Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

04.30.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast April 30

There’s talk of the legislative session resuming next week. The main priority would be passing a budget for the next fiscal year. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they’ve been told to brace for at least a 500-million dollar budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, but federal dollars could help soften the blow…
cut 11 (12) “…weather”
Moody’s Analytics paints a much more bleak picture in Louisiana, estimating a budget shortfall of 34-percent.

Will shopping malls survive the economic shutdown? LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says enclosed malls are most at-risk for permanent closure…
cut 5 (10) “….restrictions are lifted’

Eating on a patio outside of a restaurant will be allowed under the new stay at home order that will go into effect Friday, but indoor dining will not be allowed until at least May 16th. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says restaurants are facing several challenges, ranging from chain disruptions in the meat industry and staffing questions…
cut 9 (11) “…operate”
The Governor has suggested he could implement Phase One, allowing restaurants to open at 25% capacity, by mid-May.

Wounded Baton Rouge Police Corporal Derrick Maglone continues to make a remarkable recovery after getting shot in the head area twice by a homicide suspect on Sunday. Former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson is Maglone’s uncle and he says his nephew is feeding off the support he’s receiving…
cut 15 (11) “…allowing that”

04.30.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast April 30

After starting 70-games in his five-year NFL career, Jameis Winston is now a back-up quarterback with the New Orleans Saints. The former number one pick says it’s wise for him to spend a season learning from head coach Sean Payton and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees
Cut 16 (17) “…of men”
Winston led the N-F-L in passing yards last season, but he also led the league in interceptions. The 26-year-old had knee surgery in the offseason to repair a torn meniscus, also had LASIK surgery, and Winston says he’s dropped some weight thanks to a mostly vegan diet.

ESPN’s fantasy football league will allow players to select Taysom Hill as a tight end or flex player. He’s previously been designated as a quarterback.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not taking a salary during the coronavirus pandemic. Goodell makes over 30-million dollars a year and sources say it was his decision to not take a salary. Other top executives are taking a pay cut between 5 to 15-percent. And some workers in the league office could also be furloughed.

The NCAA has announced it supports the idea of student-athletes making money on their names, images, and likenesses. The exact wording of the rules will be finalized by October 30th and a formal vote will occur in January 2021. The proposal would allow college athletes to secure sponsorship deals, but they can not use their schools’ logos or markings. Agents can be hired to help secure marketing deals.

NBA will allow teams to reopen facilities on May 8th, but the stay at home order in Louisiana has been extended until May 15th. The Advocate reports the Pelicans’ practice facility in Metairie will remain closed through at least May 15th. And the NBA is reportedly considering playing games at Walt Disney World in Orlando if the league is able to resume the regular season.

04.30.20
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6:30 LRN newscast

There’s good and bad news when it comes to the state’s finances. First the good news, House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says mid-year budget cuts are not expected this fiscal year, but they could be looking at a 500-million dollar budget shortfall next fiscal year…
cut 10 (10) “…revenue”
The Revenue Estimating Conference is scheduled to meet in mid-May which will direct lawmakers on how much they’ll need to cut to pass a balanced budget for the fiscal year that begins to July.

Baton Rouge Police Corporal Derrick Maglone, who was critically injured in a shooting last Sunday that left another police officer dead, continues to make progress every day. Former State Police Superintendent, Mike Edmonson, who is Maglone’s uncle, says his nonverbal communication has meant the most to the family…
cut 14 (12) “….knees were wobbling”

Shopping malls face a major hurdle in resurgence following the coronavirus pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

04.29.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

ESPN has learned that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not taking a salary during the coronavirus pandemic. That’s according to an email sent by Steelers owner Art Rooney the Second to the other owners. Other top executives are taking a pay cut between 5 to 15-percent. Some workers in the league office are also being furloughed.

New Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston is taking a pay cut to play for the Black and Gold. Last year the former number one pick made 21-million dollars with the Buccaneers. But Winston’s one-year deal with the Saints will reportedly pay him one-point-one million dollars, but he can make three-point-four million dollars if he reaches certain incentives. Winston said in a Zoom call with reporters today that he’s excited to have the opportunity to learn from a Hall of Fame quarterback, instead of trying to learn by himself or using Google.

Amazon has renewed its streaming deal for Thursday night football games through 2022. Part of the deal gives exclusive rights for Amazon to air a late regular season game on a Saturday.

The NCAA Announced today that it supports the idea of allowing student athletes to make money from endorsement deals starting with the 2021-22 school year. The exact writing of the rules will be finalized by October 31st and the NCAAs three divisions would then vote by January 31st, 2021. But the proposal says players can not be shown in their uniforms or school markings when endorsing a company or product. Which means there will be no return of the E-A Sports “NCAA Football” video game.

