches along the I-10 corridor and four inches along the coast…
Cut 8 (09) “…umbrella’s handy”
The forecast calls for the depression to strengthen into a tropical storm tomorrow morning and make landfall on Saturday between Houston and Brownsville, Texas.

In an open letter to parents and student-athletes, LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says there are no plans to cancel fall sports and they are committed to a safe start for fall sports…
cut 10 (12) “…format”
Bonine has said the state needs to move beyond Phase 3 of its reopening in order for high school football games to be played.

07.23.20
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Pelicans had an easy time cutting down the Brooklyn Nets last night in their first scrimmage since entering the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in 11 minutes in a 99-68 win. Zion Williamson did not play as he remains away from the team attending an urgent family matter. The Pels say Williamson has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 and does plan on rejoining the team, but there’s no timetable for his return.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports, unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports…
cut 9 (12) “…safe manner”
Bonine also says in the letter that the LHSAA will adhere to all standards set forth recently by the state legislature and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they are planning to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled. Burnett says they expect a full slate of games will be played on Labor Day weekend. Burnett says university presidents and athletic directors continue to meet and the health and safety of the student-athletes is their top priority…
Cut 18 (15) “…looking at that”

Earlier this week, the SWAC decided to move its football season to the spring. That left Louisiana Tech without an opponent for its home opener as they were set to play Prairie View A-and-M. The Bulldogs have announced they will play Southland member Houston Baptist instead.

The Sun Belt announced today that the start of the fall sports season has been postponed until September 3rd. The league says the delay will give schools more time to implement protocols for a safe return to competition.

07.23.20
by

11:30 LRN Newscast July 23

In a statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, 76-percent of the state’s residents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent say the public health emergency in Louisiana should not be canceled. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Remington Research Group surveyed 36-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 17 (09) “…board”

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is at the Secretary of State’s office qualifying to run against U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in the November third primary. It was unknown if Cassidy would face a serious challenger. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins’ entry is good for voters…
cut 30 (08) “….of issues”

A tropical depression in the gulf that’s headed for Texas is expected to dump a lot of rain on south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the soon-to-be Tropical Storm Hannah will make for a wet next few days.
Cut 6 (06) “…days”
The National Hurricane Center projects the depression will strengthen into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours and make landfall Saturday between Houston and Brownsville, Texas.

Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive director Eddie Bonine has sent a letter to parents and student-athletes letting them know they have no intention of canceling fall sports unless the pandemic dictates it’s not safe to play. Bonine says they are committed to conducting fall sports…
cut 9 (12) “…safe manner”

07.23.20
by

9:30 LRN Newscasts

A statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has found that 76-percent of the respondents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent oppose canceling the state’s public health emergency declaration. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s blow to a Republican-led effort to revoke the governor’s coronavirus order….
cut 16 (11) “…seriousness”

U-S Senator Bill Cassidy will face a serious challenger in his re-election bid as Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially enter the race today when he files his paperwork at the Secretary of State’s Office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins enters the race as an underdog…
cut 5 (12) “…uphill climb”
The election is November third.

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday. Kevin Barnhart has more from the Secretary of State’s Office…
Cut 2 (44) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards will give a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30. The state is expected to surpass 100-thousand total coronavirus cases today.

07.23.20
by

8:30 LRN Newscast July 23

A tropical depression moving south of Louisiana is expected to bring the Bayou State a lot of rain over the next few days. The system is expected to make landfall in Texas on Saturday, but two to four inches and possibly six inches of rain is expected to fall across south Louisiana through Monday…
cut 14 (07) “….moisture”
National Weather Service Forecaster Donald Williams says the system could be a tropical storm when it makes landfall in Texas on Saturday.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is scheduled to qualify at the Secretary of State’s office today to run against U-S Senator Bill Cassidy in the November third election. We were not sure if a major Democratic challenger would run. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Perkins’ entry into the race is good for voters…
cut 6 (08) “….of issues”

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday, looking to fill the position currently held by Ralph Abraham who is not seeking reelection. Among them is Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, who says his campaign will not just run on the record and accomplishments of Abraham…
Cut 7 (09) “…sector as well.”
Scotty Robinson, Matt Hasty, Lance Harris and Allen Guillory are the other Republicans who have qualified. Two Democrats have qualified, including the Chief Operating Officer at Grambling State, Martin Lemelle Junior…
cut 10 (09) “….through technology”
Small business owner Candy Christophe of Alexandria has also qualified for the race. Qualifying ends at 4:30 tomorrow.

