Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.29.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast May 29

Autopsies on African American COVID-19 victims by LSU researchers identify blood clots as a key factor in deaths. LSU Health New Orleans head of Pathology Research Dr. Richard Vander Heide says they performed 26 autopsies and examined the victims’ lungs…
Cut 4 (10)_ “clots”
Vander Heide says they found heart disease, obesity, and other comorbidities in nearly all of those studied which may have produced the blood clotting.

Fallen State Trooper George Baker was laid to rest yesterday following a private memorial service at the University Center on the Southeastern Louisiana campus. Baker was killed at the age of 33 while assisting in the chase of a suspect in Hammond last week. His sister, Stephanie Smith, spoke on behalf of the family…
Cut 10 (13) “…overwhelming”
The suspects involved in the chase are facing several charges.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating 12 schools for allowing sports teams to begin training before the summer start date. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

05.29.20
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Updated Newscall ###Changes made to the small business grant story, bill heads back to the House to agree on Senate changes####

LSU pathologists make a new discovery that helps healthcare providers understand what can make COVID-19 so deadly. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating 12 schools for allowing sports teams to begin training before the summer start date. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small buisinesses who did not receive federal assistance. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “…Matt Doyle”  

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Autopsies on African American COVID-19 victims by LSU researchers find new information on how the disease damages your lungs by causing hemorrhaging. LSU Health New Orleans head of Pathology Research Dr. Richard Vander Heide says they’ve performed 26 autopsies and surveyed the victims’ lungs…

Cut 4 (10)_ “clots”

Vander Heide says they found heart disease, obesity, and other comorbidities in nearly all of those studied which may be linked to the blood clotting.

Cut 5 (09)  “..benefit”

Vander Heide says those clots and hemorrhaging can result in complications like strokes, and…

Cut 6 (10) “…recover” 

The victims were autopsied at University Medical Center in New Orleans.

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association delayed summer training dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic but 12 schools are under investigation for violating the start date. The association changed the date from May 17th to June 8th to fall in line with the Governor’s proposed timeline of reopening the state. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they were notified about the violations by other schools and…

Cut 7 (09) “…the right thing.”

Bonine said he’s extremely disappointed that the association is having to look into the matter. He says they have received time-stamped photographs and videos of the alleged practice sessions.

Cut 8 (08) “…survelliance.”

Bonine, who declined to name the 12 schools, says the executive committee will meet June 3rd to discuss the situation. Schools and coaches could receive, fines, suspensions, or placed on probation.

Cut 9 (09) “this point.”

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Fallen State Trooper George Baker was laid to rest yesterday following a private memorial service at the University Center on the Southeastern Louisiana campus. Baker was killed at the age of 33 while assisting in the chase of a suspect in Hammond last week. His sister, Stephanie Smith, spoke on behalf of the family…

Cut 10 (13) “…overwhelming”

The suspects involved in the chase are facing several charges.

Baker served in the military. That included a deployment to the Middle East. He also served in the Greensburg Police Department and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office. Governor Edwards says Trooper Baker was a true public servant

Cut 11 (11) “…service continues”

Trooper Baker is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Harper, his parents, sisters and extended family. Edwards had this message to the family….

Cut 12 (12) “…legacy alive.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses. The measure still needs Senate approval on changes made to the bill by the House.

The money will be drawn from 811 million dollars the state received from the federal CARES Act. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter argued this money is intended to help local governments…

Cut 13 (11) “…dollars” 

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent Governor Edwards a letter asking the 800 million be sent to local governments to cover COVID-related revenue loss.

Houma Representative Jermone Zeringue says these grants are crucial for propping up businesses that fell through the cracks when it came to the big federal stimulus programs.

Cut 14 (11) “…loan”

Companies that received other federal programs will be barred from receiving funds for the first 21 days as well. Businesses must have fewer than 50 employees to qualify.

Initially, the proposal only called for 200 million to be used for the grant program. River Ridge Representative John Illg questioned why the additional 100 million was added.

Cut 15 (07) “stop”

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell slammed the legislation, saying it damages local government’s ability to provide crucial COVID-related healthcare.

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Louisiana Tech plans to begin voluntary football workouts on June 8th. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says players are allowed back on campus next week…

Cut 16 (18) “in general”

McClelland says players will be screened daily for coronavirus symptoms and that includes answering a questionnaire and temperature checks. He says masks will also be required during meetings.

