Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

06.27.19
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4:45 LRN Sportscast June 27

LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is set to receive a one-year contract extension. It’s up for approval at tomorrow’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Ensminger is entering his second season as the Tigers O-C. His 800-thousand dollar annual salary will remain the same. Tomorrow’s agenda also calls for contract extensions for offensive line coach James Cregg, special teams coach Greg McMahon and head strength coach Tommy Moffitt.

The Pelicans are reportedly declining the qualifying offer on Cheick Diallo, which means the 22-year-old big man will be an unrestricted free agent when free agency begins on Sunday. The former second-round pick averaged six points and five rebounds a game last season.

Tomorrow at two o’ clock, it’s the big Woman’s World Cup quarterfinal matchup between the U-S and France.

The Ragin Cajuns athletic department announced today that they’ll have fan friendly concession prices for the 2019-202 season. Several items will be available for as little as one or two dollars. Bottled water, hamburgers, pretzels, nachos, fountain soda, and 16-ounce domestic beer cans will all be available for three dollars.

In April, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association will hold state championships in bass fishing. There will be four large regional tournaments in March and a two-day state championship in early April. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says based on the response from member schools, he expects the waters will be packed with students at the state tournaments next year…
cut 29 (09) “…tournament”
Two students from Northlake Christian recently won a national high school Fishing Championship event on Alabama’s Pickwick Lake.

06.27.19
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LRN PM Newscall June 27

Ten Democrats vying for the party’s 2020 Presidential nomination square off for a debate at 8 PM. Matt Doyle has reactions from advocates for the top two polling candidates.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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An overnight shooting at an East Baton Rouge home leaves three dead and the deputies are crediting the quick thinking of a 14-year-old for the fast capture of the suspect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The top two polling candidates in the Democratic Presidential Primary will square off tonight in a debate along with eight other hopefuls. Former Vice President Joe Biden sits at the top of the polls in the crowded field and Biden Campaign Co-Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond says the VP’s history of bipartisan work make him the best candidate

Cut 3 (08) “…work with”

Biden recently came under fire for touting his record in Congress of working with segregationists.

But New Orleans Our Revolution Chairman Adam Kay says the candidate at number two in the polls, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, has a compelling, progressive message for voters.

Cut 4 (11) “…wealthy.”

Sanders is the author of Congressional “Medicare For All” legislation.

Democrats are jonesing for a chance to knock President Trump out of office in 2020, and Richmond argues Biden is the most electable candidate in the field, and his electability would have down ballot results…

Cut 5 (11) “…Colorado”

Last night ten other Democrats took the stage for debate, headlined by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

But the Democratic party base has shifted significantly to the left on issues like healthcare and the economy and Kay says Sanders can appeal to that shift with his decades long consistently progressive record.

Cut 6 (09) “…tonight.”

The debate kicks off at 8PM, and will also feature candidates like California Senator Kamala Harris, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and more.

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Three people are dead following a shooting at an East Baton Rouge home just after midnight.  The victims were identified as 35-year-old Christa Sudduth, her current boyfriend 32-year-old Ivy Frank, and her grandmother 72-year-old Ruby White.  Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Casey Rayborn Hicks says Sudduth’s 14-year-old son grabbed his younger brother, hid and called 911.

Cut 7 (06) “…and began shooting.”

Hicks says the child was able to give a description of the vehicle and deputies were able to catch up with the suspect, 48-year-old Michael Wade, in the Shenandoah neighborhood.

Cut 8 (11) “…interviewing him.”

Hicks says if it wasn’t for the help of the child, an already tragic situation could have ended even worse.

Cut 9 (09) “…both their lives.”

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The Army Corps of Engineers says they expect to close the Bonnet Carre Spillway within the next two to three weeks as pressure on Mississippi River levees is expected to begin decreasing. Spokesperson Matt Roe says they’re confident the structure can begin closing soon…

Cut 10 (11) “…the water.”

The Bonnet Carre is located just west of New Orleans, and redirects river water into Lake Ponchartrain when it threatens to overtop city levees.

