Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.13.25
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7:30 LRN Sportscast

One of the wildest endings in Prep Classic history occurred last night in the Superdome as St. Charles Catholic came back in the final seconds to beat Shaw 23-21 to win the Division Two select state title. The Comets scored a touchdown with 35-seconds left to get within one point, but Tyler Milioto missed the extra point to tie the game.

However, Milioto got another chance due to a bizarre sequence of plays that included a Shaw player throwing his helmet into the air, thinking they had won, which resulted in a penalty against the Eagles. Also a bad punt by Shaw give Milioto a chance to win it with a 44-yard field. Our own Jeff Palermo had the call on the LHSAA Network…

Cut 30 (13) “….to hero”

It’s the Comets’ fourth state championship.

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Iowa won its first state championship in school history as the Yellow Jackets defeated North Desoto 50-43 to win the Division 2 non-select state title. Sterlington won its second title in a row as the Panthers defeated Jena 34-20.

Today at noon… Ruston is making its fourth straight state championship appearance and is looking to capture its ninth state title in school history. Ruston head coach Jerrod Baugh says last season’s 42-0 loss to Central is something that’s motivating the players this season.

Cut 14 (15) “…for this year.”

Ruston will take on Ouachita Parish at noon. The Bearcats beat the Lions 21-14 earlier this season.

Today at 3:30 Edna Karr looks to complete its second undefeated championship season as the Cougars host St. Aug. The Purple Knights are looking for their first state championship since 1979.

12.12.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 12

You can start making plans for the fall of 2026 as LSU’s full schedule was released last night and Lane Kiffin will make his return to Oxford on September 19th. The Tigers will kick off SEC play by visiting Ole Miss. The home schedule looks great, with games against Clemson, Texas A&M, Alabama and Texas, but LSU’s final two games are on the road…at Tennessee and Arkansas.

At the LHSAA Prep Classic, the Dunham Tigers won their first state championship since 2004 as the Tigers topped Calvary Baptist 34-17. The nation’s number one quarterback in the Class of 2027, Elijah Haven threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for two scores.

And Haynesville won its 18th state championship as the Golden Tornado denied Mangham its first state title since 1956 by beating the Panthers 39 to 37.

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The LHSAA Prep Classic continues today as Jena will make its first state championship game appearance at 3:30 as it takes on the defending champs in Division 3 non-select, the Sterlington Panthers. KNOE-TV sports Director Aaron Dietrich says Sterlington might have the best running game in the state…

Cut 11 (09) “…that is amazing”

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rushed for two touchdowns in last Sunday’s upset win over Tampa Bay. Shough says he always could run the ball and wants to make sure he keeps defenses on their toes.

Cut 19 (15) “…as I can.”

The Saints host the Panthers Sunday. Kickoff is at 3:25.

12.11.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast December 11

LSU’s third leading rusher on the season and one of the state’s most profilic high school quarterbacks says he’s entering the transfer portal. JuJuan Johnson rushed for 151 yards on 38 carries this season. At Lafayette Christian, Johnson set a Louisiana record for total yards with 14,451 and touchdowns 171.

According to LSU, since the hiring of Lane Kiffin, the school has received an additional 15-thousand season ticket requests and a large uptick in corporate partner and donor interest. LSU Economics professor Dek Terrell says Kiffin’s hiring will spark people to buy LSU merchandise this holiday season, but it’s nothing like winning a national championship…

Cut 12 (10) “…over 60-percent”

 

The Prep Classic starts today in the Superdome. Game one is the Division Four non-select state championship between the undefeated Haynesville Golden Tornado and the Mangham Dragons. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says Haynesville is undefeated, but Mangham is battle-tested.

Cut 4 (09) “…Haynesville team again.”

Also today, Riverside versus Ascension Catholic, and tonigh,t Dunham takes on Calvary Baptist.

An arena football league is coming to Monroe this summer as the Monroe franchise will be part of the Arena League, which is expanding from four to eight teams. League owner Jeff Holmes says their band of football features seven players on the field per side, and there is no kicking…

Cut 14 (07) “….receive the ball”

The team will play at the Monroe Civic Center and there will be a contest to name the team.

12.10.25
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4:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4th.

After a series of meetings, the legislature’s task force on NIL deals for student-athletes is ready to draft some bills for the upcoming session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC as long as he’s at LSU.

12.10.25
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Small businesses are a little more optimistic as 2025 comes to close. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Details of new LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis’ contract are out. His three-year deal is worth seven-point-five million dollars and there is language to make sure he is the highest paid offensive coordinator in the SEC.

After a series of meetings that concluded Monday, a task force on NIL deals for student athletes is ready to prepare a series of bills for the upcoming legislative session. Homer Democratic Representative Rashid Young is on the task force and says one central theme that came out of the meetings was the fact that there seemed to be no structure for interactions with amateur athletes.

Cut 6 (12) “…’the NIL space.”

President Trump has announced a 12-billion dollar financial aid package that will go to farmers who suffered financially because of market disruptions, higher operating costs and market losses because of new trade policies. LSU AgCenter economist Michael Deliberto says 11-billion dollars is for row crop farmers…

Cut 5 (11) “…in Louisiana would.”

The target date for the payments to go out would be sometime in February.

12.10.25
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12:30 LRN Newscast

As we approach 2026, the National Federation of Independent Business says there’s more optimism among small businesses. NFIB State director, Leah Long, says optimism spikes with the passage of the when the Big Beautiful Bill made the 20% small business deduction permanent and she was glad to see the Louisiana legislature tackle insurance reform which will be a huge help for small businesses.

Cut 8 (09) “…your bottom line.”