McClelland says its their hope fans will be allowed to attend football games, but not decisions have been made yet…

Cut 17  (30) “…very understanding” 

College athletics will likely change because of the coronavirus pandemic. There’s been some speculation that Conference USA and Sun Belt could merge as a result. McClelland doesn’t see it happening…

Cut 18  (20) “…of interest”   

05.28.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast May 28

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a parish approves the referendum, then lawmakers will vote next year on the regulation and taxation of sports wagering, which will be controversial
Cut 3 (05) “…should go”
Henry says the ballot question will ask voters if sports wagering activities and operations should be permitted in your parish.

Dates and times for Saints preseason games have been set. The Black and Gold will kick off the preseason in Los Angeles on Friday, August 14th. 9 PM is the start time. The next week, New Orleans travels to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on a Sunday night. In week three of the preseason, New Orleans hosts Houston on Saturday, August 29th. The Saints conclude the preseason on Thursday night, September third against the Miami Dolphins.

Conference USA and the Sun Belt have announced their bowl lineup for the next six years starting with the 2020 season. The Sun Belt will have five bowl tie-ins, but the New Orleans Bowl will no longer have the first pick. That will go to a bowl game owned and operated by ESPN, such as the Boca Raton Bowl, Cure Bowl and SERVPRO First Responsder Bowl in Dallas.

Conference USA says they will continue to send teams to the Bahamas Bowl and the New Orleans Bowl on an annual basis.

LSU assistant baseball coach Eddie Smith says 21 Tigers will participate in summer leagues this season. Several players will play in the South Florida League, which begins play on June 12th. They are Collier Cranford, Cade Doughty, Alex Milazzo, Cade Beloso, Zach Arnold and Giovanni DiGiacomo.

Northwestern State pitcher Kyle Swanson has been named the Southland Conference Baseball Student-Athlete of the Year. The Texas native graduated with perfect 4.0 GPA in health and human performance and had a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances and four saves in 2020.

05.28.20
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LRN PM Newscall May 28

Governor Edwards has the final say on whether voters will decide if they want sports betting legalized in their parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Senate Committee approves legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring a gun in a house of worship with the pastor’s permission, but without having to inform the congregation. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a parish approves the referendum, then lawmakers will vote next year on the regulation and taxation of sports wagering, which will be controversial

Cut 3 (05)  “…should go”  

An effort to legalize sports betting failed in the legislature last year. Henry says by putting the issue before the voters, lawmakers can then decide how they should vote when the sports betting and taxation bills come before them in 2021…

Cut 4 (09)_ “…pass the tax”

Supporters say sports betting is already happening and if it was legal than the state can tax the activity to generate revenue. Opponents say legal sports betting will produce more problem gamblers, which ends up costing taxpayers.

Henry says the ballot question will ask voters if sports wagering activities and operations should be permitted in your parish. He says lawmakers will determine next year where sports bets can be taken

Cut 5 (05)  “…next step”.

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A bill that removes many restrictions on who can be prescribed medical marijuana is nearing final legislative passage. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the treatment has helped many, including former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Mills says Blanco’s daughter said the medical cannabis gave her mom a few more good days before she died…

Cut 6 (06) “ …little while”

On a 28-to-six vote, the Senate approved the measure that would allow a state-licensed doctor to recommend the treatment for any debilitating health conditions. Mills assured the Senate this was not an effort to legalize recreational marijuana…

Cut 7 (04) “…medcinal issue” ”

Under current law, cannabis can only be used to treat a specific list of diseases or disorders that includes cancer, seizures, Parkinson’s, and PTSD. Mills says this legislation removes those restrictions…

Cut 8 (10) “…to you””

Before the bill goes to the governor’s desk, the House will need to approve Senate changes to the measure.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraged by the state’s recent COVID-19 numbers, but as for a decision on Phase Two reopening that will have to wait. Edwards says the data is still being analyzed, but it’s encouraging to see the number of hospitalizations has fallen below 800

Cut 9 (10) “…decision is”

He hopes to make the announcement on June 1st on possible movement to Phase Two, Phase One is currently in effect until June 5th.

The number of patients who are hospitalized dropped by another 37 on Thursday to 761.