It’s the first time in history the Spillway has had to open twice in one year as record rainfall in the Midwest has sent a torrent of water downstream. Roe says that’s kept Corps engineers and inspectors busy for most of 2019…

Cut 11 (07) “daily”

The Bonnet Carre’s opening is thought to be responsible for a rash of toxic algae blooms along the Mississippi coast.

The Bonnet Carre has been open for 90 days this year, topping a record of 75 days set back in 1973, and Roe says the Corps and Levee Authorities have faced high river levels for even longer than that.

Cut 12 (06)   “…11 feet.”

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State Police announce the arrest of three Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly were paid for hours they didn’t work during the Safe and Sober campaign. Trooper Scott Moreau says the arrests come 9 months after the investigation began

Cut 13 (09) “…an internal audit.”  

Moreau says the three deputies arrested, Matthew Davis, Jonathan Treadway, and David Billings are facing charges or malfeasance, public payroll fraud, and injuring public records.

Cut 14 (12) “…visibility safety campaign” 

Investigators could not find the citations claimed by the deputies to support the unworked hours.

06.27.19
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2:30 LRN Newscast June 27

The Army Corps of Engineers announces the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish could finally close in the second or third week of July. The spillway has been open for 90 days this year, topping the previous record of 75 in 1973. Corps spokesperson Matt Roe says they’ve have been faced with high river levels for even longer than that…
cut 12 (06) “…11 feet”
Roe says they will begin closing the Bonnet Carre when the Mississippi River falls to 15.5 feet at the Carrollton gage in New Orleans.

Craft beer brewers across the state have seen things fizzle. Six breweries opened their doors over the last year, but five others closed…
cut 15 (07) “….things to help”
That’s the Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch who hopes a new state legislature that will take office in 2020 can make changes to state laws to help their industry.

An overnight shooting at an East Baton Rouge home leaves three dead, but deputies credit the quick thinking of a 14-year-old for the fast capture of the suspect. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police announce the arrest of three Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly were paid for hours they didn’t work during the Safe and Sober campaign. Trooper Scott Moreau says the arrests come 9 months after the investigation began.
Cut 13 (09) “…an internal audit.”
The three deputies arrested.. Matthew Davis, Jonathan Treadway, and David Billings.

06.27.19
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is set to receive a one-year contract extension. It’s up for approval at tomorrow’s LSU Board of Supervisors meeting. Ensminger is entering his second season as the Tigers O-C. His 800-thousand dollar annual salary will remain the same. Tomorrow’s agenda also calls for contract extensions for offensive line coach James Cregg, special teams coach Greg McMahon and head strength coach Tommy Moffitt.

The Pelicans have reportedly declined to extend a qualifying offer on Cheick Diallo and Stanley Johnson. The 22-year-old Diallo averaged six points and five rebounds a game last season, but there’s apparently no space for him on the roster with the Pels drafting Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes, plus New Orleans exercised the team option on Jahlil Okafor’s contract.

NBA free agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans reportedly have more than 30-million dollars to spend on acquiring new players.

Vanderbilt is the champs of college baseball. The Commodores defeated Michigan eight to two last night for their second national title in four College World Series appearances. Vandy won 59 games, an SEC record. Freshman pitcher Kumar Rocker was named the 2019 C-W-S, M-V-P.

Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

06.27.19
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7:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Governor John Bel Edwards had LSU Coach Ed Orgeron and his wife Kelly, plus members of the LSU Football freshman class over for dinner at the mansion this week. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards and Orgeron are friends and have openly supported each other…
cut 12 (09) “…governor”
Edwards also recently spent time with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees shooting a P-S-A in support of the governor’s new Veterans First Business Initiative.

Next year, the LHSAA will hold a bass fishing state tournament for the first time in the association’s history. Four large regional tournaments will be held in March and a two-day state championship in early April. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell…
cut 8 (11) “….fishin”

This time of year we see an increase in black bear encounters. Kevin Barnhart spoke with LDWF’s black bear expert Maria Davidson.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The craft beer industry in Louisiana has hit a plateau. Six new breweries opened over the last year, but five others shut their doors. Executive director of Louisiana’s Craft Brewer’s Guild Cary Koch blames antiquated state laws…
cut 13 (07) “…small business”
Koch says many other states have laws that have kept up with the changes in the industry.

