Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.31.19
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LRN PM Newscall July 31

The Saints and Michael Thomas have reportedly agreed to a new contract that makes him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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An emotional press conference took place today outside of the West Baton Rouge courthouse as family members are seeking justice in a fatal police shooting that happened last week. Matt Doyle has the story…

cut  2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The Saints and Michael Thomas agree to a contract that makes the wide out the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Sources say the deal is worth 100-million dollars over five years. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says it’s a huge contract, but it should not prevent the team from re-signing some of its other young stars

Cut 3 (12) “…each era”

Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches last season and no player in NFL history has caught more passes in his first three seasons in the NFL than Thomas. Streif says the contract numbers are eye-popping, but its the cost of doing business in the NFL

Cut 4 (08) “…in the city”

Thomas has been a training camp holdout. He’s been pushing for a new contract as he was set to make just over one-million dollars this year. Streif says it’s obvious Thomas outperformed his rookie deal and a new massive contract was justified…

Cut 5 (11) “…of it”

The Saints are off from training camp today but expect to see Thomas back on the practice field tomorrow with his teammates.

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Delhi Senator Francis Thompson is term-limited in the Senate but will attempt to continue his four-decade tenure in the legislature with his announcement that he’s running for the House.

Thompson says if elected he’s looking forward to returning to the more fiscally focused lower chamber, where he can use his decades of experience to help taxpayers get the most bang for their buck.

Cut 6 (11) “…is”

The Democrat could potentially be the longest actively serving member now that Senate President John Alario has decided not to attempt to return to the Legislature.

There are some concerns that the chamber flipping is against the spirit of the state’s term limit law, but Thompson says the Capitol is at it’s best when it has a few people who know all the ins and outs.

Cut 7 (11) “…was”

Thompson voted for the term limit law back in the 90s.

He’s one of north Louisiana’s more prominent lawmakers, and the 77-year-old says he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank to maintain his stay in the Legislature.

Cut 8 (07) “…to go.”

Thompson previously served in the Louisiana House from 1975 to 2007.

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The family of a black man killed last week during an encounter with a West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy is demanding justice. An autopsy shows 38-year-old Josef Richardson was fatally shot in the back of the neck. Authorities say deputies were serving a warrant at a motel near Port Allen when Richardson was shot. Richardson’s daughter says her dad didn’t deserve to die

Cut 9 (09) “…not right”

State Police says they are conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. Neither L-S-P or the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department has released the identity of the deputy involved in the shooting. Richardson’s daughter says she does not want her dad’s death to go down as an unsolved crime…

Cut 10 (09) “…no peace”  (2x)

Richardson was in the motel room with his girlfriend, who is facing drug charges. But investigators have not released any information on why the deputy fired his weapon. Richardson’s nephew says Josef was not a violent person…

Cut 11 (07) “…what happened.”

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The LSU football team reports for preseason camp tomorrow with expectations as high as they’ve been in several years. The media has picked LSU to finish second in the SEC West and the Tigers are expected to be ranked in the Top 10 in the preseason polls. Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s told his team not to listen to the hype

Cut 12 (11) “…that’s it.”

LSU has been plagued by inconsistent play on offense, but Orgeron believes in starting quarterback Joe Burrow and the Tigers return their leading receiver from last season, Justin Jefferson

Cut 13 (12) “…Trey Palmer”

07.31.19
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2:30 LRN Newscast July 31

An emotional press conference took place today outside of the West Baton Rouge courthouse as family members are seeking justice in a fatal police shooting that happened last week.
cut 2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints and wide receiver Michael Thomas have agreed to a record-breaking five-year, 100-million dollar contract. The voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says it’s money well spent for a super star player…
cut 4 (08) “…in the city”
After a brief hold out, Thomas is expected to return to the practice field tomorrow.

77-year-old Delhi Democrat Francis Thompson wants to continue to be a state legislator, even though term limits will prevent him from running for re-election in the Senate. Thompson plans to run for a seat in the House and he believes it’s a good thing to have a few veteran lawmakers at the Capitol, who know the ins and outs…
cut 7 (11) “….was”
Thompson started his state legislative career in the House in 1975.

