Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

08.28.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast August 28th

The department of transportation is preparing to widen Interstate 10 in Baton Rouge to three lanes, which will require the state to buy at least 17 homes and four businesses. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson….
cut 4 (07) “…required’
Wilson says the plan is to borrow 360-million dollars to pay for the contruction and three days of public meetings begins tonight at McKinley Magnet School.

Louisiana Tech has received the top spot for 2018 for colleges in Louisiana from BestColleges.com. The website looks at admissions and retention rates. University spokesperson, Tonya Oaks Smith, says it’s an honor that reinforces the school’s commitment to its students.
Cut 10 (09) “…for Louisiana Tech.“

Is Joe Burrow the man to take the Tigers to the Promised Land? One Tiger says he’s made some strong impressions heading into the season opener against Miami on Sunday…
Cut 3 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

08.27.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast August 27th

Joe Burrow will start at quarterback on Sunday night against eighth ranked Miami. Coach Ed Orgeron held off on publicly announcing a starter when he met with the media earlier today, because he wanted to tell the team first. Burrow’s starter status became official when the depth chart was released this afternoon. Coach O says Burrow and Myles Brennan were told of the decision this morning
Cut 12 (11) “second team quarterback”
Orgeron and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger reportedly picked Burrow over Myles Brennan, because of Burrow’s experience and decision-making.

Grambling Coach Broderick Fobbs is holding off on naming a starting quarterback for Saturday’s season opener against UL Lafayette. Fobbs says Geremy Hickbottom and Aldon Clark will share snaps in practice this week. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says his two quarterbacks, Andre Nunez and Levi Lewis, will both play.

The Saints Taysom Hill showed off his versatility in Saturday’s preseason win over the Chargers. Hill recorded a tackle on special teams, helped execute a fake punt. At quarterback, he rushed for a score and threw a touchdown. Quarterback Drew Brees says it was an impressive night for Hill…
Cut 18 (19) “…with the guy”
Hill hopes to lock down a roster spot when the Saints close out the preseason on Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Former LSU star Odell Beckham finally has his huge contract as the Giants wide receiver has agreed to a five-year contract extension worth 90-million dollars. 65-million dollars is guaranteed, which is a record for a wide receiver. This means Saints wide receiver Mike Thomas will see big pay day in a year or two.

08.27.18
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LRN PM Newscall August 27th ###Now official Joe Burrow is the starting QB###

Despite the rise of tablets and other digital screens, the Forestry Industry in Louisiana continues to grow since taking a dive in the 08’ recession. Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Authorities say a Facebook post threat towards Louisiana Tech and Grambling State turned out to be fake. Don Molino has the story….

Cut 2 (26) “I’m Don Molino”  

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Despite the digital revolution, the forestry industry continues to grow in Louisiana. A new report says forestry accounts for 13 billion dollars in economic output to the state, and one billion in inflation adjusted with state and local taxes. LSU Ag Center Professor Shaun Tanger says while paper is down, paper related products are up.

Cut 3 (11) “…middle class”

The report says the forestry industry accounted for 290 million dollars of income through 4,000 jobs, and 30.8 million in state taxes in East Baton Rouge Parish alone.

The Forest Economics professor says the industry accounts for roughly 50,000 jobs state wide through direct and indirect employment, and that it’s been on a statewide uptick for nearly a decade.

Cut 4 (09) “…upward trend”

Tanger says the increase in shipping needs from companies like Amazon has also helped buoy the industry, along with a rebounding housing market, but warns that there could be a bump in the road just ahead.

Cut 5 (10)  “or two” 

 

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have issued a quarantine on the transportation and transplanting of Roseau Cane out of Southern Louisiana.  A small invasive insect known as the Roseau can scale was first discovered in the state in fall of 2016, and has destroyed wide swaths of the plant in coastal Louisiana.  LDWF Biologist Director Todd Baker says hunters often use the plant to build hunting blinds.

Cut 6 (05) “…cannot move cane.”

Baker says there is only one exception for moving cane.

Cut 7 (05) “…and move it.”

Baker says one of the big reasons for the quarantine is, among the unknowns about the scale, it may affect more than just Roseau cane.

Cut 8 (06) “…into agriculture crops.”

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The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season has delivered on its projections for below-average or near normal storm activity.  The season has only produced five named storms with two becoming hurricanes.  The hurricanes fizzled out in the Atlantic.  With nearly a month and a half without a hurricane, State Climatologist Berry Keim says that’s a relief that doesn’t occur often.

Cut 9 (07) “…August the 27th.”

Keim says we are currently in the often most-active portion of the season.  History will show late August hasn’t always been kind to the Bayou State.

Cut 10 (11) “…Isaac in 2012.”

Keim says despite the lack of hurricane activity so far, residents still need to keep their head on a swivel as anything could happen.

Cut 11 (05) “…with hurricane activity.”