Requirements for unemployment insurance benefits are changing. Beginning January 4th, claimants must complete five work-search activities per week, up from three. Robert Wooley with Louisiana Works says there are also new rules that if broken could cause a person to lose their unemployment benefits.

Cut 15 (09) “…lose your benefit.”

 

Farmers in Louisiana are in position to get federal assistance because of President Trump’s 12-billion-dollar financial aid package for producers. LSU Ag Center economist Michael Deliberto says it’s needed as farmers suffered through a tough 2025.

Cut 3 (15) “…its third year.”

Deliberto says Cotton, rice and soybean farmers have struggled the most this year. President Trump says the funding will come from tariff revenues.

Former Lafayette Christian Academy Star and LSU running back JuJuan Johnson has entered the transfer portal.

12.10.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

Several bowl eligible college football teams chose not to play in a bowl game this season, but despite a disappointing year the LSU Tigers accepted an invitation to the Texas Bowl in Houston. LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson says the Tigers never thought about not playing in a bowl.

Cut 16 (17) “…the right way.”

LSU will play 21st-ranked Houston on December 27th. Several starters for the Tigers will not play, including Garrett Nussmeier, Whit Weeks, and Mansoor Delane. And Wilson is not sure what his future holds after the bowl game, whether he’ll be part of Lane Kiffin’s coaching staff.

Thoughts and prayers go out to LSU great Kevin Faulk, his 30-year-old daughter died unexpectedly last week. It’s the second daughter Faulk has lost at a young age.

The Jena Giants will make their first-ever trip to the state championship game on Friday as they will face Sterlington in the Division Two non-select state championship game. The Giants are 13-and-0 and the top seed. Head Coach Jay Roark says he’s proud of how the defense improved through the season…

Cut 11 (12) “…and getting better”

The Giants will face defending champion Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30.

Nice win for the McNeese men’s basketball team last night as the Cowboys defeated Rhode Island 66 to 64. Tyshawn Archie scored the winning bucket on a fade-away jumper with one second left. Archie had a career-high 18 points for the 8-2 Pokes.

 

Also, ULM upended Arkansas Baptist 79-69.

12.10.25
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11:30 LRN Newscast

The Senate is expected to vote on Bill Cassidy’s health care insurance reform bill tomorrow. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

United Healthcare will no longer be an insurer for Louisiana’s Medicaid program which means over 300,000 recipients may have to find a new primary care provider who is in-network with one of the other 5 Louisiana Medicaid insurers by January first. LDH reportedly made the decision to not renew United’s contract due to legal issues that involves the state’s requests for documents on how United manages prescription drug benefits.

 

Changes are coming to unemployment insurance benefits. They’re the result of legislation approved earlier this year and Robert Wooley with Louisiana works says the number of work search requirements is going up from three per week to five. So what classifies as work-search activities?

Cut 14 (11) “…instead of three.”

The changes go into effect on January 4th.

The Jena High School football team is heading to the Dome for the first time in school history. The Giants are the top seed in Division Two non-select and will face defending champion, Sterlington Friday afternoon at 3:30. Coach Jay Roark expects a big crowd from LaSalle Parish to cheer on the Giants.

Cut 12 (05) “…this weekend.”

The Prep Classic gets underway tomorrow with Mangham versus Haynesville.

12.10.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson is preparing to get the Tigers ready to play Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27th….

Cut 17 (15) “…football team.

Wilson says quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Mansoor Delane and linebacker Whit Weeks will not play in the bowl game. Nussmeier and Delane are hurt and will get ready for the NFL draft. Weeks is also recovering from a broken ankle, and could forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Will Wilson be on Lane Kiffin’s staff? Wilson says a decision on that has not been made. Kiffin is expected to bring Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith with him to LSU, leaving Wilson without a spot on Kiffin’s staff.

 

The Jena High School football team is preparing for its first-ever state championship game appearance. After losing in the semifinals the last two seasons, head coach Jay Roark says it’s nice to get over the hump.

Cut 10 (14) “…than previous years.”

Jena is 13-and-0 and the top seed in Division Two non-select. But they will have to beat defending champ Sterlington on Friday afternoon.

Edna Karr is seeking its eighth championship as the Cougars are trying to go back-to-back. Karr Coach Brice Brown…

Cut 20 (20) “…doing it”

Karr and St. Aug on Saturday afternoon on the LHSAA Network.

12.09.25
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5:30 LRN Newscast

S-L-B, a global technology company, will expand its operations in Shreveport, resulting in hundreds of new jobs. Their technology center in Shreveport is located at the former GM plant and SLB’s Data Centers Director Andrew Johnston says it will soon become the largest SLB facility in the world…

Cut 6 (13) “…world” (clapping)

SLB currently employs 660 employees at its Shreveport site and Johnston says they plan to nearly double that number.

LSU football coach Frank Wilson was asked today if he will be part of Lane Kiffin’s staff. Wilson said a decision on that will come after the Tigers play in the Texas Bowl. Several coaches on the offensive side of the football will not be retained as Kiffin brought several assistants with him from Ole Miss. Wilson says the transition has been smooth…

Cut 11 (05) “…pulling for LSU”

 

Senator Bill Cassidy is disappointed with a CDC panel’s decision to change its recommendation when it comes to administering the Hepatitis B vaccine. Instead of the recommendation covering all newborns, it is now for only infants that were born to mothers who test positive for the virus. Cassidy says the Hepatitis B vaccine has been effective…

Cut 5 (10) “…20 a year”

Hepatitis B can lead to a serious liver infection.

The holiday season can be a stressful time. Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham is urging you to reach out if you are struggling.

Cut 12 (07) “…somebody who cares.”

There are two 9-8-8 call centers in Louisiana that operate 24-7.  You can also text 9-8-8 to establish a live chat.