Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.12.19
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1:30 LRN Newscast December 12

With the holidays coming up, the state Office of Public Health is concerned only 25-percent of healthy adults in the state have received a flu shot.
cut 2 (31) “.Jeff Palermo.”

Former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn is among a group of NFL retired players involved in an alleged scheme to defraud an NFL health care benefit program. Prosecutors say these former players submitted false claims to the plan and received money for expensive medical equipment never purchased. Horn could be charged with fraud.

Most of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation supports a new North American trade deal that the President and Democrats have agreed on and still needs approval from Congress. But Republican Senator John Kennedy is reserving judgement…
cut 11 (09) “…for it”
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Strain says the U-S-M-C-A will bring unparalleled growth to the ag economy.

A big winter festival gets underway this afternoon. It’s known as Alex Winter Fete and one of the big attractions is an ice skating rink. There will also be an ugly sweater Five-K run on Saturday, a cookie eating contest, food vendors and of course live music….
cut 5 (10) “….approximately 2 PM.
That’s Interim Director of Community Services T-J Nash Senior who says more details can be found at alex-winter-fete-dot-com.

12.12.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 12

Former Saints star wide receiver Joe Horn is among a group of NFL retired players who allegedly defrauded an NFL health care benefit program out of three-point-four million dollars. Court documents say these players submitted false claims to the plan and received money for expensive medical equipment that was never purchased or received. Prosecutors say they plan to charge the 47-year-old Horn with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

The Saints are dealing with injuries to a couple of their starters on the defensive line. Defensive end Marcus Davenport and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have been put on injured reserve. To take their place on the roster, the Saints have signed defensive tackle T-Y McGill and defensive end Noah Spence.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been named Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. The vote was not close as Burrow received 50 of 53 first-place votes from the AP Top 25 poll voters. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young was second.

Louisiana Tech senior quarterback J’Mar Smith has been named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the year. Smith threw for 2,814 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also completed 66-percent of his passes for 281 yards per game.

Ragin Cajuns redshirt senior Kevin Dotson has been named a Sports Illustrated First Team All-American. Pro Football Focus says the Plaquemine native was one the highest-graded interior offensive linemen.

The Pelicans losing streak has reached 10 in a row. New Orleans lost to Milwaukee 127 to 112 last night. The Bucks were without reigning league M-V-P Giannis Antetokounmpo, instead, Milwaukee got 29 points from Eric Bledsoe and 24-points from Khris Middleton. J-J Redick had 31 points fo the Pels.

12.12.19
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9:30 LRN Newscast December 12

Louisiana is preparing a lawsuit to block the implementation of a California law passed 50 years ago that will finally go into effect January first banning the sale of alligator products. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “ I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A state DOTD worker died when the amphibious vehicle he was riding in, overturned in Bayou Ramos in St. Mary Parish. Two other workers were able to swim to safety, but divers recovered 22-year-old Jeffrey Curry of Arnaudville’s body about three hours later. The U-S Coast Guard is investigating the incident.

Three Louisiana cities are listed in Wallethub’s Top 25 ranking for cities most in need of charitable giving this holiday season. New Orleans is third, Shreveport 19th and Baton Rouge is ranked 21st. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says New Orleans ranks high for food insecurity, while Shreveport has a lot of people sleeping on the streets…
cut 6 (08) “…people”

State Treasurer John Schroder is backing federal legislation that would raise the age individuals can participate in the ABLE program, which enables people with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. The current age limit is 26, but Schroder says there’s an effort in Congress to increase the age to 46…
cut 9 (10) “….100,000”
Schroder says if they raise the age, more disabled vets can participate.

12.12.19
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8:30 LRN Newscast December 12

Louisiana is preparing to sue California over a new law that goes into effect on January 1st that bans the sale of alligator skins. The law has actually been on the books since the 1970s, but exemptions were put in place, but the latest exemption sunsets on January 1st. So Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says they are ready to go to court…
cut 15 (11) “….an adverse approach to”
The law was originally passed at a time when the alligator population was low.

New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge make Wallethub’s list of top 25 cities most in need of charitable giving this holiday season. The Crescent city came in at three, and mainly because of food insecurity. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says it’s a persistent issue in New Orleans…
Cut 4 (09) “…should be”

The AP reports nearly all of Louisiana’s legislators are utilizing a perk of the job that allows them to buy postseason tickets for LSU football games at face value. The LSU policy is paying off big this year, with lawmakers saving nearly 1,000 dollars for end zone tickets relative to the secondary market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a long-standing tradition.
Cut 10 (10) “request”
Legislators have the option to buy end zone seats to either the national semifinal in Atlanta or the national championship game on January 13th.

