Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.24.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast

A march against the handling of the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel site in New Orleans is scheduled for 3 PM today. Matt Doyle spoke with the organizer.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Charges have been upgraded against a woman accused of beating a 93-year-old woman with a belt now that video of the attack has become public. Lottie Morgan was arrested and charged with cruelty to persons with infirmities, but East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hilliar Moore is now seeking a felony charge of aggravated second-degree battery.

Louisiana is one of seven states to receive a green rating for its highway safety traffic laws. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase says the state’s seatbelt and DWI laws are optimal, but Louisiana should still look at implementing a Graduated Driver Licensing Program for teens…
cut 6 (08) “…experience”
Chase says they are pleased to see Louisiana passed a law last year requiring those under the age of two to be in a rear-facing child seat.

New Orleans native and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning calls it a career today as he announces his retirement after a 16-year career in the NFL. The debate is underway on whether the two-time Super Bowl MVP is a Hall of Famer. Family friend of the Mannings and Newman High School Football Coach Nelson Stewart says it’s a no-doubter…
cut 15 (08) “…up in Canton”

01.24.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast January 24

New Orleans native Eli Manning calls it a career today as the New York Giant quarterback holds a press conference to announce his retirement. Manning spent all 16 seasons of his NFL career in New York and longtime family friend and Newman High School football coach Nelson Stewart says he handled the media scrutiny well…
cut 14 (11) “…he’d work late”
Manning ranks seventh in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns.

Game two of the Zion Williamson era is tonight as the Pelicans host the Denver Nuggets at 7 PM. What will Williamson do for an encore after scoring 17 straight points in a three-minute span on Wednesday in a loss to San Antonio?

Senior forward Mubarak Muhammaed had a career-high 22 points and grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds as Louisiana Tech held off Middle Tennessee 80-73.

LSU Basketball leaves today for Austin today where they’ll play the Texas Longhorns tomorrow afternoon as part of the SEC Big 12-Challenge. The Tigers are looking for a solid non-conference win on the road. The Longhorns have struggled in Big 12 play this year.

Two teams who are having a tough go meet tomorrow in Lafayette, when the Cajuns host ULM. The two teams are tied for last in the Sun Belt. But ULM Coach Keith Richard says they would have a much better conference record if they had not lost three home games by a combined four points
Cut 17 (13) ” little bit”

Peabody High School Basketball Coach Charles Smith has been chosen to coach in the McDonald’s All-American Game on April 1st in Houston. Smith has won over one-thousand games and has seven LHSAA basketball titles.

01.24.20
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6:30 LRN Newscast

A protest demanding accountability from New Orleans officials for the handling of the Hard Rock construction site, and justice for the victims of the collapse will gather in the French Quarter at 3 PM. The frustration came to a boil when a victim’s body was partially exposed after the tarp covering him blew away. Organizer Trey Monaghan calls the situation disgraceful.
Cut 7 (09) “…for that.”
Two victims remain in the collapsed building.

An LSU Marketing Professor finds playing low volume music or ambient sound in restaurants can help influence customers to pick healthier food options. Professor Courtney Szocs says while low music can help people eat healthily, the inverse is also true, and loud music or background noise can help juice the sales of not-so-healthy options.
Cut 10 (10) “…sense.”
Szocs co-authored a paper in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science on the topic.

New York Giants QB and New Orleans native Eli Manning holds a press conference today to announce his retirement following 16 seasons in the NFL….
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

01.23.20
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson electrified the Smoothie King Center last night with 22 points in his NBA debut, a 121-117 loss to the Spurs. Williamson had just two points at halftime, but exploded for 17 points over a three-minute stretch in the 4th quarter that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Guard Jrue Holiday says it was an incredible show, but…
Cut 6 (07) “…surprise”
Williamson finished with 22 points in 18 minutes of action. He’s expected to play again on Friday when New Orleans hosts Denver.

Tonight Louisiana Tech is at Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are winless in Conference USA action. The Bulldogs are 4-and-2, but coming off a home loss to North Texas. Tech turned it over 17 times in that game.

Last night, Nicholls was an 81-73 victory over Houston Baptist. Stephen F Austin defeated Northwestern State 69-62. McNeese won its fifth straight beating Southeastern Louisiana 77-61.

The Saints enter an offseason where they’ll have to make big decisions on several unrestricted free agents. Vonn Bell, Andrus Peat, Eli Apple, A-J Klein, Teddy Bridgewater, and Drew Brees were major contributors on the 2019 team that will have the ability to sign elsewhere in March. General Manager Mickey Loomis is at the Senior Bowl in Mobile and wouldn’t speculate on who will return
Cut 16 (24) …the past”

Jorge Munoz an analyst on LSU’s coaching staff has reportedly been hired as wide receivers coach at Baylor. Quarterback Joe Burrow has said Munoz was a key to his Heisman Trophy-winning season and a potential candidate to replace Joe Brady as passing game coordinator.