07.23.20
by

7:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially qualify for the US Senate race today, challenging Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tropical Depression eight is moving through the central Gulf of Mexico heading towards Texas. Donald Williams with the National Weather Service says the system is not expected to develop into a hurricane and at most may become a weak tropical storm…
cut 13 (06) “….organized”
The system is expected to bring rain to south Louisiana.

Seven candidates have filed their paperwork at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge seeking to replace Ralph Abraham as Louisiana’s fifth district congressman. Republican Lance Harris is looking to jump from the state legislature to the U-S House of Representatives. Harris is a businessman from Alexandria..
cut 11 (09) “….create jobs”
Harris is one of five Republicans to qualify. The others are Allen Guillory, Matt Hasty, Luke Letlow and Scotty Robinson. Two Democrats have qualified. Clinical social worker Candy Christophe is also from Alexandria and she’s entered the race to create change…
cut 9 (10) “….want to see”
The other Democrat in the race is Martin Lemelle of Ruston. Qualifying ends tomorrow at 4:30.

07.23.20
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast July 23

The Pelicans had a successful return to the court last night in the Walt Disney World Bubble, beating Brooklyn 99-68 in a scrimmage game. Brandon Ingram had 12 points in eleven minutes and hit three three-pointers. New Orleans made 13 three-pointers as a team. E-Twaun Moore had 14 points and hit two three-pointers and Nickeil Alexander-Walker also had 14 points. The Pels also provided an update on rookie Zion Williamson, who has been away from the team for a week to attend to an urgent family matter. The franchise says Williamson fully intends to rejoin the team, but there’s no timetable on his return. Also, Zion is getting tested daily for COVID-19.

The NFL says if there are fans allowed inside stadiums this year, they will be required to wear masks. The Saints have not made a determination on whether fans will be allowed in the Superdome.

The Southland Conference is planning for its football season to begin on time, but obviously they are monitoring the situation as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas. Commissioner Tom Burnett also did not rule out the possibility of fans at games…
cut 19 (17) “…their states”
The Southland also released its preseason poll. Central Arkansas is the preseason favorite. Nicholls is picked to finish third, Southeastern Louisiana fourth, McNeese fifth, and Northwestern State tenth place.

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine has written an open letter to parents telling them that there are no plans to cancel fall sports unless schools are closed for the pandemic like they were last spring.

07.23.20
by

6:30 LRN Newscast July 23

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will challenge Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Before he got into politics, Perkins served in the Army and is a former student body president at West Point and Harvard. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy can not underestimate Perkins.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…to campaign”
Perkins will file his official paperwork at the Secretary of State’s Office at 11 AM.

Tropical Depression eight has formed in the central Gulf and it could dump rain on south Louisiana on its way to Texas. National Weather Service forecaster Donald Williams…
Cut 12 (13) “…state”
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast says the depression will develop into a Tropical Storm tomorrow.

In a statewide poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, 76-percent of the state’s residents support the governor’s mask mandate and 61-percent say the public health emergency in Louisiana should not be canceled. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Remington Research Group surveyed 36-hundred Louisiana residents…
cut 17 (09) “…board”
Schexnayder opposes an effort by a group of Republican lawmakers to revoke the governor’s coronavirus emergency order.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold another COVID-19 briefing today at 2:30. The state reproted an addition 60 deaths yesterday. The highest one day total since May 1st.

07.23.20
by

Updated LRN AM Newscall ###corrects name on cut 11 and updates weather story###

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will officially qualify for the US Senate race today, challenging incumbent Bill Cassidy.  Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday. Kevin Barnhart recaps some of those that got on the ballot.

Cut 2 (44) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

A poll of 3,600 Louisianans shows bipartisan support for the statewide mask mandate and the public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

______________________________

Democratic Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will challenge Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Before he got into politics, Perkins served in the Army and is a former student body president at West Point and Harvard. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Cassidy can not underestimate Perkins.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…to campaign”

Perkins says Washington’s poor handling of the coronavirus outbreak persuaded him to jump into the Senate race. Pinsonat says Perkins is a qualified candidate, but running as a Democrat for a statewide office is a challenge in the Bayou State.

Cut 5 (12)  “…uphill climb.”

Perkins announced his candidacy on the first day of qualifying and he’s expected to file his paper with the Secretary of State’s office today. It was unknown if Democrats would have a serious challenger. Pinsonat says Perkins entry into the race is good for voters.

Cut 6 (08) “…of issues.”

Qualifying ends on Friday.