For five years, the Achieving a Better Life Experience program, known as ABLE, has helped parents who have children with disabilities, to save money without being penalized or losing benefits and services. The cutoff age is 26, but State Treasurer John Schroder supports legislation to raise the age to 46 to help disabled vets.
Cut 7 (06) “…in the program.”
There are currently 221 ABLE saving accounts in the state.

12.12.19
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7:30 LRN Newscast December 12

The state is preparing to file a lawsuit against California because of a new law that goes into effect January first which will ban the sale of alligator and crocodile skins. The law was actually put on the books decades ago, at a time the alligator population was not doing so hot, but Attorney General Jeff Landry says since then effective conservation efforts have been put in place…
Cut 13 (09) “…of that law.”
Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet says California is 30-percent of the alligator market in the world and if Louisiana alligators hunters lose that they’ll be in trouble.

It’s a story that comes up every time LSU football gets ready to play a big postseason game. State lawmakers getting the opportunity to buy tickets that are not available to the public. Several lawmakers say it is one of the few perks of a job that offers low pay and long hours. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says…
cut 12 (07) “…job”

Louisiana’s three largest cities are ranked in the top 25 of Wallethub’s cities most in need of charity for the holidays. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy say FEMA is committed to getting the U-S Virgin Islands to pay Louisiana contractors who provided immediate aid after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Kennedy and Cassidy say many Louisiana contractors are still waiting on millions in past due payments for their work and have begun laying off Louisiana workers.

12.12.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 12

After a couple of days off, the Saints are back on the practice field today to get ready for Monday night’s home game against Indianapolis. But defensive end Marcus Davenport and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins will not be on the field as they’ve been put on injured reserve because of season-ending injuries. To take their place on the roster, the Saints have signed defensive tackle T-Y McGill and defensive end Noah Spence. McGill is a fifth-year pro but hasn’t had a sack since 2016, while Spence has 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in four years in the NFL.

You can forget about LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda becoming the new head football coach at U-N-L-V. The Running Rebels have hired Oregon offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo instead.

In other LSU news, Ed Orgeron has been named Home Depot Coach of the Year. Cornerback Kristian Fulton will play in the Senior Bowl and Madison Prep safety Major Burns has de-committed from LSU.

J-J Redick scored a season-high 31 points but the Pelicans still lost to the red hot Milwaukee Bucks 127 to 112. New Orleans trailed by 23 points at halftime and at halftime Redick spoke to the team about their play on the defensive end…
cut 30 (16) “…with that”
Coach Alvin Gentry says it’s the quietest group he’s ever been around. The Pels are at Philadelphia on Friday.

Andre Jones had 21 points as the Nicholls had its way in a 118 to 44 win over Carver College. Nicholls will get a bigger test Saturday when they visit West Virginia.

Several high school football teams will get a chance to practice in the Superdome today ahead of this weekend’s Prep Classic. The Class Two-A Championship game between Many and Ferriday is the only one out of the six games that features a one versus two seed matchup. Kick-off for that game is at 3:30 on Friday.

12.12.19
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6:30 LRN Newscast December 12

Louisiana is preparing to sue California over a new law that prohibits the importation of alligator and crocodile products into California. Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet says California is 30-percent of the alligator market as alligator is used to make shoes, wallets, and handbags. California legislators passed the law in an effort to curb animal cruelty and trafficking of endangered species. But Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says California lawmakers are unaware of the booming alligator population in Louisiana or they just don’t care…
cut 14 (10) “…program”
Landry has told the California Attorney General that a lawsuit is coming.

The East Baton Rouge Metro Council voted along party lines against a legal settlement with the family of Alton Sterling. Sterling, a black man, was fatally shot during an encounter with two white police officers in July of 2016. The wrongful death lawsuit is set to go to trial in April.