01.23.20
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PM LRN Newscall January 23

A new tarp has been hung at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans after wind blew away the other tarp exposing the legs of a dead worker. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________

Zion Williamson puts on what’s being called the three most exciting minutes of basketball this season in a 121-117 loss to the Spurs. Guard Jrue Holiday sat courtside as the rookie sensation started raining threes in the 4th quarter…

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

___________________________

A new tarp is up so the remains of a worker at the collapsed Hard Rock Hotel construction site in New Orleans are no longer visible. Strong winds pushed the previous tarp away, briefly exposing the legs of a dead man. New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says it is not safe to pull the victim from the wreckage…

Cut 3 (10)  “…industry experts” 

Pictures of the victim’s legs dangling from the debris made the rounds on social media Wednesday after the original tarp shifted. McConnell urged the public from distributing those graphic images…

Cut 4 (09) “…reprehensible.”

McConnell says it’s unsafe to try the pry the man’s body from the wreckage, but they hope the remains of two of the victims who died inside the collapsed site will be recovered after a scheduled implosion in March…

Cut 5 (09) “…right now.”

_______________________

Zion Williamson electrified the Smoothie King Center last night with 22 points in his debut, a 121-117 loss to the Spurs.

Williamson had a rough start to the game before blasting the Spurs with a 17 point 4th quarter that sent the crowd, and sidelines into a frenzy. Guard Jrue Holiday says it was an incredible show, but…

Cut 6 (07) “…surprise”

Williamson had 22 points and 7 rebounds in just 19 minutes. He did also have five turnovers.

The 12 of Williamsons 22 points came from deep, surprising considering the rookie sensation didn’t shoot well, or often at Duke. He says his injury downtime helped…

Cut 7 (08) “…of that.”

Number one missed most of the season due to a meniscus tear suffered in the preseason.

Zion’s sensational three minute, 17 point 4th quarter outburst put the Pelicans up by three before he was yanked by the medical team as a precaution. He wasn’t happy about that…

Cut 8 (08) “…tough.”

ESPN caught Zion, as he was being taken out with just five minutes left, saying “Coach, I can win the game for this team. Leave me in”, but the med staff wasn’t having it.

_________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry is one of twenty-one Republican AGs filing a letter condemning the impeachment trial, urging the Senate to reject the articles of impeachment.  Landry says there are grave concerns about what he and other AGs have deemed a politically motivated impeachment process.

Cut 9 (12) “…very rare circumstances.”

Landry says there is a complete erosion in the rule of law in the US Senate, adding that the articles of impeachment would not hold up in any court of law.

Cut 10 (10) “…justice and fairness.” 

Landry says the use of impeachment as a politically motivated retaliation will likely damage the American system of government for decades by weakening the separation of powers.

Cut 11 (09) “…that is troubling.”
______________________

A miniature goat is found shot to death in Lafayette, leaving the family of the pet seeking answers.  Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says it appears that the goat, known has Uncle Baby Billy Goat, was shot in the neck by either a .22 or pellet rifle and bled to death.

Cut 12 (11) “…is just heartbroken.”

The family filed a police report upon discovery of the goat’s body.  Dorson says there is a statewide trend of companion animals being shot, almost weekly, with no clear motivation.  Dorson adds that such acts of violence can have a lasting negative impact.

Cut 13 (12) “…kills a pet.”

The reward is currently set at $1300 for information that leads to an arrest.  Dorson says the state has very strong and strict provisions set for those found guilty of felony animal cruelty.

Cut 14 (10) “…more than $25,000.”

01.23.20
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

There were chants of M-V-P when Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson went off and scored 17 points in a three-minute time span in his NBA debut last night, but it wasn’t enough for New Orleans to beat San Antonio as the Spurs held on for a 121 to 117 victory. Williamson on the fans reaction to his sudden burst of scoring…
cut 30 (10) “…to lock in”
Williamson finished with 22 points in 18 minutes of action. He’s expected to play again on Friday when New Orleans hosts Denver.

In college hoops last night, Nicholls remains at the top of the Southland standings after beating Houston Baptist 81-73. Stephen F Austin defeated Northwestern State 69-62. McNeese won its fifth straight beating Southeastern Louisiana 77-61.

Louisiana Tech is at Middle Tennessee tonight.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis says the team would obviously welcome the return of Drew Brees. But it will take a new contract as the 41-year-old is set to become a free agent in March. Loomis says he’s yet approach Brees about next season…
cut 17 (11) “…plenty of time”
Brees told ESPN he wants to give it at least a few weeks, so he can take a deep breath and take some time with the family and then reassess his situation. His teammates have said they expect Brees will be back for the 2020 season.