Tomorrow begins the start of preseason camp for the LSU Tigers. Coach Ed Orgeron spoke at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today and says the combination of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Justin Jefferson will lead a strong passing attack…
cut 13 (12) “…Trey Palmer”
Palmer is a freshman from Kentwood.

07.31.19
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1:30 LRN Newscast July 31

The family of a black man killed last week during an encounter with a West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy is demanding justice. An autopsy shows 38-year-old Josef Richardson was fatally shot in the back of the neck. Authorities say deputies were serving a warrant at a motel near Port Allen when Richardson was shot. Richardson’s daughter says her dad didn’t deserve to die
Cut 9 (09) “…not right”
State Police is handling the investigation.

Senator Bill Cassidy has helped craft a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents to receive a five-thousand-dollar tax credit for family paid leave. Cassidy says sometimes a new child may force a mother to stop working and survive on public assistance…
cut 11 (09) “…return to work”
Parents who take the five-thousand-dollar credit, would be eligible for only a 15-hundred dollar child tax credit after the first year, instead of the maximum credit of $2,000.

The Saints and Michael Thomas agree to a contract that makes the wide out the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. Sources say the deal is worth 100-million dollars over five years. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says it’s a huge contract, but it should not prevent the team from re-signing some of its other young stars
Cut 3 (12) “…each era”
Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches last season.

One of the state’s longest-serving lawmakers is running again this fall. Term limits will prevent Delhi Democrat Francis Thompson from returning to the Senate, but the 77-year-old says he’s seeking a seat in the House and he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank…
cut 8 (07) “…to go”
Thompson previously served in the Louisiana House from 1975 to 2007.

07.31.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast July 31

The Saints and Michael Thomas agree on a massive contract that will pay him five-years, 100-million dollars, which would make him the highest-paid receiver in NFL. Thomas led the NFL with 125 catches this past season and no other player in NFL has caught more passes in his first three seasons. The Voice of the Saints, Zach Streif, says Thomas is worth the investment.
Cut 4 (08) “…in the the city” .”
Thomas has been a training camp holdout, but is expected to rejoin teammates at practice tomorrow.

Speaking of practice, LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is hoping private donors will step up and help build a new practice facility for his program. Wade says he’s looking for the same type of efficiency for his basketball players that the football team is getting with its new facility…
cut 17 (09 “…the year”
Wade says the upgrade to the basketball facility will be 15-million dollars.

LSU Coach Paul Mainieri says they are giving pitching coach Alan Dunn some additional technological support. Injuries to the pitching staff prevented the 2019 team from living up to its preseason number one ranking. Mainieri says they are in the process of converting one of their batting cages into a pitching lab that will help with development and look for red flags when it comes to possible injuries
cut 20 (23) “kind of things”
Mainieri says Jaden Hill, who missed of the season due to elbow soreness, will start throwing again on August 11th.

07.31.19
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8:30 LRN Newscast July 31

Good news Saints fans, the Black and Gold have reportedly signed wide receiver Michael Thomas to a new contract that makes him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. The massive deal will pay Thomas 100-million dollars over the next five years, which keeps him in New Orleans through the 2024 season.

Brooke Thorington talked to Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder about a new program that aims to return missing military medals to their rightful owners…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington ”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped craft a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents to receive a five-thousand-dollar tax credit for family paid leave. Cassidy says sometimes a new child may force a mother to quit working and survive on public assistance…
cut 11 (09) “…return to work”
Parents who take the five-thousand-dollar credit, would be eligible for only a 15-hundred dollar child tax credit after the first year, instead of the maximum credit of $2,000.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is calling on the candidates for governor and the state legislature to push for a special session next year to address the state’s long-standing transportation issues. BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith…
cut 13 (11) “…can be competitive”
Smith says funding for a new Mississippi River bridge would be a priority.

