Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.03.20
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LRN PM Newscall March 3rd

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick thinks so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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Twenty-one individuals from around the country have applied to become Louisiana’s next education superintendent. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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LSU Ag Center researchers are warning farmers that stink bug numbers will be high this year because of a series of mild winters. LSU Entomologist Doctor Sebe Brown says it takes temperatures below 20-degrees to kill off the redbanded stink bug which is from South America

Cut 3 (09)  “…this year”  

Stink bugs are capable of destroying soybean fields and other crops. Brown says early season control is vital…

Cut 4 (10) “…of damage”

Brown says stink bugs are able to survive a mild Louisiana winter by living under clover and weeds…

Cut 5 (09)  “…they go.”

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Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick files a Senate bill that would allow compensation in Louisiana. Connick says one potential revenue stream is merchandise sales.

Cut 6 (10) “…university is getting.”

The topic of financial benefits for student-athletes is a nationwide issue, with 30 other states filing legislation making the push for compensation. Connick says his measure is also vital for Louisiana schools to remain competitive.

Cut 7 (12) “…of their future.”

Opponents say compensation taints the student-athlete culture. However, Connick says times have changed.

Cut 8 (10) “…treat them fairly.”

If passed, the proposal would go into effect January 1, 2023. Just a few years ago, the NCAA exceeded one-billion dollars in revenues, but the association does not allow college athletes to receive money for what they do on the field or court.

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Twenty-one people have applied to be the state’s next education superintendent. Jefferson Parish school superintendent Cade Brumley and Central Louisiana Technical Community College Vice-Chancellor Heather Poole are among the local candidates. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says there’s also several out of state candidates as well

Cut 9 (08) “…good candidates″

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will meet in April to pick a successor to John White, who will step down next week. Governor Edwards says he hopes BESE will select someone who has worked in a variety of education roles, including as a teacher. But Erwin doesn’t think classroom experience is necessary…

Cut 10 (06) “ legislature approve”

Erwin says he’s surprised to see 21 individuals apply to be the leader of Louisiana’s K-through-12 public education system

Cut 11 (07) “…outside of the state”

It will take at least eight of the eleven BESE members to agree on a new superintendent.

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LSU-Shreveport Poli Sci Professor Jeff Sadow says polls show the democratic primary could be all but over by the time Louisianans vote on April 4th.

Sadow says the consolidation of candidates and the number of delegates up for grabs today, Super Tuesday, likely means…

Cut 12 (06) “…Louisiana.”

Current polling shows either Senator Bernie Sanders or VP Joe Biden could gain an insurmountable lead within the next few weeks.

Louisiana usually holds it’s primary the weekend after Super Tuesday, but Sadow says we got kicked back about a month because other local elections on the ballot could lead to an inconvenient time for potential run-offs.

Cut 13 (10) “…essentially.”

Biden entered today with momentum but Sadow says polls show Sanders putting away the race with strong showings in California and the northeast.

Cut 14 (07) “…nomination.”

Non-Democrats have until March 14 to register online at geaux-vote-dot-com as a Democrat if they’d like to participate in the closed primary. Republicans will also be holding their closed primary on the 4th with the same rules as well.

03.03.20
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2:30 LRN Newscast March 3

Should college athletes be able to cash in on their name and likeness? Marrero Republican Patrick Connick thinks so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

In an Ascension Parish courtroom today, a Dutchtown High School Teacher pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent behavior with juveniles. Thirty-two-year-old Mark Ebarb is accused of sending inappropriate messages and photographs to underage students. He’s a former Ascension Parish teacher of the year.

Today is Super Tuesday as voters in 14 states go to the polls to select who they want on the ballot in November for president. Louisiana usually holds its primary the weekend after Super Tuesday, LSU-Shreveport political science professor Jeff Sadow says they could not do that for this election cycle…
cut 13 (09) “…essentially”
Sadow says for the other items on the ballot, any run-offs would have to take place Easter weekend, if the primary election was this Saturday.

