Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

05.16.19
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9:30 LRN Newscast May 16

The Senate backs an education funding proposal that calls for a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Rolling Stones announces that the legendary rock band will perform in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 14th. Rolling Stones had to cancel its Jazz Fest performance because frontman Mick Jagger needed medical treatment.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has hit a record high for the state at 81-percent. State Education Superintendent John White says the graduation rate for black students has surpassed the national average. And White says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012, which means more students are receiving an education beyond high school…
cut 9 (11) “…family”

Coming up in the next hour, the House Ag committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registery, so that pet stores, animal shelters and others can see if a person has animal abuse convictions in their history….
cut 6 (10) “…probably next session”

05.16.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast May 16

LSU hosts Auburn tonight to begin the final regular season series of the year. Coach Paul Mainieri is changing up his starting rotation again as Eric Walker will start tonight’s game
Cut 16 (20) “…right around the corner”
Mainieri hinted Walker would also pitch next Wednesday or Thursday in the SEC Tournament, if LSU can win on Tuesday in a single elimination game.

At the SWAC Tournament in New Orleans, both Grambling and Southern advanced into the winner’s bracket. Grambling defeated Alcorn State 14-4 as Warren Laster and Garrett Smith combined to drive in seven runs. Southern outlasted Arkansas Pine Bluff 11-7 thanks to a three-run homer from Johnny Johnson. The tournament continues today.

Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin still would like to keep Anthony Davis in New Orleans now that the franchise owns the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. But Jake Madison, publisher of Locked on Pelicans, says A-D will still likely be traded and there are assets other teams can offer…
cut 25 (12) “….OFFERS UP”

In college football, ESPN announces that LSU’s highly anticipated nonconference matchup with Texas on September 7th in Austin will ckick off at 6:30. A-B-C will televise the game.

ULM’s game at Florida State on September seventh will kick off at 4 PM.

In major league baseball, the Astros remained hot with a 5-1 win over Detroit. Former LSU star Alex Bregman hit his 14th home run on the year, the second most in the American League.

05.15.19
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

Duke superstar Zion Williamson will almost certainly be a Pelican after the franchise lucked into the first pick in the NBA draft lottery last night. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It will be a night kick off when LSU and Texas meet on the football field in Austin Saturday, September 7th. ESPN announced a 6:30 kick-off for the game and it will be televised by ABC as part of the network’s Saturday Night Football package. LSU opens the season a week before when they host Georgia Southern.

Antoine Duplantis homered for the 10th time this season and Daniel Cabrera hit his fifth home run in his last nine games as the Fighting Tigers defeated UNO seven to five last night.

LSU, who is fighting for an NCAA Regional host site, will host Auburn for a three-game series beginning tomorrow night. Coach Paul Mainieri announced today that Eric Walker will start on the mound tomorrow, Landon Marceaux on Friday and the starter for the regular season finale on Saturday is to be announced.

The Southern Jaguars begin play in the SWAC Tournament tonight as they’ll face Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 6 PM tonight in New Orleans at Wesley Barrow Stadium. Grambling won earlier today, beating Alcorn State 14-4 in eight innings. The Tigers will play tomorrow, against either Alabama State or Prairie View A-and-M.

In a series that starts tomorrow, Louisiana Tech is at FIU. The Bulldogs are looking to finish in third place in the Conference USA standings.

05.15.19
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PM LRN Newscall May 15

Duke legend Zion Williamson is almost certainly set to be a Pelican after the franchise lucked into the first pick in the NBA draft lottery last night. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A proposal to ban abortions in Louisiana when a fetal heartbeat is detected is one step away from final legislative passage. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Pelicans are back in a big way after landing the first pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, which is almost guaranteed to be Duke phenom, Zion Williamson, the most hyped college prospect in nearly two decades.

Locked on Pelicans Podcast publisher Jake Madison says it’s impossible to overstate how big a deal it is for New Orleans basketball…

Cut 3 (12) “…overall.”

The Pels only had a six percent chance to win the first pick, and the news has inspired the sale of 2,500 new season tickets.

Williamson quickly became the biggest draw in college basketball last season, and a human highlight reel with multiple dunks a game. The Pels analyst says Zion combines jaw dropping athleticism with a motor that just doesn’t stop.

Cut 4 (10) “…dunk machine” 

Zion gives the franchise a clear future, but GM David Griffin has to sort out a messy present with reports circulating that star forward Anthony Davis still wants off the team. Madison says that issue just got a lot easier to fix with key potential trade partners grabbing good picks…

Cut 5 (12) “…up.”

The draft will be held June 20th.

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Louisiana’s version of the fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill has cleared another legislative hurdle. The House Health committee voted for the Senate approved measure that seeks to ban abortions when a heartbeat is detectable. The bill’s author is Shreveport Senator John Milkovich

Cut 6 (12) “…be killed.”

