Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.16.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Guard Jrue Holiday has been a leader for the Pelicans and he’s also a leader in the social justice movement. Holiday and his wife Lauren have created the Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund. Holiday says he’s using the rest of his salary for this season, an estimated five-point-three-million dollars to start the fund. He says the money will benefit the black communities in New Orleans, Indiana and his hometown of Los Angeles.

A five-star high school basketball prospect has committed to Memphis over LSU. At one time six-foot-ten Moussa Cisse was a strong lean to LSU, but the nation’s second-rated center has decided he’d rather play for the Tigers in Memphis. Despite missing out on Cisse, LSU’s incoming recruiting class is ranked as the sixth-best in the country.

LSU men’s basketball also has to find another non-conference opponent. That’s because the Tigers were scheduled to play Yale on November 21st, but Ivy League schools are not competing in sports during the fall semester.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13th, but if the game is played there will be no fans in the stands. Philadelphia city officials are not allowing any fans to attend professional sporting events this year because of COVID-19.

Central Arkansas leads the Southland Conference with the most players on the Southland Conference preseason all-conference teams. The Bears have 13 players on the first and second teams. The two-time defending champion Nicholls State has eight players on the Preseason All-Southland Team. Five of the selections were on the first team, including running back Julien Gums, wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon, safety Kevin Moore the third and offensive linemen P-J Burkhalter and Jair Joseph. Southeastern Louisiana has two first-team selections, linebacker Alexis Ramos and defensive back Ferlando Jordan.

Ragin Cajuns running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas are on the Doak Walker Preseason Watch List, which goes to the nation’s top running back. Louisiana Tech’s Justin Henderson is also on that list.

07.16.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that says Governor John Bel Edwards’ statewide mask mandate, order to close bars and limit on group gatherings is likely unconstitutional. Landry says law enforcement should use extreme caution when enforcing these orders, but Edwards says there’s no question the law is on his side…
cut 7 (10) “…the constitution”
Edwards also pointed out Vice President Mike Pence has publicly supported the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Stephen Handwerk is stepping down from his leadership position with the Louisiana Democratic Party. Handwerk is the longest-serving executive director for the party…
cut 13 (09) “….done my time”
Handwerk will depart at the end of August.

Consumers are planning to spend a record amount on back to school shopping. Brooke Thorington has more on a National Retail Federation study…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Because the Louisiana Department of Revenue experienced website issues yesterday, the state’s tax filing deadline has been extended until tomorrow.

07.15.20
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday says he’s donating the rest of his game checks for this season to create a social justice fund that will benefit communities in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Indianapolis. Holiday is due an estimated five million dollars and the veteran said on ESPN’s “The Jump” that it was his wife who came up with the idea. Holiday also says the Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund will support Black colleges and universities.

The Saints are scheduled to play the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13th, but if the game is played there will be no fans in the stands. Philadelphia city officials are not allowing any fans to attend professional sporting events this year because of COVID-19.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will play under the franchise tag in 2020 as Dallas and Prescott did not agree to a longterm deal before this afternoon’s deadline. Prescott will make 31-million dollars if there are 16 games this season.

Ruston High running back Ke’Travion Bull Hargrove has de-committed from the Bulldogs. Hargrove committed to La Tech over two months ago, but since then he’s received offers from Power Five schools like South Carolina, Florida State, and Penn State.

The two-time defending champion Nicholls State football team has eight players on the 2020 Preseason All-Southland Team. Five of the selections were on the first team, including running back Julien Gums, wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon, safety Kevin Moore the third and offensive linemen P-J Burkhalter and Jair Joseph. McNeese wide receiver Cyron Sutton also made the first team. Southeastern Louisiana has two first-team selections, linebacker Alexis Ramos and defensive back Ferlando Jordan. Northwestern State linebacker Ja’Quay Pough is also on the first team.

Ragin Cajuns running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Ragas are on the Doak Walker Preseason Watch List, which goes to the nation’s top running back. Louisiana Tech’s Justin Henderson is also on that list.

07.15.20
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LRN PM Newscall July 15

BESE formally adopts a list of minimum safety standard recommendations like mandatory face coverings and busing policy for schools to implement before classes begin. Matt Doyle covered the meeting…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Attorney General Jeff Landry issues a legal opinion that says Governor  Edwards order that requires maks, closes bars and limits crowd sizes is likely unconstitutional and unenforceable. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopts a list of minimum safety standards that schools will be called on to implement to reopen safely. The recommendations range from mandatory face coverings to group size maximums. Children’s Hospital Chief Quality Officer Dr. Leron Finger says if schools follow these rules…

Cut 3 (11)  “…to school.”  