Twenty-one people have applied to be the state’s next education superintendent. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he’s surprised to see that many people interested in replacing John White as the state’s public schools’ leader…
cut 11 (07) “…outside of the state”
BESE will meet next month to vote on a new superintendent.

03.03.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

After getting no-hit on Sunday versus Oklahoma, 20th ranked LSU returns to the baseball diamond tonight to host Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are 5-and-6 and also struggling at the plate. They have a team batting average of .233 and have just two home runs. First pitch 6:30.

After scoring 65 runs in four games, Louisiana Tech baseball is at Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are coming off a series in which they dropped two out of three to U-L Lafayette. The Cajuns are at Rice tonight.

ULM and Jackson State meet tonight in Monroe. They come into tonight’s game ranked number one and two in the country in hitting.

Spring football begins today for ULM. The Warhawks need a new starting quarterback as Caleb Evans has exhausted his eligibility. Red-shirt sophomore Colby Suits could be the guy.

Evangel needs a new football coach as Byron Dawson has been named as the new defensive line coach at Tulane.

In the NBA, Memphis beat Atlanta last night, so the Pelicans fall 3.5 games back of the Grizzlies for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tonight, New Orleans hosts Minnesota as J-J Redick will miss his second straight game because of a left hamstring strain. Tip off is at 7:00.

There’s Sun Belt Action tonight too…The Ragin Cajuns host Coastal Carolina. The winner of this game will host a first-round Sun Belt Tournament game on Saturday. ULM will not be in the Sun Belt Tournament so the Warhawks will host Appalachian State in their final game of the season tonight.

Bossier Parish Community College will play at three PM against Coastal Ben College from Beeville, Texas in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 14 Tournament at the Gold Dome on Centenary’s campus.

McNeese’s Dru Kuxhausen has been named Southland Player of the Week. He hit 14 threes to break the conference record for most three-pointers in a season.

03.03.20
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10:30 LRN Newscast

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack says women’s equality organizations have signed an open letter denouncing the legislation.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s supporting a series of bills by Alexandria Senator Jay Leneau that would prohibit insurance companies from determining rates based on factors like credit score, gender, marital status and whether you served overseas….
cut 9 (10) “….to do”
Republicans say tort reform is needed to lower auto insurance rates.

Today is Super Tuesday, but Louisiana’s Presidential Primary is not until April 4th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says early voting will begin March 21st and run through March 28th…
cut 5 (06) “…6 PM”
Ardoin says to vote in the Democratic or Republican Presidential Primary you must be registered with one of the parties. The deadline to register online is March 14th and in person at your local registrar of voters’ office by tomorrow.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody is expected to be charged in murder for the death of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte. The 72-year-old’s body was found Monday along Interstate-49. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a surveillance photo from her apartment complex shows that Dewoody was the last person with her…
cut 10 (11) “…was his photo”
Dewoody is also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge from a separate case and the Department of Corrections records show he was paroled in June.

03.03.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast

Deadlines to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary in Louisiana are fast approaching. Brooke Thorington spoke with Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Caddo Parish authorities are investigating a fatal-deputy involved shooting that happened yesterday afternoon in Keithville. Sheriff Steve Prator believes the incident may have been suicide by cop.

Hundreds of bills have been filed ahead of the start of the 2020 regular session one of the measures is called the “Save Women’s Sports Act.” It would prohibit trans gender girls from playing in female sports. Louisiana Trans Advocate President Dylan Waguespack calls the measure discriminatory…
cut 16 (11) “…can’t
But Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says women’s sports should only be for biological females.

53-year-old Phillip DeWoody’s criminal charges are expected to be upgraded today now that 72-year-old Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte’s body was found Monday along a stretch of I-49. DeWoody was arrested Friday and authorities believe he’s responsible for Thomas’s death. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says DeWoody has been in prison before…
cut 12 (10) “…with his background”
Department of Corrections records show DeWoody was paroled in June. He had been in prison on armed robbery and prison escape convictions.