New Orleans native and New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning is done. Manning has called a press conference for tomorrow to officially announce his retirement from a 16-year-career and two Super Bowl victories.

A potential candidate to be LSU’s next game passing game coordinator is heading to Baylor. The Bears are reportedly hiring former Cajuns offensive coordinator and LSU analyst Jorge Munoz as their wide receivers coach.

01.23.20
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9:30 LRN Newscast January 23

Experts estimate LSU received more than $200 million in free media exposure between December 1st and January 21st as a result of the football team’s successful title run. Director of sponsorship analytics for Joyce Julius and Associates, Jeremy Creutz, says they estimate LSU had over 150,000 mentions across TV, internet and print media.
Cut 10 (08) “…to receive that.”

Louisiana political and business leaders are in the nation’s capital for the 72nd Washington Mardi Gras festivities. LSU communications professor and longtime political staffer Bob Mann says the Capitol Hilton Hotel is where business and socializing will mix…
cut 6 (09) “….of that”

A Louisiana native is capturing the attention of the hot sauce world with his new line of handcraft sauces. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Three schools in the Acadia Parish town of Iota are closed today as a result of social media threats.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Brandon Henry of St. Amant was arrested in Florida for allegedly making a verbal threat against G-W Carter Primary School in Gonzales.

01.23.20
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8:30 LRN Newscast January 23

The biggest names in Louisiana politics and business are in D.C. for Washington Mardi Gras…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo was involved in a car accident in Washington D-C when the taxi he was riding in was hit by another vehicle. Mayo is expected to resume his schedule today despite neck and shoulder pain.

A new tarp has been placed over the remains of one of the dead workers, who died when the Hard Rock Hotel construction site collapsed. The wind shifted the previous tarp exposing the dead man’s legs.

Joyce Julius and Associates says LSU earned more than 200-million dollars in free media exposure over the last seven weeks as a result of the Tigers winning a national championship. Director of sponsorship analytics Jeremy Creutz says while it may not be tangible dollars, the exposure can be parlayed into merchandise sales and interest in attending LSU.
Cut 12 (09) “…type of things.”
LSU says they saw a five-percent increase in applications during the week before and after the national championship game.

If you know someone that has been married for a long time, then contact the Louisiana Family Forum as they are looking to honor the state’s longest known married couple on Valentine’s Day. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills…
cut 9 (11) “…of Louisiana”
Nominations are due February fifth.

01.23.20
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards and other state and business leaders from Louisiana are in the nation’s capital for Washington D-C Mardi Gras festivities. LSU communications professor and longtime political staffer Bob Mann says the tradition started over 50 years ago by former Senator Russel Long for those Louisianans stuck in D.C. for the carnival season.
Cut 5 (08) “…holiday”
The tradition began and continues at the Washington Hilton.

Louisiana is known for its hot sauce and an LSU grad now living in New York is close to completing his Kickstarter campaign for a line of hot sauces he plans to produce called Bayou Gotham. Scott Bellina says his ties to the hot sauce industry is a family affair.
Cut 15 (12) “…with hot sauce.”
Bellina hopes to begin production of the Bayou Gothan hot sauce in March.

The Louisiana Family Forum is once again looking for the state’s longest married couple so they can be honored on Valentine’s Day. Brooke Thorington has more…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Meanwhile, hearts are broken in Lafayette over the death of Matthew Carter. The 17-year-old from Comeaux High School died yesterday from injuries he sustained when he was shot during an attempted armed robbery early Saturday morning. Police have charged a 13 and -14-year-old with first-degree murder. Carter has been described as a sweet and dedicated teenager.

01.23.20
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Zion Williamson gave a glimpse of what his future in New Orleans might look like last night, but it was not enough to give the Pelicans a win. San Antonio beat the Pels 121 to 117, but Williamson had 22 points, 17 points came in a three-minute burst in the fourth quarter when he knocked down four three-pointers…
cut 30 (16) “….next game”
And the next game is Friday against the Denver Nuggets, who are one of the top teams in the West.

Nicholls remains at the top of the Southland standings after beating Houston Baptist 81-73. Stephen F Austin defeated Northwestern State 69-62. McNeese won its fifth straight beating Southeastern Louisiana 77-61. Sha’Markus Kennedy had 26 points.

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is in Mobile, scouting the players at the Senior Bowl. Many analysts say the Saints need to bolster their group of wide receivers to help out Michael Thomas. Loomis says time will tell if they’ll draft a pass catcher in the first round or address that need through free agency…
cut 18 (20) “…here”
Quarterback Drew Brees told ESPN he will not make a decision anytime soon on whether he’ll return for his 20th season. Brees is set to be an unrestricted free agent in March. Loomis told ESPN they want the future Hall of Famer back next season.

New Orleans native and Giants quarterback Eli Manning has called it a career. Manning will officially announce his retirement tomorrow.