No one on the House Health and Welfare Committee objected to the fetal heartbeat abortion ban. But Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says if lawmakers support this bill, they should also support a measure to abolish the death penalty…

Cut 7 (12) “…of jail.”

Louisiana’s fetal heartbeat abortion ban heads to the full House for final legislative passage. Opelousas Representative Dustin Miller says if legislators vote for this pro life measure, they should also support legislation that guarantees a child quality health care and education

Cut 8 (09) “…quality life.”

The governor is expected to sign this measure, but it will not go into effect, unless Mississippi wins a legal fight over their own fetal heartbeat abortion ban bill.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation broke ground on the I-20/I-220 Barksdale Air Force Base Interchange project in Bossier City today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand for the event and says the $72 million comes out of necessity with a bigger and stronger economy.

Cut 9 (07) “…our economy forward.”

Edwards says since January 2016, the state has invested over $2.2 billion in transportation around the state, with over $239 million going towards infrastructure projects in Northwest Louisiana.

Cut 10 (11) “…in the world.“.

Edwards says this project means enhanced security for deliveries onto the base, congestion relief for several other access points and an entrance that is not contingent upon crossing a railroad track.

Cut 11 (08)“…of their operations.”

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President Trump announced on his visit to Louisiana yesterday that a new I-10 bridge was coming to the Lake Charles area if he is reelected.  DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the President’s commitment for such a large project came as a surprise.

Cut 12 (09)   “…to deliver it.”

Wilson says the bridge is actually older than the interstate system itself and that the state has been working toward getting a new bridge project moved along for quite some time.

Cut 13 (09) “…very steep structure.”

It’s estimated that up to 75,000 cars a day travel across the bridge.  Wilson says the bridge is of great importance to more than just to those who live in the surrounding communities.

Cut 14 (11) “…most efficient way.” 

05.15.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

It’s been a rough year in sports for Louisiana with the no call in the NFC Championship game, the drama surrounding Anthony Davis, the Will Wade FBI wire tap scandal, so the state was due for some good luck. And they got it last night with the Pelicans winning the NBA Draft Lottery, which gives them the right to draft Duke superstar Zion Williamson next month. In the hours since the news broke, over 25-hundred season tickets have been sold. Williamson is widely regarded the most promising prospect to enter the NBA draft since Lebron James.

ESPN announces the highly-anticipated non-conference contest between LSU and Texas on the gridiron will kick off at 6:30 on Saturday, September seventh in Austin. ABC will televise the game as part of the network’s Saturday Night Football package.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow will work at the Manning Passing Academy as a camp counselor. The camp runs from June 26th to the 30th on the Nicholls State campus in Thibodaux.

20th ranked LSU used a four-run third inning to defeat UNO seven to five on the baseball diamond last night. Daniel Cabrera hit a two-run homer in that third inning and later in the game Antoine Duplantis hit his 10th dinger of the season. LSU now has back-to-back victories heading into the final regular season series of the year on Thursday when they host Auburn.

5th ranked Mississippi State defeated Louisiana Tech seven to three. Hunter Wells and Parker Bates each had three hits in the loss. The Bulldogs finish the regular season in Miami against F-I-U in a series that starts tomorrow.

The 2018-19 high school sports season ended yesterday with the conclusion of the state baseball tournament. For the first time since 1987, Tioga is state champs in baseball. The Indians defeated Breaux Bridge four to three. Sterlington won its first Class 3A title as the Panthers doubled up South Beauregard four to two. And Barbe beat district rival Sam Houston eight to two for the Bucs 10th state championship in school history.

05.15.19
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9:30 LRN Newscast May 15

Legislation allowing medical marijuana patients to use an inhaler to get the therapeutic cannabis in their system passes on a 73-3 vote in the House and is headed to the Senate. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says his bill does not legalize smoking medical marijuana for those who get a prescription…
cut 13 (09) “….inhalation”
Doctors say inhaling medical marijuana allows patients to get quicker relief from their symptoms.

18 would be the minimum age to get married under legislation heading to the Senate floor after getting committee approval. But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says he’s not sure if 18 is the right number…
cut 12 (11) “…happens sometimes”
More discussion is expected on the Senate floor.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has picked up another challenger for this fall’s election. New Orleans flower and vegetable farmer Margee Green says Strain has put up red tape to slow down the state’s effort medical marijuana program and that hurts the ag industry…
cut 5 (11) “….more economically viable”
Strain has said he’s following state law when it comes to the testing requirements for medical marijuana produced in Louisiana.

Today is tax day in Louisiana as taxpayers have until the end of today to file their state income tax returns. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you need more time, you can file for an extension on the department’s website, but that only gives you more time to file…
cut 8 (10) “…late payment penalties.