03.03.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast March 3

The state legislature will soon consider a bill that prohibits transgender athletes who were assigned as a male at birth to play on women’s sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says female sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for biological women only.
Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”
Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack opposes the bill and says a similar ban already exists at the high school level, but this would target all Louisiana trans students.
Cut 15 (12) “…with”
The regular session begins Monday and this could be one of the hot button issues of the session.

Governor Edwards will once again push the state legislature to raise the minimum wage. Edwards also supports a bill by Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter that would prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their salaries with co-workers. He also wants to see laws passed to reduce the pay gap between men and women
cut 8 (09) “…employer”
Similar bills have failed to pass in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Today is Super Tuesday and if you want to vote in the April 4th Louisiana Presidential Primary, you need to be registered Democrat or Republican. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin…
cut 6 (11) “….for Republicans”
Ardoin says the deadline to register in person is tomorrow, but you have until March 14th to register online at geaux-vote-dot-com.

03.03.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast March 3rd

Governor Edwards names his three non-budgetary legislative priorities for the year. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Legislation has been filed for the upcoming session that would ban transgender girls from playing on organized female sports teams. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there are cases where transgender girls are outperforming biological females…
cut 14 (08) “…against that”

Voter registration deadlines for the April 4th Presidential primary are fast approaching. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary and only Republicans in the GOP Primary. Ardoin says the deadline for in person or by mail registration for the primary is tomorrow and…
Cut 4 (09)_ “…registration.”
Early voting begins March 21st.

The search for a missing deaf and mute elderly Ville Platte woman has had a sad conclusion.
cut 11 (07) “…remoted”
The 72-year-old’s body was along a stretch of Interstate 49 between Sunset and Opelousas. She had been missing since Wednesday. 53-year-old Phillip DeWoody of Opelousas was arrested Friday on kidnapping charges and authorities are expected to now charge him with murder.

03.03.20
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Updated LRN AM newscall ###corrected early voting dates in Ardoin story###

Deadlines to register to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary in Louisiana are fast approaching. Brooke Thorington spoke with Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards names his three non-budgetary legislative priorities for the year. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A Franklinton Senator brings legislation that would bar trans women from playing women’s sports at Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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With voter registration deadlines fast approaching, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding Louisianans that only registered Democrats and Republicans are eligible to vote in the upcoming Presidential Primary or April 4th.  Ardoin says the Deadline for in person or by mail registration for the primary is tomorrow…

Cut 4 (09)_ “…registration.”

Ardoin says early voting will begin Saturday, March 21 and end Saturday March 28th, except for Sunday, March 23rd.

Cut 5 (12)  “…April 4th.”

There are 24 parishes that will have local elections on the ballot and are open to eligible voters., regardless to party. However, if you plan to vote in the Presidential Primary, Ardoin says the respective parties have established rules.

Cut 6 (11) “…for Republicans.”

For more information visit www.GeauxVote.com

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Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his top legislative priorities yesterday at the Baton Rouge Press Club, naming minimum wage, pay secrecy, and auto insurance as his primary, non-budgetary focuses.

Edwards threw his weight behind New Orleans Senator Troy Carter’s minimum wage bill that would lift the state from 7.25 to nine an hour by January 2021 and ten dollars an hour by July 2021.

Cut 7 (09) “…on that”

Edwards made raising the minimum wage a pillar of his 2015 election, and 2019 reelection efforts.

The Governor is also back supporting a push to prevent employers from firing workers who openly discuss their salary with other workers, and allow workers to keep their previous job’s pay secret.

Cut 8 (09) “employer”

He came out in favor of a series of bills by Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau that bars auto insurance companies from charging customers more based on their gender, credit, or military service.

Cut 9 (10) “…to do″

Republicans are pushing to lower the jury trial threshold to 15,000 dollars, but Edwards says he believes the current 50,000 dollar level is adequate.

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State Police have found the body of a missing deaf and mute Ville Platte woman and have made an arrest in the case. Trooper Thomas Gossen says 53-year old Phillip Dewoody of Opelousas has been arrested in connection with her disappearance.