06.27.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast June 27

Vanderbilt is the champs of college baseball. The Commodores defeated Michigan eight to two last night for their second national title in four College World Series appearances. Vandy won 59 games, an SEC record. Freshman pitcher Kumar Rocker was named the 2019 C-W-S, M-V-P.

The NCAA is putting new transfer rules in place, which could make it tougher for student-athletes to gain immediate-elgibility once they move to another school. The revised guidelines will require more input from athletic directors from an athlete’s original school on whether the circumstances that led to the transfer should result in a player being able to play right away at their new school.

ESPN reports the NBA is looking at shortening its 82-game regular season. Fewer games would give the league an opportunity to have a new midseason cup-sytle tournament and possibly a postseason play-in tournament. These ideas could be put into place for the 2021-22 season.

NBA free agency begins on Sunday. The Pelicans reportedly have more than 30-million dollars to spend on acquiring new players.

Tomorrow at two o’ clock, it’s the big Woman’s World Cup quarterfinal matchup between the U-S and France.

Bass fishing has been accepted by the Louisiana High School Athletics Association as a trial sport, with 173 schools in Louisiana telling the organization that they’d like to see fishing made official. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell says prep-age fishing competition is already popular in the state, and this will give those kids a chance to use those skills while wearing school colors.
Cut 7 (10) “…opportunity.”
The sport won’t feature one on one competitions between rival schools, but four large regional tournaments in March, and a two-day state championship event April 3rd and 4th next year.

06.27.19
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6:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Governor John Bel Edwards had dinner on Tuesday at the mansion with members of the LSU Football freshmen class and now there’s word the state’s top elected official shot a P-S-A with Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says these activities could be used as fodder for his Republican gubernatorial challengers…
cut 10 (11) “….the other”

There’s been an increase in bear sightings. LDWF’s Maria Davidson says it’s that time of year when mother bears force their cubs to start fending for themselves and male bears are on the prowl for mating season. She says if bears are known to wander in your neighborhood, reduce the risk of an encounter…
cut 6 (11) “…those things”

Bass fishing has been OK’d as a trial sport for the Louisiana High School Athletics Association. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

According to the Storm Prediction Center, northeast Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather today.

06.26.19
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4:45 LRN Sportscast June 26

The hype is building for an improved LSU offense in 2019. The reason for the increased hype can be attributed to the hiring of 29-year-old Joe Brady in January. The former Saints assistant coach is bringing fresh ideas to an offense that’s struggled to be among one of the best in the SEC during this decade. Brady on what LSU fans will see this fall…
cut 18 (17) “…watching it”
Brady says the wide receiver group led by Justin Jefferson will lead the way for LSU’s offense in 2019.

Members of LSU’s freshmen class and the Tigers coaching staff had a chance to check out the governor’s mansion last night as they had dinner with the governor and first lady. Coach O hopes this will become an annual event.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is passing the torch to Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson. Brees sent a framed autographed Saints jersey to Williamson and a note that said passing the torch to you! The Saints Q-B also made Williamson know he’s a fan of his catchphrase “Let’s Dance”….
cut 13 (10) “….let’s dance man”
That audio is from the Pelicans who released the video of Williamson receiving the gift.

The college baseball season comes to a close tonight as Michigan and Vanderbilt meet for a winner take all game in their best of three championship series. First pitch in Omaha is at 6 PM.

The NCAA has announced its changing some of its guidelines for student-athlete transfer waivers, which will make it more difficult to gain immediate eligibility at their new schools.

06.26.19
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LRN PM Newscall June 26

A new report indicates Louisiana prisons utilize solitary confinement four times more than the national average. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the authors…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Golf cart legislation allowing the vehicles to cross state highways in the town of Church Point is among the first six bills from 2019 session to be vetoed by Gov. Edwards, catching the bill’s authored by surprise. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (31) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A report finds Louisiana has a four times higher rate of the use of solitary confinement for prisoners than the national average. Loyola Jesuit Social Research Institute Research Fellow Dr. Sue Weishar says they surveyed prisoners in solitary, and 77 percent reported stays of more than a year. She says that’s torture.

Cut 3 (11) “…hopelessness”

The survey was based on responses from 709 inmates who were in solitary confinement at the state’s nine prisons.