05.15.19
by

8:30 LRN Newscast May 15

It’s been a rough year in sports for Louisiana with the no call in the NFC Championship game, the drama surrounding Anthony Davis, the Will Wade FBI wire tap scandal, so the state was due for some good luck. And they got it last night with the Pelicans winning the NBA Draft Lottery, which gives them the right to draft Duke superstar Zion Williamson next month.

If you have yet to file your 2018 state income tax return, your time is running out….
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would allow medical marijuana patients to use an inhaler to deliver the therapeutic cannabis into their system. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the proposal would also allow doctors who live out of state to prescribe medical marijuana to Louisiana patients…
cut 15 (12) “…medical examiners”
The measure faces more discussion in the Senate.

New Orleans vegetable and flower farmer Margee Green announces she will run against Republican Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain this fall. The Democrat says she wants to do more to help small and midsize farmers, advance the state’s medical marijuana program and she’s also concerned about the environment…
cut 6 (08) “….the entire country’
Natchitoches Parish farmer Charlie Greer is another Democrat running against Strain.

05.15.19
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7:30 LRN Newscast May 15

During President Trump’s visit to Sempra Energy’s liqueied natural gas plant in Hackberry, he praised the workers for fueling a new American revolution when it comes to delivering clean energy worldwide. And Mr. Trump credited his leadership for promoting fossil fuel development…
cut 24 (11) “….under assault”
The President also promised a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge if re-elected.

A bill heading to the Senate would allow medical marijuana patients to inhale therapeutic cannabis, much like an asthma patient uses an inhaler. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says veterans came to him and asked for the expanded option for treatment…
cut 14 (09) “…inhalation”
The House approved the bill on a 73-3 vote.

A Senate committee has approved legislation that would set the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 18-years-old. The proposal passed without objection, but Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau raised concerns about the bill blocking two 17-year-olds from getting married when there’s an unplanned pregnancy…
Cut 11 (10) “…setting.”
Luneau says he’ll work to amend the legislation so there are exceptions.

A New Orleans vegetable and flowers farmer enters the race for agriculture commissioner. “Margee” Green is running as a Democrat. Green says she’s running because there are barriers that keep small and midsize farmers from becoming successful….
Cut 4 (09) “… the effects most.”
Green is the second Democrat to challenge Ag Commissioner Mike Strain. Natchitoches Parish farmer Charlie Greer is also running.

05.15.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast may 15

cut 30 “…loud cheers”
That’s the reaction of the Pelicans ticket office as they watched the results of the NBA lottery last night which revealed that New Orleans has the number one pick in next month’s NBA draft which gives them the opportunity to select one of the top college players in recent memory, Duke’s Zion Williamson.

So what does this mean for disgruntled superstar Anthony Davis. Pelicans Executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin says the goal is still to convince A-D that New Orleans is the place for him…
cut 29 (11) “….what we can offer”
Or they can still trade Davis to the Knicks, Lakers or Celtics and in return receive young players and high draft picks. The NBA draft is June 20th.

A big four run third inning helped the LSU baseball team defeat UNO seven to five last night. Daniel Cabrera hit a two-run homer in that four-run third. Antoine Duplantis hit his 10th home run of the season. Zack Hess earned the save, but also gave up a two-run homer.

Tulane crushed South Alabama 11 to 1. Louisiana Tech fell seven to three to fifth ranked Mississippi State in Starkville.

The SWAC baseball tournament gets underway today at Wesley Barrow Stadium in New Orleans. Grambling faces Alcorn State at 9 AM, while Southern battles Arkansas Pine-Bluff tonight at 6 PM.

At the state baseball championships, here are your championship teams from yesterday, Oberlin, St. Charles Catholic, Sterlington, St. Paul’s, Tioga and Barbe defeated Sam Houston eight to two.

05.15.19
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6:30 LRN Newscast May 15

Legislation allowing medical marijuana patients to use an inhaler to get the therapeutic cannabis in their system passes on a 73-3vote in the House and is headed to the Senate. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says his bill does not legalize smoking medical marijuana for those who get a prescription…
cut 13 (09) “….inhalation”
Doctors say inhaling medical marijuana allows patients to get quicker relief from their symptoms.

Today marks the deadline for Louisiana taxpayers to file their 2018 state income tax return. If a taxpayer needs more time to prepare and file their paper work, Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says an extension needs to be filed today.
Cut 7 (09) “…late filing penalties.”
Henderson says an extension to file does not mean an extension to pay, your payment to the state is still due today.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has picked up another challenger for this fall’s election. It’s LSU graduate and New Orleans flower and vegetable farmer Margee Green who says Strain has been putting up red tape in the state’s effort to provide patients with medical marijuana and that’s hurting the ag industry…
cut 5 (11) “….more economically viable”
Strain has said he’s following state law when it comes to the testing requirements for medical marijuana produced in Louisiana.

And what a night for the New Orleans Pelicans has they won the lottery. The Pels now own the number one pick in next month’s NBA draft which gives them the opportunity to draft Duke superstar Zion Williamson.