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Joe Burrow is listed on the depth chart as the starting quarterback on Sunday night against eighth ranked Miami. Coach Ed Orgeron held off on publicly announcing a starter when he met with the media earlier today, because he wanted to tell the team first. Coach O says Burrow and Myles Brennan were told of the decision this morning

Cut 12 (11)   “second team quarterback”

Orgeron says the battle to be LSU’s starting quarterback went right down to the end…

Cut 13 (06) “won out”

Orgeron says the quarterbacks were graded after each practice, so Brennan and Burrow shouldn’t be surprised who won the competition

Cut 14 (08) “…deciding factor”

 

08.27.18
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2:30 LRN Newscast August 27th

Authorities say a Facebook post threat towards Louisiana Tech and Grambling State turned out to be fake. Don Molino has the story….
voicer 2 (26) “…I’m Don Molino”

It remains very quiet in the tropics as we begin the final week of August. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Louisiana has seen it’s fair share of significant storms right before Labor Day….
cut 10 (11) “…Isaac in 2012”
There hasn’t been a hurricane to track since July 13th.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron knows who will start at quarterback versus Miami on Sunday night, but he’s holding off on telling the public until the team knows. Reports say it will be Ohio State grad transfer Joe Burrow. At his weekly in-season Monday press conference, Orgeron says the battle went right down to the end…
cut 13 (06) “…won out”
Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated says Orgeron went with Burrow over Myles, because of his experience and decision-making.

The state department of wildlife and fisheries is asking duck hunters and fishermen to make sure they are not transporting Roseau cane out of south Louisiana. A quarantine is in place, because a white insect from Asia known as the Roseau cane scale is killing Roseau cane and L-D-W-F biologist director Todd Baker says the scale may affect more than just Roseau cane…
cut 8 (06) “…into agriculture crops”
Healthy Roseau cane is important in the fight against coastal land loss.

08.27.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 27

It’s game week for the 25th ranked LSU Tigers as they’ll face the 8th ranked Miami Hurricanes on Sunday night in Dallas. The Bayou Bengals are listed as a three-point underdog. Louisiana Tech, who is at South Alabama, is a 10-point favorite.

The Saints still have one more preseason game before the regular season starts. New Orleans will host the Los Angeles Rams in the exhibition finale on Thursday night. On Saturday, the Saints beat the Chargers 36-7 as quarterback Drew Brees made his first and likely last appearance of the preseason as he shook off an early interception to complete seven of nine passes for 59 yards in three series. Brees says it was good to get a taste of in-game action…
cut 17 (14) “…having fun”

The college football season begins Thursday and there will be a handful of Louisiana teams involved. ULM hosts Southeastern Louisiana. Northwestern State is at Texas A-and-M. Tulane faces Wake Forest at Yulman Stadium. The Monroe News-Star’s Adam Hunscucker reprorts defensive tackle John Washington from West Monroe has transferred from Tulane to ULM as a graduate transfer. Washington will has two of eligibility. And Tulane has officially added former LSU quarterback Justin McMillian.

The Advocate’s Rod Walker has reported the LHSAA has denied Hahnville High School’s request for an emergency appeal of the four-game suspension of head football coach Nick Saltaformaggio. But the LHSAA has set an appeal hearing date of September 13th. Also quarterback Andrew Robison has been ruled ineligible for the season, because of recruiting violations. Robison’s former school, Vandebilt Catholic, has told the LHSAA that keeping Robison from playing his senior season is too harsh of a punishment.

08.27.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast august 27

Governor John Bel Edwards says the United States has lost a great statesman and an American hero. He’s talking about Arizona Senator John McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 from brain cancer. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge was McCain’s Deputy National Campaign Manager when he ran for President in 2000. Fletcher calls McCain a brilliant politician
Cut 13 (08) “…he needed to.”
Flags at the White House have returned to full staff after they were lowered to half staff to mark the death of Senator McCain.

Louisiana Tech student Mason Andrews’ attempt to become the youngest pilot to fly around the world has been delayed because of monsoon conditions in India. A Facebook post by his father says Andrews had been in India for a week and we’ll continue his journey to Thailand once the weather clearns. Andrews left Monroe on August 1st.

Two years after his home burned down under suspicious circumstances, a Walker man has been charged with Arson with Intent to Defraud. Authorities says Jerry Avants Sr. and his alleged co-conspirators burned down his massive home to collect on the substantial insurance policy. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue….
Cut 10 (08) “…on it.“
Three other people have been arrested as well.

An LSU Engineering Professor has a bold new invention to keep Louisiana’s notoriously finicky roads from falling apart after just a few years. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

08.27.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast August 27

Many in Louisiana are remembering the life of Arizona Senator John McCain who died from brain cancer at the age of 81. His last significant moment in politics was in 2017 when he voted against President Donald Trump’s health care bill, killing the legislation. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge worked on McCain’s presidential campaign in 2000 and says McCain was a true political maverick…
Cut 15 (10) “…his own way.”