College baseball players anticipating a Major League Baseball draft have been told it will be held in June. There was talk of pushing it back to July. But M-L-B will hold a virtual draft and it might only be five rounds or maybe ten rounds.

For college baseball players looking to make up for lost time this season. The Cape Cod League, which features some of the top college baseball players in the country, will not have a summer season this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the first time since 1946 that the Cape has not had a season.

04.29.20
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LRN PM Newscall April 29

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, 43 percent of shoppers are participating in comfort buying during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Republican lawmakers are looking to revoke Governor John Bel Edwards emergency declaration that would revoke the state’s stay at home order. Jeff Palermo has the story..

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves predicts many of the restaurant industry changes made due to the coronavirus outbreak will stick around long after the virus fades.

Graves says the industry is notorious for having workers come in even when sick, and that’s unlikely to be the case going forward. He also pointed to additions like sneeze guards in drive-throughs…

Cut 3 (06)  “…members”   

Graves adds sanitation and food safety practices implemented during this time are also likely to be maintained due to public demand.

Restaurant dining rooms are closed and takeout orders are now booming. Graves says once the tables open back up he expects many customers will keep these new habits…

Cut 4 (08)_ “…buisness.”

Graves says Cane’s is back to full projected sales but many restaurant owners he talks to who don’t have a drive-through are at about 50 percent. He says long-term the biggest fear is…

Cut 5 (07)  “…recession.”

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

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About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub.  While some overspending may be attributed to stockpiling essentials, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says many shoppers are “comfort-buying” online.

Cut 6 (09) “…to social isolation.”

Of those who have engaged in comfort buying, 63 percent are keeping their purchases below $150.  Around 60 percent of people aged 30-44 report comfort buying compared to just 32 percent over the age of 59.

Gonzales says in terms of the non-essential purchases, most of it is related to entertainment.

Cut 7 (13) “…people buying toys.”

Gonzales says deliveries are causing anxiety for shoppers.

Cut 8 (11) “…this time too.”

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Republican lawmakers who are upset with Governor Edwards extending the stay at home order until May 15th are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says state law allows lawmakers to revoke a governor’s disaster order if a majority of the House or Senate agree to a written petition

Cut 9 (09) “…do this.″

Seabaugh believes they can get 53 lawmakers in the House to sign the petition since there are 69 Republicans in the lower chamber. He says Edwards could not veto and the petition can prevent the governor from issuing an even more restrictive order for the next 60 days

Cut 10 (07) “…be over”

The governor’s executive counsel has sent a letter to legislative leadership informing them that rescinding the governor’s order would threaten billions of dollars in federal funding to Louisiana, plus re-opening schools and change unemployment provisions.

The governor’s stay at home order is designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but Seabaugh says it’s also forcing people into poverty, especially in parishes that are reporting a small number of cases…

Cut 11 (09) “…of New Orleans.”

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Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office and afterwards praised the federal government’s commitment to supply Louisiana with enough test kits so that it can test at least 200,000 individuals a month for the coronavirus.  Edwards says that’s a critical piece in their COVID-19 response efforts

Cut 12 (06) “…the economy”

Edwards is hopeful the state can begin a phase one reopening of the economy on May 16th.

Based on the state’s latest update, at least 155-thousand people have been tested.

It was six months ago when the President made several trips to Louisiana urging Republican voters to vote Edwards out of office. But both men are on the same page now and feel good about the direction Louisiana is heading

Cut 13 (13) “…the best”

Edwards personally thanked the president for helping to provide federal resources in the early stages in the state’s fight against the spread of COVID-19

Cut 14 (12) “…the key”

04.29.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast April 29

Details of Jameis Winston’s one-year contract with the Saints have become public. The former first overall pick’s base salary will be one-point-one million dollars, with three-point-four million dollars in incentives. That’s according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Winston made nearly 21-million dollars last season with the Buccaneers when he led the NFL in passing yards but threw 30 interceptions. The former Heisman Trophy winner said on Instagram Live that playing for Coach Sean Payton and with Drew Brees will provide him with a Harvard education for quarterbacks.

LSU has added an offensive lineman from Harvard. Six-foot-five, 270- pound Liam Shanahan is signing with the Tigers as a grad transfer. He’s started at right guard, right tackle and left guard during his three seasons with the Crimson. Shanahan was an All-Ivy League first-team selection last season.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is optimistic NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway can be run at the end of May without fans.