The LSU football team’s SEC Championship season allows legislators to take advantage of a perk that gives them direct access to postseason end zone seats. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Three Louisiana cities made Wallethub’s Top 25 ranking for most in need of charitable giving this holiday season. New Orleans is third, Shreveport 19th and Baton Rouge is 21st. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says the state’s high, high school dropout rate contributes to the need…
cut 5 (06) “…homelessness”

12.11.19
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LRN Sportscast 4:45

Two key members of the Saints defensive front are reportedly done for the season. The NFL Network reports defensive end Marcus Davenport is reportedly out for the season as he needs surgery to repair his foot and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is also reportedly done for the season because of a significant ankle injury suffered in the loss to the 49ers.
Locked on Saints podcast publisher Ross Jackson says that’s now two years in a row, both players have suffered season ending injuries. Jackson says it’s particularly concerning for Davenport…
cut 14 (10) “…be tough”
The Saints have reportedly signed defensive end Noah Spence. Tampa Bay selected him in the second round in 2016, but he was most recently cut by the Redskins. New Orleans will host the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night football.

Rumors of LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda becoming the next head coach of U-N-L-V has died down. There were reports yesterday that says Aranda and the Running Rebels were close to a deal. But the latest report from ESPN says no job offer was made, and Aranda and UNLV had just initial talks.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron and senior quarterback Joe Burrow have been named SEC Coach of the Year and Offensive Player by the league’s coaches.

The Pelicans will try to snap a nine-game losing streak tonight against the Bucks, who are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the N-B-A at 21-and-3. But the league’s reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play tonight because of a sore right quadriceps tendon. Tip-off is at 8:30 PM.

In college hoops, Grambling ended an eight-game losing streak to ULM by beating the Warhawks 66-61 last night. It’s the first time Grambling has defeated ULM since 1983 and it was the Warhawks first regular-season home loss since 2017, ending a 14-game winning streak.

12.10.19
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LRN Sportscast

It’s official Joe Burrow is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Heisman Trophy voter and LSU reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau, says Burrow is a lock to win the award on Saturday during the Heisman presentation in New York…
cut 7 (09) “….the Alabama game”
There are three other finalists, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.

Ed Orgeron has been named AP SEC Coach of the Year. For that he receives a 25-thousand dollar bonus. The A-P unanimously selected Burrow as the S-E-C’s offensive player of the year and cornerback Derek Stingley Junior has been named freshman of the year.

Louisiana Tech junior cornerback Amik (Uh-meek) Robertson has been named to the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team. The Thibodaux native leads the nation in 19 forced incompletions.

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The Saints will spend this week trying to rebound from Sunday’s wild loss to the 49ers. Coach Sean Payton said on his radio show last night that during his visit to Whole Foods a meat department employee asked why he went for a two-point conversion in the first quarter, Payton said his response was why don’t you worry about your meat, because it doesn’t look good. New Orleans next game is Monday night against the Colts.

In Monday night football last night, the Eagles defeated the Giants 23-17 in overtime. Eli Manning started his first game since week two and threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.

Despite 31 points from Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans lost to the Pistons 105 to 103 last night. Derrick Rose hit a jumper at the buzzer to beat New Orleans on its home floor. Rose finished with 21 points.

Tonight in college basketball…ULM hosts Grambling. The Warhawks have won 14 consecutive regular-season non-conference home games.

McNeese is also home tonight to take on University of Missouri Kansas City. The Cowboys are averaging 81 points a game.

12.09.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Frustrating loss for the Saints on Sunday as San Francisco came into the Superdome and left with a 48-46 victory. New Orleans took a one-point lead with 53 seconds left when Drew Brees connected with Tre’Quan Smith on an 18-yard touchdown pass. But the 49ers won it on a 30-yard field goal by Robbie Gould (Gold). George Kittle’s 39-yard reception on fourth and two set up the game winning field goal. Coach Sean Payton on how they tried to defend that play…
Cut 17 (17) you in the end ”
The loss moves the Saints to number three in the N-F-C playoff standings, while the 49ers are in line to get homefield advantage with three regular season games left. New Orleans hosts the Colts next Monday.

LSU is the number one seed in the college football playoff and they’ll face fourth seeded Oklahoma December 28th in Atlanta. Coach Ed Orgeron says getting into the playoff is an accomplishment, but not the final destination….
cut 10 (10) “…takes us”

Louisiana Tech will meet Miami in Shreveport in the Walk-on’s Independence Bowl. Tech Coach Skip Holtz is glad they’ll be home for Christmas…
cut 19 (20) “…26th”
The Cajuns will play Miami of Ohio in the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile and Tulane will take on Southern MIss in the Lockheed Martin Armed Force Bowl.