The recommendations also require teachers to be provided with hygienic supplies, limits on bus capacity, COVID symptom monitoring, and the recommendations could expand or shrink depending on what happens with the virus.

Parents, teachers unions, and even a board member raised concerns about whether physical classes should resume, but Ochsner Pediatrics Chair Dr. William Lennarz says current data suggests the risk is low.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…sick”

BESE has no enforcement power to make districts follow the guidelines, but State Superintendent Cade Brumley says districts that choose not to would lose liability protection against COVID civil lawsuits.

Some spoke out against the recommendations, including Tangipahoa Parish School Board Member Brett Duncan who says he supports many of the standards, but…

Cut 5 (10)  “…skills.”

Several school districts have already decided to delay the start of school.

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue says a state computer network connectivity problem created issues earlier today with the website where front-line workers can apply for a 250-dollar “hazard pay” check. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the Office of Technology Services noticed the problem this morning…

Cut 6 (08) “…connectivity issues”

At around 2:00 this afternoon the web page was back up and accepting applications.

Frontlineworkers.la.gov began accepting applications at midnight and by seven AM they accepted more than 14-thousand applications. Robinson says they have funding available for 200-thousand applicants…

Cut 7 (07) “October 31st”

Robinson says the technical issue is also impacting those who are trying to file their state income taxes on the Lousiana Taxpayer Access Point portal, which is why they’ve pushed the state tax deadline to file taxes to Friday. The secretary hopes the technical issues have been resolved.

Cut 8 (05) “…this morning”

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Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally two people and left a third-person fighting for her life at a home in Westlake. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says his deputies were called to the home around 4AM after 51-year-old Neil Broussard fled the scene.

Cut 9 (11) “…shot multiple times.”

One of the deceased has been identified as 17-year-old Kyla Hidalgo and the 18-year-old male victim has not been named.  The third victim, 40-year-old Catherine Hidalgo was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized.

Broussard, who authorities call a family acquaintance, is also accused of stealing Catherine’s car and kidnapping her 14-year-old daughter.

Mancuso says the agency is currently searching a wooded area in Beauregard Parish with the help from the FBI, State Police, and other agencies.

Cut 10 (10) “…safe, thank goodness.”

Mancuso says if anyone knows the whereabouts of Broussard, they should call 911 and not attempt to approach him as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Cut 11 (10) “…as of yet.”

Broussard was previously convicted of molestation of a juvenile, one count in 2005 and two counts in 2011.

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state has surpassed one million COVID-19 tests administered to residents since March. Edwards says Louisiana is testing at one of the highest levels of any state

Cut 12 (10) “…as well.”

The state reported two-thousand new coronavirus cases today, bringing the total to 84-thousand. The death toll also increased by 14 to 3,351.

The governor says testing, contact tracing, and reasonable regulations like mask wearing for people eight and older while in public can reduce the spread of the coronavirus…

Cut 13 (09) “…the masks.” 

A statewide mask mandate went into effect Monday and bars are also closed, except for curbside pickup. White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx says you should not have large gatherings at your house either…

Cut 14 (06) “…you have”

07.15.20
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11:30 LRN Newscast July 15

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved minimum safety standards for the reopening of public schools. They include social distancing guidelines and a face mask requirement. Matt Doyle reports schools that refuse to follow the recommendations could get sued…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Retail giant Walmart says they will begin requiring shoppers to wear masks in order to enter their stores starting next Monday. Walmart says they will have an employee at the front door enforcing the face mask policy.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says they are having network connectivity issues with the website where front-line workers can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the state Office of Technology Services is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible…
Cut 6 (08) “…connectivity issues”
Frontlineworkers.la.gov began accepting applications at midnight and by seven AM they accepted more than 14-thousand applications.

Coach Ed Orgeron was part of the roundtable discussion that involved Vice President Mike Pence and Governor John Bel Edwards at LSU’s Tiger Stadium yesterday. Orgeron said its important to have football this year and Pence agrees…
cut 13 (12) “…love football”
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has said the league will make a decision in late July on what may occur with the football season.

07.15.20
by

10:30 LRN Newscast

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved a set of health rules for public schools to safely reopen and they call for masks inside the classroom. There is a new state law protecting schools from COVID-related suits, but State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says protection can be lost if they do not follow BESE’s guidelines.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…ability.”
The adopted minimum safety standard approved by BESE calls for every adult and students in grades 3 through 12 wearing a face covering to the greatest extent possible and practical.

Not everyone is happy about the face mask requirement. Louisiana parent Melissa Berry says masks are a hindrance to education.
Cut 5 (09) “…taught.”