Cut 10 (11) “…was his photo.”

Search teams found the body of Joyce Thomas along I-49 between Sunset and Opelousas. Gossen says he is unsure of a previous connection between the victim and the suspect, adding the woman had been reported missing on February 26th.

Cut 11 (07) “…a remote wooded area.”

The Advocate newspaper reports that court documents show the suspect has been in and out of prison after convictions including two armed robberies and escaping prison at knifepoint.

Cut 12 (10) “…with his background.”

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The legislature will consider a bill that bans schools from allowing transgender athletes who were not assigned as a woman at birth to play on women’s sports teams.

The legislation was brought by Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell who says women’s sports are a women’s rights issue and should be for women only.

Cut 13 (09) “…for women.”

She says she’s concerned about the competitive advantage that trans women have over someone who was assigned female at birth.

Cut 14 (08) “…that.”

Louisiana Trans Advocates President Dylan Waguespack opposes the bill and says a similar ban functionally already exists at the high school level, but this would target all Louisiana trans students.

Cut 15 (12) “…with”

Waguespack says the legislation, and it’s companion bill in the House, is imported from radical national anti-trans groups, and is discriminatory.

Cut 16  (11)  …can’t’   

The bill provides for the “Save Women’s Sports Act”.

03.03.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast March 3

21st ranked LSU returns to the baseball diamond tonight after getting no-hit on Sunday as the Bayou Bengals host Southeastern Louisiana. Strikeouts have been a big problem. The Tigers struck out 34 times in three games in Houston this past weekend. The Lions come into tonight’s game with a five and six record. The first pitch is at 6:30.

Louisiana Tech’s Steele Netterville has been named Conference USA Hitter of the Week. Netterville hit four home runs and drove in 14 runs last week. The Shreveport native hit two home runs in Sunday’s 26-3 thumping of the Maine Black Bears. Tech is at Sam Houston State tonight.

The Ragin Cajuns are also in Texas tonight as U-L Lafayette will visit Rice. Both teams are off to a slow start, U-L Lafayette is 4-and-8, while the Owls are two and eight.

Nine and two ULM hosts Jackson State. Northwestern State is bringing a nine and two record to Baton Rouge as the Demons visit Southern. Nicholls will host Valparaiso.

The Memphis Grizzlies won last night, extending their lead to 3.5 games over the Pelicans for the final spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. The Pelicans host Minnesota tonight and then travel to Dallas on Wednesday. We’ll see if rookie Zion Williamson will miss one of these two games since they are back-to-back.

Last night, Grambling got crushed by Mississippi Valley State 81-61. Tonight, the Cajuns host Coastal Carolina, who is averaging 78 points per game. ULM faces Appalachian State at 7 PM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.

The SEC announces that LSU’s Spring Game on April 18th will kick off at noon on ESPN Two. The game will take place on Southern University’s campus due to the resurfacing of the field in Tiger Stadium.

ULM opens spring practice today in the search of a new starting quarterback. It’s a wide-open competition between sophomore Colby Suits, junior college transfer Jeremy Hunt, walk-on Garrett Hable and former Sterlington star Hayes Crockett.

03.03.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor Edwards will once again push to raise Louisiana’s minimum wage in the upcoming legislative session. During an appearance at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Edwards announced his support to New Orleans Senator Troy Carter’s bill that would lift the minimum wage from 7.25 to nine dollars an hour by January 2021 and ten dollars an hour by July 2021.
Cut 7 (09) “…on that”
The proposal faces strong opposition from business organizations.

Criminal charges will soon be upgraded for 53-year-old Phillip Dewoody, who is in custody in connection with the disappearance of Joyce Thomas of Ville Platte. The 72-year-old’s body was found Monday along Interstate-49. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says a surveillance photo from her apartment complex shows that Dewoody was the last person with her…
cut 10 (11) “…was his photo”
Dewoody is also facing a second-degree kidnapping charge from a separate case.

Legislation has been filed in the House and Senate that would bar trans women from playing women’s sports at Louisiana schools. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”