Edwards says based on the number of positive cases of those who have been tested and the fact that you can be an asymptomatic carrier it is so important that we all wear masks.

Cut 10 (10) “…everybody else”

Edwards says the state has made great progress going from number two in the country to number nine of COVID-19 cases per capita because so many have cooperated with guidelines, but we must continue to do so.

Cut 11 (11) “…my mother-in-law”

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A House-approved bill allowing a concealed handgun permit holder to bring a gun into a church without informing the congregation heads to the Senate floor for final passage.

Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham began the hearing by addressing one of most commonly cited concerns related to the bill…

Cut 12 (09) “…firearms”

The legislation still requires a concealed carrier to ask the pastor or other leader of the house of worship for permission to carry while on the premises.

Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says it will make churches a safer place.

Cut 13 (09) “to speak”  

Churches can currently allow concealed carry, but the congregation must be informed who is carrying. Bill sponsor Representative Bryan Fontenot says that requirement made carriers a target.

Church Attorney Andrew Wilson spoke against the bill. He says the measure would call for anti-carry churches to post large “no gun signs”, ruining church atmospheres.

Cut 14 (11) “…afraid”

Wilson also cited scripture quoting Jesus as saying weapons should not be deployed to protect his followers.

Reverend John David Andrew, speaking on behalf of the Episcopal Dioceses of Louisiana, says this bill endangers the safety of students going to schools attached to churches…

Cut 15 (09)“ targets”

The Senate Judiciary C reported the bill to the floor on a 4-1 vote.

05.28.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast May 28

We are a step closer to legalized sports betting in Louisiana as the state legislature has given final legislative approval to a measure that would ask voters on the November third ballot if sports wagering should be legal in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if one or more parishes approve the referendum, then next year lawmakers will determine taxation, regulation and where sports bets can be placed…
cut 5 (05) “…next step”
Supporters say sports betting is already happening and if it was legal than the state can tax the activity to generate revenue. Opponents say legal sports betting will produce more problem gamblers, which ends up costing taxpayers.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating ten schools for allegedly holding summer workouts before the June eighth start date. Executive Director Eddie Bonine declined to name the schools, but schools found in violation face fines and their coaches could be suspended.

Dates and times for Saints preseason games have been set and we’ll see if they actually get played. The Black and Gold will kick off the preseason in Los Angeles on Friday, August 14th. 9 PM is the start time. The next week, New Orleans travels to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Sunday night. In week three of the preseason, New Orleans hosts Houston on Saturday, August 29th. The Saints conclude the preseason on Thursday night, September third against the Miami Dolphins.

The Sun Belt Conference has announced that the New Orleans Bowl will no longer have the first choice on which team from the Sun Belt will play in their bowl game. Commissioner Keith Gill says a variety of ESPN operated or owned bowl games will get that first selection and the New Orleans Bowl will hold the second selection.

Northwestern State pitcher Kyle Swanson has been named the Southland Conference Baseball Student-Athlete of the Year. The Texas native graduated with perfect 4.0 GPA in health and human performance and had a 1.04 ERA in seven appearances and four saves in 2020.

05.28.20
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10:30 LRN Newscast May 28

A mysterious illness linked to COVID-19 in young adults and children claims its first life in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A private memorial service is under way at this hour on the Southeastern Louisiana University campus for State Trooper George Baker, who died early this week from injuries he sustained during a police chase in Hammond last week. Trooper Baker is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Harper, his parents, sisters and extended family.

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a parish approves the referendum, then lawmakers will vote next year on the regulation and taxation of sports wagering, which will be controversial
Cut 3 (05) “…should go”
Henry says the ballot question will ask voters if sports wagering activities and operations should be permitted in your parish.

The Louisiana House is set to take up legislation today that would set aside 200 million from the 1.8 billion dollar federal CARES Act to provide small business grants. N-F-I-B State Director Dawn Starns says many small businesses are still at risk of going under.
Cut 13 (09) “…to be”
Governor Edwards opposes the effort because the money state lawmakers want to use is, should go to local governments according to the federal government.

05.28.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast May 28

The state health department says it’s seen 13 cases and the death of a young person from multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which is a condition that develops in coronavirus patients under the age of 21. Governor Edwards says the development is concerning, but fatal outcomes are rare…
cut 9 (08) “…care”
M-I-S-C is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed.