07.31.19
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7:30 LRN Newscast July 31

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber is calling on whoever is elected as governor to hold a special session in 2020 to address the state’s transportation problems. BRAC Senior VP of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith says the special session would produce funding for a new I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge and high-speed rail service between New Orleans and the capitol city…
cut 15 (13) :…things like hurricanes”

For years the Louisiana Treasury Department has returned unclaimed money and now they will do the same thing for lost military medals. Treasurer John Schroder says the state legislature gave his office that authority in the last legislative session…
Cut 7 (08) “of them.”
Medals and military documents left in deposit boxes or other depositories for five years after the lease expires will be handed over to the treasury’s unclaimed property division.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has co-authored legislation that would give parents of a newborn or adopted child the option of receiving a five-thousand-dollar tax credit during the first year of parenthood. Cassidy says the legislation is designed to encourage new parents to spend more time at home…
cut 12 (08) “….bonding is more”
If a parent takes the five-thousand-dollar tax credit, they’ll receive less of the annual child tax credit after the first year.

Louisiana Tech will build new residence halls to replace dormitories that date back to the 1940s. Assistant VP for student advancement Dickie Crawford says 600 new beds will be created, along with a thousand new parking spaces…
cut 4 (09) “….parking”
The new halls will mean Harper, Mitchell, and Cottingham dorms will be discontinued by 2021.

07.31.19
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Senator Bill Cassidy releases a paid leave proposal for new parents. Cassidy says with the plan, new parents would be allowed to take $5,000 advance on the child tax credit, reducing the $2,000 annual benefit to $1,500 for ten years after the birth or adoption of a child…
cut 10 (11) “…that great expense”
Cassidy says the legislation has bipartisan support.

New legislative gives State Treasurer John Schroder the authority to return lost military medals to veterans of their families. Schroder’s office already oversees the return of unclaimed property, such as money from old banking accounts, payroll checks, stocks and utility deposits…
cut 9 (09) “…paper”
Schroder says his office would not return medals or military documents until after they go five years sitting in a safety deposit box or another depository after the lease period expires.

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber calls for a special session next year to focus on infrastructure needs. Matt Doyle has the story.  voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s National Heatstroke Prevention Day, thankfully not to hot in Louisiana today. Rain chances higher for south Louisiana.

07.31.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast July 31

Now that LSU football has its newly renovated operations building, LSU basketball coach Will Wade says the Tigers basketball practice facility needs a major upgrade. Wade says he’s met with Tiger Athletic Foundation officials and they’ve raised about 25-percent of what they need
Cut 16 (13) “…with our time”
LSU’s basketball practice facility opened in 2010. But Wade says it doesn’t have a weight room or office space for coaches. He would also like to improve the players’ locker room. Wade says the upgrade will cost 15-million dollars.

Former LSU star Travin Dural is back with the Saints. The Black and Gold released Dural in June after not playing in 2018 due to an injury. Coach Sean Payton says after they released him, they knew there was a chance Dural would be back.

During his annual summer press conference, LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri explained why he decided to make a change with his hitting coach. Sean Ochinko was replaced in favor of Eddie Smith, who helped Tulane break several offensive American Athletic Conference records last season. Mainieri says Smith has an impressive gameplan on how to develop hitters…
cut 19 (22) “great addition”
The Tigers will begin fall ball on September 29th and open the regular season at home in February against Indiana. The Hoosiers played in a regional last season. LSU will also host the national champs during SEC play. Vanderbilt will travel to the Box, the dates of that weekend series has not been set.

07.30.19
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LRN PM Newscall July 30

A West Monroe man is in jail after pretending to be a woman online and convincing another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The two Republicans in the governor’s race have made some big moves this week. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (31) I’m Matt Doyle”  

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48-year-old James William Eaton of West Monroe is in jail after posing online as a woman and luring another man to drive from California to Ouachita Parish thinking he was marrying that woman.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Glen Springfield says the victim claims to have sent Eaton a total of $1000.

Cut 3 (10) “…other gifts too.”

When questioned, Eaton allegedly told deputies he did not know the victim and never received anything from him. But Springfield says investigators found a box mailed to Eaton’s alter ego “Rose Williams” from the victim.

Cut 4 (13) “…in the box.”

Springfield believes Eaton thought he’d never end up actually meeting the victim and says this case is another reminder to be careful with who you interact with online.

Cut 5 (13) “…was a scam.”

It is unclear how long the relationship had been going on.

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The GOP side of the governor’s race is starting to heat up with Eddie Rispone opening a substantial statewide advertisement blast and Congressman Abraham securing a major endorsement.

Abraham may be behind his fellow Republican in funding, but he continues to snag party endorsements, this time from a legislative heavyweight, House Republican Chairman Lance Harris.