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected. It took flushing out water lines, updating drinking fountains, and other steps. LDH state health officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry…
Cut 7 (08) “…has been addressed.”
Students at the schools are accustomed to drinking water from coolers and not the water fountains.

LSU mechanical enginerinning professor Doctor Guoqiang Li (Go-Chung) says he’s developed a sealant that he believe can help keep cracks sealed on Louisiana roadways for many years to come. Li says the sealant has already demonstrated its functionality, now they’ll have to figure out how to make it cost effective…
cut 6 (09) “…viable”
Li says further testing on the sealant will take place with three departments of transportation, Texas, Louisiana and Minnesota.

A two-year investigation into a home fire in Walker has resulted in four arrests. The large home belonged to 54-year-old Jerry Avants of Walker and he was out of town at time of the blaze. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says 42-year-old Adrian Lee Everett of Prairieville admitted to burning down the home….
cut 11 (11) “…this home”
Everett and Avants were two of the suspects arrested.

08.27.18
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7:30 LRN Newscast August 27th

Funeral services are set for the late John McCain who passed away at the age of 81 from brain cancer. McCain was first elected to Congress in 1982 after a long career in the US Navy. He spent over five years as a prisoner of war. Louisiana political consultant Roy Fletcher worked on McCains 2000 presidential campaign and says the Senator’s time as a P-O-W left him badly scarred…
Cut 14 (10) “…of thing”

The state fire marshal’s office says a two-year investigation into a home fire in Walker has resulted in the arrests of four Baton Rouge-area residents. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the suspects were involved in a scheme to collect insurance money…
cut 12 (10) “…difficult cases’
Rodrigue says a confession by one of the suspects was the key break in the case.

The lawyers for the families of the two girls who were sent home from the Christ the King Catholic School in Jefferson Parish because of braided hair extensions will meet with church officials today. The plantiffs’ attorneys say the rules for hair at the school discriminate based on race. While Catholic schools superintendent Doctor RaeNel Houston says the administration is seeking racial harmony.

It appears the issues that caused dangerous levels of lead to contaminate the water supply for Tensas Parish schools have been corrected. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

08.27.18
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6:45 LRN Sportscast August 27

The Saints are back in Louisiana after a good week in California that concluded with a 36-7 preseason win over the Chargers. Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill and Tre’Quan Smith scored touchdowns on offense. On defense, recently acquired defensive back Marcus Williams returned an interception 58 yards for a score. Rookie defensive end Marcus Davenport made his preseason debut and had a half-a-sack. Coach Sean Payton liked the energy…
Cut 16 (20) “…do it”
New Orleans concludes the preseason Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams.
In preseason action last night, Arizona roughed up the Cowboys 27-3. Former LSU Tiger Patrick Peterson returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.

We should find out today, who will start at quarterback when LSU opens the season on Sunday night in Dallas against the Miami Hurricanes. Last week, Coach Ed Orgeron said the battle between Joe Burrow and Myles Brennan was close. The Tigers offense will go up against a Hurricanes defense that features three first-team All-ACC preseason picks.

Here’s the rest of the college football schedule for this week, ULM hosts Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday night. Northwestern State is at Texas A-and-M. Tulane faces Wake Forest at Yulman Stadium.

Louisiana Tech is at South Alabama. Grambling visits UL Lafayette. Southern is at 16th ranked TCU. McNeese travels to Northern Colorado, and Nicholls is at Kansas.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman won his fourth straight start as the Braves blanked the Marlins four to nothing. Gausman tossed five shutout innings and his ERA since he was traded to Atlanta is now 1.69.

08.27.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast August 27th

Governor John Bel Edwards says the United States has lost a great statesman and an American hero. He’s of course talking about Arizona Senator John McCain, who passed away at the age of 81 from a battle with brain cancer. Political consultant Roy Fletcher of Baton Rouge was McCain’s Deputy National Campaign Manager when he ran for President in 2000. Fletcher calls McCain a brilliant politician
Cut 13 (08) “…he needed to.”
Senator John Kennedy says McCain was tough as a boot.

The Louisiana Health Department says the problem of lead in the drinking water of Tensas Parish schools has been corrected. But the state’s health officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, says they will soon test drinking water in schools in other parishes…
cut 9 (05) “….fixtures with lead”

An LSU professor has invented an asphalt sealant that he says can extend the lifespan of problematic roads by years, and keep the asphalt from constantly cracking. Mechanical Engineering Professor Dr. Guoqiang (Go-Chung) Li says his invention has been in the works since a 2009 grant kick started the project, and is almost road ready. Li says he thinks his invention could save the state a lot of money.
Cut 4 (09) “…our goal”
Dr. Guoquiang says the department of transportation will test the sealant in a loading facility, where a modified truck will run over the pavement for three months straight, which is equivalent to 20 years of traffic wear and tear.