_________________________

Seven candidates for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat qualified on Wednesday, looking to fill the position currently held by Ralph Abraham who is not pursuing an additional term.  Among them is Abraham’s Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, who says his campaign will not only run on the record and accomplishments of the current administration…

Cut 7 (09) “…sector as well.”

Republican Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson announced his bid for the position last November and says the traits he has picked up in local government and constituent accessibility are what set him apart from his opponents.

Cut 8 (09) “…call me anytime.”

Clinical social worker, addiction counselor, and small business owner Candy Christophe lives in Alexandria and is running as a Democrat and says she’s in the race because now is the time for her to be the change that she wants to see.

Cut 9 (10) “…want to see.”

Chief Operating Officer of Grambling State University Martin Lemelle of Ruston enters the race as a Democrat with a focus on education and helping local small businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Cut 10 (09) “…through technology.”

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, a Republican, says he sees a bunch of career politicians in DC and touts his balance of holding elected office and being a business owner as the reason voters should cast a ballot for him.

Cut 11 (09) “…and create jobs.”

Additionally, Allen Guillory of Opelousas and Matt Hasty of Pineville, both Republican, qualified on Wednesday.  The primary election is scheduled for November 3rd.

___________________________

Tropical Depression eight has formed in the central Gulf and it could dump a good bit of rain on the southern portion of the state on its way to Texas. National Weather Service forecaster Donald Williams…

Cut 12 (13) “…state” 

Parts of Louisiana could see some impacts as soon as this afternoon.

Williams says the system is not expected to develop into a hurricane, and at most may become a weak tropical storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…coast” 

Williams says there’s a chance the depression produces some localized flooding in Louisiana but they are not projecting any wide-scale flooding events.

Cut 14 (07) “…moisture.”

_____________________________

A Remington Research Group poll commissioned by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder shows wide and bipartisan support for the Governor’s mask mandate and public health emergency declaration.

76 percent of those surveyed last weekend support a government mask mandate. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 15 (08) “…result.” 

57 percent of respondents agreed with the way the state government has handled the pandemic so far, only 26 percent disapproved.

61 percent of Louisianans oppose canceling the public health emergency declaration while only 22 percent agree. Cross says that’s a blow to legislative efforts to accomplish that.

Cut 16 (11) “…seriousness.” 

The 3,600 person poll is comprehensive and tightly follows demographic and political affiliation according to census data. Cross says that gives it a margin of error of only two percent…

Cut 17  (09) “…board” 

________________________________________________

Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett says they are planning to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled. Burnett says they expect a full slate of games will be played on Labor Day weekend. Burnett says university presidents and athletic directors continue to meet and the health and safety of the student-athletes is their top priority…

Cut 18  (15) “…looking at that”   

Burnett says how the pandemic is impacting cities where their schools are located is an important factor on whether the season can start on time. He says the conference will not have a policy on whether fans can attend football games

cut 19 (17) “…their state”  

The SWAC’s decision to move its football to the spring has created wholes in the schedule for some of their teams. Burnett says those schools are looking to replace those games…

cut 20 (22) “  lies”  

07.22.20
by

4:45 LRN Sportscasts July 22nd

The Pelicans face the Brooklyn Nets in a scrimmage game tonight inside the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. Zion Williamson will not play as he remains away from the team attending an urgent family matter. But we finally got an update today on the rookie forward. The Pels says there is no current timetable for his return to campus, but he fully intends to rejoin the team. Team officials say Williamson is getting tested daily for COVID-19 while he’s away. Per NBA protocol, his quarantine period will be determined upon his return.

The NFL Players Association has reportedly accepted the league’s offer to scrap preseason games this year, so that players can have more time to get themselves prepared before they play in a game. Also, roster sizes for training camp are expected to be limited to 80 players, instead of 90. And the NFL said today that if fans are allowed inside stadiums this year, they’ll be required to wear masks.

Central Arkansas has been picked to win the Southland Conference in a poll of the league’s head football coaches and sports information directors. The Bears have a league-high 13 preseason all-conference players. They shared the conference crown with Nicholls last year. The Colonels are picked to finish third behind Sam Houston State. Southeastern Louisiana is picked to finish fourth, McNeese fifth, and Northwestern State in 10th place. Commissioner Tom Burnett said today they plan to proceed with the upcoming football season as scheduled.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is also planning on a football season in the fall. Orgeron said on a Baton Rouge radio show that running back John Emery is the likely candidate to return kicks, replacing Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin, safety Jacoby Stevens, and cornerback Derek Stingley are on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The award goes to the Defensive Player of the Year award.