Front line workers who make less than 50-thousand dollars and were required to show up to work during the first couple of months of the pandemic are eligible for a 250-dollar hazard pay check. If you think you are eligible, you can apply at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…
cut 9 (07) “…paper check issued”
Robinson says eligible workers can expect to receive a $250 check in two to three weeks after their application is approved.

A heat advisory is in effect once again for the northern half of the state as heat index values will range between 105 to 110 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 14 (09) “….particularly heat sensitive”
Not as hot in south Louisiana today as there’s a better chance for temperature cooling thunderstorms.

07.15.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast July 15

Eligible Louisiana frontline workers can apply for a $250 COVID-19 hazard paycheck beginning today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Law enforcement in south Louisiana is searching for a double homicide suspect. Authorities say 51-year-old Neil Broussard of Lake Charles killed two people in Westlake and kidnapped a 14-year-old year girl, who has been found safe. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office believes Broussard is driving a black Hyundai Elantra.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the minimum health and safety standards schools need to have in place to reopen safely. There are restrictions on group sizes and school bus capacity. COVID-19 symptom monitoring, students washing hands regularly and face coverings for students in third through 12th grade. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says these measures are needed…
cut 6 (13) “….closures”
During a meeting at LSU with Vice President Mike Pence, Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise said we’ve got to get kids back in schools…
cut 12 (12) “….in school”

07.15.20
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8:30 LRN newscast July 15

Vice President Mike Pence continued to hammer the fact that kids need to be back in the classroom on schedule for the fall semester during Tuesday’s visit to Baton Rouge
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

And the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has adopted minimum health and safety standards for the reopening of public schools. Class sizes are limited to no more than 25 people in a room in phase two, daily COVID-19 symptom monitoring checks should take place and face coverings are required for adults and students in grades three through 12.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says front line workers who were required to show up at their job during the first few weeks of the pandemic can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck today. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says applicants can visit front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov to submit a payment request
Cut 7 (12) “…did the work.”
Robinson says eligible workers can expect to receive the check-in two to three weeks after their application is approved. Individuals who make more than 50-thousand dollars a year are not eligible.

The extreme heat relents a bit in south Louisiana today, but the northern half of the state is still under a heat advisory. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are weeks away from any real relief…
cut 16 (07) “…smart about it”

07.15.20
by

7:30 LRN Newscast July 15

On a day when Louisiana reported 22-hundred more coronavirus cases, Vice President Mike Pence expressed confidence the state will slow the spread of the virus. Pence encouraged Louisiana residents to listen to the guidance from state officials and that means wearing a mask in public…
Cut 10 (08) “…do it again.”
The state is reporting 1,362 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. That’s the highest the number has been since May 7th.

Grocery store clerks, bus drivers, garbage collectors, and nurses who were required to work during the first couple months of the pandemic can now apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…
cut 8 (11) “…prior year”
To apply go to front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved a set of health rules for public schools to safely reopen and they call for masks inside the classroom. There is a new state law protecting schools from COVID-related suits, but State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says protection can be lost if they do not follow BESE’s guidelines.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…ability.”
The adopted minimum safety standard approved by BESE calls for every adult and students in grades 3 through 12 wearing a face covering to the greatest extent possible and practical.

A heat advisory is in effect once again for the northern half of the state as heat index values will range between 105 to 110 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 14 (09) “….particularly heat sensitive”

07.15.20
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron was part of the roundtable discussion that involved Vice President Mike Pence, U-S Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Governor John Bel Edwards at LSU’s Tiger Stadium yesterday. Orgeron told the group that included higher ed leaders that we need football and Pence agrees with that sentiment…
cut 13 (12) “…love football”
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey has said that the league will make a decision in late July on what may occur with the football season. Sankey is concerned about the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The S-E-C has decided to postpone all athletic events for volleyball, soccer, and cross country until at least September 1st. The A-C-C made a similar decision last week.

Former LSU Tiger linebacker Marcel Brooks is reportedly transferring to T-C-U. Brooks contributed to the Tigers national championship as a freshman recording eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in limited playing time. Brooks reportedly expressed a desire to play at a school closer to his home.

Louisiana Tech football has resumed its offseason workouts. They were suspended last week when a second player tested positive for COVID-19. A Tech spokesperson said the school wanted to be overly cautious.

Meanwhile, Ruston High running back Ke’Travion Bull Hargrove has de-committed from the Bulldogs. Hargrove committed to La Tech over two months ago, but since then he’s received offers from Power Five schools like South Carolina, Florida State, and Penn State.

Longtime Ragin Cajuns baseball coach Tony Robichaux will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association of Hall of Fame in January. The class also includes former Southern Coach Roger Cador and former Rice Coach Wayne Graham.