The NCAA’s board of governors supports student-athletes getting paid for endorsements and promotions by a third-party. Under the proposed rule changes, student-athletes can profit from modeling apparel as long as that apparel doesn’t include school logos or other school marks. And athletes will be allowed to hire an agent to help procure marketing opportunities. This does not mean the NCAA can pay athletes and the proposal would put limitations on potential compensation. Division one, two, and three must approve these proposals and if approved, they would take effect by the start of the 2021-22 academic year.

The NFL has set the dates for the 2021 draft. It will take place in downtown Cleveland from April 29 to May 1st. The league says the plan is to incorporate some of their innovations and special access from the 2020 draft into their draft plans for next year.

There’s a report Major League Baseball will hold a virtual draft in June. There was some talk about pushing the draft back into the summer. We still don’t know the length of the draft, it could be as short as five rounds or maybe as long as ten rounds.

04.29.20
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10:30 LRN Newscast April 29

The state is working to increase coronavirus testing and what about Mardi Gras next year. Matt Doyle reports the governor spoke about both topics…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Edwards is in Washington D.C. today. He’s one of a handful of governors who President Donald Trump asked to meet with one-on-one. In a statement, Edwards says he plans to talk with the President about plans to re-open additional businesses next month and surging their testing capacity.

The University of Louisiana System is planning to have students on their nine campuses this fall. And U-L System president Doctor Jim Henderson says despite a lot of uncertainty, applications and admissions are up across the board…
cut 11 (08) “….don’t know”
LSU interim president Thomas Galligan has told faculty and staff that LSU plans to begin a phased approach to returning to campus around May 15th.

There is frustration over Governor John Bel Edwards extending the stay at home order until May 15th. The governor says there are three regions of the state that’s still seeing an increase in cases. Acadiana is one of those areas. Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory calls on the public to do its part, so a phase one re-opening of the economy can begin…
cut 9 (13) “…is team player”

04.29.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast April 29

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington D-C today for a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump. Edwards says he looks forward to the conversation with the president about the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The governor says he’ll also share the state’s plans to re-open additional businesses next month and efforts to surge the state’s testing capacity to 200-thousand tests per month.

The surviving Baton Rouge Police officer wounded in Sunday’s fatal shootout that killed another officer is showing promising signs of recovery. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

On Friday, restaurants can begin to offer outdoor dining, where customers can pick up food for take out, but instead of going home, they can eat at a table outside of the restaurant. But New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says that will not happen in the Crescent City and Cantrell says a discussion should take place on whether Mardi Gras can happen next year. Governor Edwards was asked his thoughts on Mardi Gras 2021…
cut 6 (08) “…to know”

The Termite swarm season is starting, mostly a south Louisiana event. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Karen Sun says the problematic Formosan subterranean termites are an invasive species originally from Asia but thrive in Louisiana’s heat and humidity…
cut 13 (09) “…worst infested areas”
The pests will swarm through June, congregating around lights after dark.

04.29.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards announces the federal government will provide Louisiana with the testing kits needed to administer 200,000 COVID tests a month. So far just over 150,000 tests have been performed. Assistant Secretary for the state office of public health, Dr. Alex Billioux, says a surge in testing will allow for testing of asymptomatic people, especially in prisons and nursing homes…
cut 5 (06) “…individuals”
Billioux also explains why it’s important to wear a mask…
cut 30 (20) “…mutually”

UL system students should plan on heading back to campus in the fall. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU AgCenter urban entomologist Doctor Karen Sun says the Formosan subterranean termite season has arrived. The swarms begin at dusk and Sun says one of the best mitigation techniques is limiting outdoor lighting…
cut 14 (09) “….that’s possible”
The termites generally dissipate by 10:30 PM, at which point you should be able to turn back on outside lights.

04.29.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the federal government will provide Louisiana with the resources needed to administer 200,000 COVID tests a month. So far just over 150,000 tests have been performed. Edwards says starting next month the state will begin to receive more testing kits and the weekly allocation will increase over time…
Cut 4 (09)_ “to get.”
The governor is in Washington D-C today for a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump. Testing will be one of the major topics.

Universities are planning to welcome students back to their college campuses this fall, but how much of a state funding hit will these schools take. The state is anticipating lower revenues because of the COVID-19 shutdown, but University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says that it doesn’t necessarily mean the system will go under…
cut 12 (08) “…students”

The surviving Baton Rouge Police officer wounded in Sunday’s fatal shootout that killed another officer is showing promising signs of recovery. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State lawmakers have approved Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for more early voting days and expanded mail-in balloting options for the July and August elections. Ardoin says this is a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But many Republican lawmakers are concerned about the mail-in voting expansion.