Cut 6 (09) “…with him”

Harris says he’s seeing a lot of support for Abraham in his Alexandria based district.

After the Alexandria Republican’s attempt in the last session to roll back a 2018 sales tax failed, he got a call from the Congressman, who vowed, if elected, that he would get that effort over the finish line.

Cut 7 (06) “…pay it”

The Rispone campaign adds they too would make it a priority to repeal the sales tax.

The Congressman may be scoring GOP endorsements, but Rispone’s camp is beginning to utilize its significant financial advantage by putting the candidate’s face on TVs across the state…

Cut 8 (11) “…Louisiana.”

That’s Rispone campaign communications director Anthony Ramirez who says expect to see the candidate’s message on everything from nightly news to Monday Night Football.

The Baton Rouge businessman may be trailing Abraham in name recognition, but his camp is planning to use that five million dollars plus ad buy, to send a clear message to a lynchpin GOP constituency.

Cut 9 (10) “…electorate”

The primary will be held October 12th, and if no candidate cracks 50 percent of the vote, a run-off will be held November 16th.

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Three people are dead including a toddler, all from Olla, after an 18-wheeler rear-ended the Ford Fiesta they were traveling in, causing the vehicle to overturn. State Trooper Scott Moreau says no one was properly restrained in the Ford being driven by a 17-year-old girl, the only survivor in the vehicle.

Cut 10 (09) “…on the scene.”

The two of the deceased were identified as 45-year-old Vicki Sears, 24-year-old Brittany Martin, and the toddler was unnamed. The driver of the Ford sustained moderate injuries. Moreau says this wreck is another reminder that not wearing a seatbelt remains the number one cause of death in vehicle crashes.

Cut 11 (06) “…control over.”

Moreau says some of the worst accidents for troopers to see are those involving small children. On Thursday, a new car seat law goes into effect aims to reduce child injuries and fatalities.

Cut 12 (09) “…time for us.”

The driver of the 18-wheeler was Joseph Pardue, who was wearing his seat belt and he sustained moderate injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

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The St. John Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide. Sheriff Mike Tregre says the victims are cousins, 18 and 20-years old and they were found in a vehicle on West Airline Highway and East 22nd Street in Reserve. Tregre says they are looking for the suspects

Cut 13 (06) “…executed”

The deceased individuals have been identified as 18-year-old Kerell Sanders and 20-year-old Kyron Perrilloux. Both were from Reserve. Tregre says violence like this involving young men is far too common

Cut 14 (07) “…in my parish”

Tregre is confident his deputies will make an arrest

Cut 15 (07) “…these victims.”

07.30.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast July 30

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward wants to change the transfer policy which has provided the academic side with millions of dollars generated by athletics. From 2012-to-2017, LSU athletics sent nearly 50-million dollars to the university. Woodward says it’s dangerous for a school to rely on recurring money from athletics
cut 30 (07) “…doing
That’s Woodward’s thoughts in an exclusive interview with Tiger Rag Magazine.

At Saints training camp, former Breaux Bridge and LSU wide receiver Travin Dural was on the practice field for a tryout. The Black and Gold released Dural a month ago. Free-agent running back Robert Kelley is also reportedly trying out for the Black and gold. He’s a New Orleans native who went to O-Perry Walker and Tulane University. Kelley has been spent time on the Redskins roster for three seasons.

Private high schools also known as “select” schools form a new organization within the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to help coordinate their efforts to host their own championship events in football, basketball, baseball and softball. Catholic High of Baton Rouge athletics director JP Kelly is the Interim CEO of the Louisiana Select Association…
Cut 10 (10) “…sports.”
Last January, LHSAA member principals voted to allow select schools to host their own championship events at venues separate from the public schools.

LSU football has received its first commitment for the 2021 class, four-star Texas defensive end Landyn Watson. He’s six-foot-three, 240-pounds and he’s rated as the 11th best weak-side defensive end in the country.

LSU basketball walk-on Will Reese has left the program so he can focus on his education. Reese was a two-sport star at Anacoco and led the school to back-to-back state titles in basketball in 2015 and 2016. Former Southeastern Guard Parker Edwards is expected to take Reese’s spot on the roster.