Humanities organizations are eligible for emergency relief grants to help pay for operational expenses. Executive Director for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Miranda Restovic, says so far 42 organizations have received funding…
cut 11 (10) “…private sector”
For more information go to l-e-h-dot-org.

A Senate-approved bill that would prohibit a driver from holding a cell phone gets rejected in the Louisiana House. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating ten schools for allegedly holding summer workouts before the June eighth start date. The LHSAA says they’ve received information about six schools in the New Orleans area, two from the Lafayette area, and two north Louisiana schools allegedly held organized practices supervised by coaches. Executive Director Eddie Bonine declined to name the schools.

05.28.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast May 28

Louisiana reports its first death from a rare disease believed to be caused by COVID-19 in children and young adults. Governor Edwards says the state has reported 13 cases…
Cut 7 (08) “…discharged.”
Edwards says multisystem inflammatory syndrome can occur up to four weeks after a young person gets COVID-19 and it causes some body parts to become inflamed.

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has joined forces with the Helis Foundation to provide emergency relief grants to humanities organizations with awards ranging from three-thousand to 20-thousand dollars. L-E-H executive director Miranda Restovic says the grants are for operational expenses…
cut 12 (08) “…utilities”
For more information visit l-e-h-dot-org and the deadline is June 30th.

The full House is set to discuss this morning a proposal that would take 200-million in federal CARES dollars to set up a small business grant program. The 200-million would come from 811-million dollars that the federal government designated for local governments. NFIB Director Dawn Starns likes the proposal…
cut 16 (09) “….possible”
But Governor Edwards says the feds could allocate additional funds dedicated to businesses in the future, but may not offer any more for local governments, so….
cut 15 (05) “…do that’
The measure has already passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House this morning.

05.28.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast May 28

Governor John Bel Edwards says 13 children have been diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome and one of the individuals has died from the rare illness that’s related to the coronavirus. Edwards explains what happens to a child who is diagnosed with this condition…
cut 8 (11) “….causes it”
He says hospitals have been alerted and children with the syndrome can get better with appropriate medical care.

A proposal to ban drivers from holding a hand-held cell phone has failed in the House after passing the Senate earlier in the session. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter is worried the legislation would lead to a bias against African-American motorists…
cut 5 (10) “…really disturbing”
The House killed the measure on a 40-59 vote.

Today the House considers legislation that would direct a portion of the state’s federal CARES Act money towards small business grants. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana House has given final legislative approval to a measure that gives voters a chance to decide if sports wagering should be legal in their parish. The referendum will appear on the November 3rd ballot. If a parish votes yes, the legislature will decide next year on taxation and determine where and how bets can be taken. The state’s licensed casinos and race tracks are likely locations.

05.28.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast May 28

Dates and times for Saints preseason games have been set and we’ll see if they actually get played. The Black and Gold will kick off the preseason in Los Angeles on Friday, August 14th. 9 PM is the start time. The next week, New Orleans travels to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Sunday night. In week three of the preseason, New Orleans hosts Houston on Saturday, August 29th. The Saints conclude the preseason on Thursday night, September third against the Miami Dolphins.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating ten schools that have allegedly started summer workouts before the June eighth start date. The LHSAA says they’ve received reports involving six schools in the New Orleans area, two from the Lafayette area, and two north Louisiana schools. Executive Director Eddie Bonine declined to name the schools, but if they violated this rule, they face fines and the coaches could be suspended.

The NBA continues to discuss how it should finish its season. Dallas Owner Mark Cuban has suggested an expanded playoff format. ESPN reports that Cuban recommends the league should re-start its season with five to seven regular-season games than the top ten teams in each conference would qualify for the playoffs. The teams that qualify for the playoffs with the worst records would have play-in games, before the traditional start of a 16-team NBA postseason featuring the best of seven-game series format.

Today, the Major League Baseball Players Association will reportedly deliver a counterproposal to the owners’ economic plan that called for the top players in the game taking the largest pay cuts. The M-L-B-P-A is disappointed by that offer and they will reportedly recommend no pay cut and playing more than 82 games as the owners have suggested. The belief is a deal needs to be reached soon in order to begin a second spring training in mid-June.