Weishar says the practice undermines the goal of rehabilitation because the intense mental and physical stress created by extended stays creates long term damage.

Cut 4 (09) “…entered.”

30 percent of respondents to the survey reported solitary confinement of more than five years.

Weishar says the abnormally high rate of solitary use is the result of poor policy from the Department of Corrections, and the report authors are demanding change.

Cut 5 (10) “…the most”

Corrections responded, saying 3.75 percent of prisoners are in “restrictive housing” at the moment, and the number of those beds has been reduced by a thousand over the last two years reforms.

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A bill that would have allowed golf carts to cross LA 35 and other state highways within the town limits of Church Point is one of six the governor has vetoed from the 2019 legislative session.  Rep. Phillip DeVillier says the town had a well thought out plan for permitting as they want to be more golf cart friendly.

Cut 6 (10) “…around 5000 people.”

DeVillier says he is disappointed Governor Edwards killed the bill as the safety concerns were addressed because the proposed law said drivers had to be 18, with a valid driver’s license, carry insurance on the golf cart, and the vehicle must be equipped with proper lighting.

DeVillier adds he was caught off guard by the veto and says the Governor had voted in favor of similar bills in other communities during his time as a lawmaker.

Cut 7 (12) “…bit of respect.”

DeVillier says the measure may have a future in another legislative session.

Cut 8 (09) “…to do something.”

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The Louisiana Health Department announces they’ve reached a “subscrpition model” deal with Asegua Therapeutics that will result in the state treating an estimated 31-thousand people who have hepatitics C, which is an infectious liver disease. Health Secretary Rebekah Gee

Cut 9 (09) “to work.”

There are at least 39-thousand people in Louisiana’s Medicaid program and prison system who suffer from Hepatitis C, which kills more people than all other infectious diseases combined.

Curing a person of Hepatitis C costs an estimated 24-thousand dollars per treatment, but Gee says under this deal, Louisiana will receive an unlimited supply of Hep C medication for five years at a cost of 58-million dollars a year

Cut 10 (08) “…this illness.”

Gee says this innovative payment model cuts down on the cost of treating tens of thousands of individuals who have Hepatitis C

Cut 11 (08) “liver cancer”

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Newly minted Pelican Zion Williamson arrived in town to a housewarming gift of a framed, signed jersey from Saints QB Drew Brees, a note welcoming him to the city, and a challenge.

Zion is probably the most nationally hyped athlete to ever play in New Orleans, and Brees welcomed the phenom by inviting him to become the new favored son of New Orleans sports…

Cut 12 (09)   “…do it.”

Williamson created his own catchphrase “Let’s Dance” after the draft that’s become the go-to hashtag for all things Pelicans. Brees is clearly a fan of the 18-year-old’s calling card.

Cut 13 (11) “…man”  

The 6’7 280-pound power forward was visibly shocked and grinning ear to ear as he took in the moment, and celebrated the gift.

Cut 14 (11) “…sheesh” 

The Pelicans posted video of the moment on their twitter feed.

06.26.19
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1:30 LRN newscast June 26

A report is out indicating Louisiana prisons utilize solitary confinement four times more than the national average. Matt Doyle spoke with one of the authors…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says legislation he helped put together called the Lower Health Care Costs Act received approval from a U-S Senate committee today. Cassidy says the proposal contains provisions that would protect patients against surprise medical bills, lower prescription drug costs and improve price transparency.

Governor Edwards has vetoed six bills from the 2019 legislative session. One of the measures he rejected would have allowed the use of golf carts on state highways in the Acadia Parish town of Church Point. State Representative Phillip DeVillier is disappointed the governor vetoed his bill and he plans to bring it back…
cut 8 (09) “…do something”
DeVillier says Church Point residents wanted the ability to legally ride golf carts on highways so they can go to a grocery store or visit neighbors in the small community.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is passing the torch to Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson. Brees sent a framed autographed Saints jersey to Williamson and a note that said passing the torch to you! The Saints Q-B also made Williamson know he’s a fan of his catchphrase “Let’s Dance”….
cut 13 (10) “….let’s dance man”
That audio is from the Pelicans who released the video of Williamson receiving the gift.