Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.25.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast March 25

LSU is one of the 16 teams still alive in the NCAA Basketball Tournament after a heart stopping 69-67 win over Maryland. For the second straight game, the Tigers nearly let a double digit second half lead slip away, but Tremont Waters last second layup preserved the victory. Interim head coach Tony Benford gives credit to the players…
Cut 13 (11) “…keep moving on”
The Tigers are in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2006 and LSU will face Michigan State in DC on Friday. It’s the second ever meeting on the hardwood between the two programs.

Pro Football Talk reports tight end Jared Cook remains committed to signing with the Saints, even though the Patriots need a tight end to replace the retiring Rob Gronkowski. The 31-year-old Cook is reportedly close to signing a deal with the Black and Gold.

The LSU baseball team dropped its series with 5th ranked Georgia with a nine to seven loss on Sunday. The Tigers nearly came back from a 6-1 deficit in the eighth inning. The Tigers are now 4-2 in the SEC. They’ll host McNeese on Tuesday and then visit another Top 5 team on Thursday when they begin a series versus Mississippi State.

The Ragin Cajuns also dropped two of three this weekend. Appalachian State beat UL Lafayette 6-5 yesterday as the Mountaineers scored two runs in the ninth inning to win.

ULM was swept by Texas State. Southeastern Louisiana swept Abilene Christian, winning the final game of the series eight to three.

Northwestern State and Nicholls are both 5-and-4 in the Southland. The Demons defeated Lamar 10 to 6, while the Colonels doubled up Texas A-and-M Corupus Christi six to three.

Louisiana Tech took two of three from Middle Tennessee as they defeated the Blue Raiders 10 to five yesterday. Philip Matulia drove in four runs.

And Southern is now 8-and-1 in the SWAC after the Jaguars swept Grambling.

03.25.19
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9:30 LRN Newscast March 25

A West Carroll Parish woman faces life in prison after she allegedly shot and killed one person and critically injured two others early Saturday morning at Blackberry’s Bar and Billards in Lake Providence. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 34-year-old Quinessiah Sanders of Epps fatally shot Cheryl Lewis…
cut 6 (09) “…to the shooting”
Sanders turned herself in and she’s been booked at the Riverbend Detention Center.

The L-H-C Group has broken ground on a Lafayette Home office that will create an additional 500 jobs in Acadiana. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says L-H-C is the nation’s number two company for home health care…
Cut 11 (12) “their growth”
The LHC Group started in 1994 as a single home health agency in St. Landry Parish. It recently merged with Almost Family and now operates in 36 states.

A new report finds that subscriptions to streaming services outnumber cable TV subscribers. LSU director of student media John Friscia says the compeitive prices of streaming have made cable consumers do a double take…
cut 8 (09) “….cheaper price”

A former Caddo Parish animal shelter worker can’t be around animals for five years after he pleaded guilty to crimes against nature. Kevin Barnhart spoke with Caddo Parish district attorney spokesperson John Prime
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

03.25.19
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8:30 LRN Newscast March 25

LSU is one of the 16 teams still alive in the NCAA Basketball Tournament after a heart stopping 69-67 win over Maryland. For the second straight game, the Tigers nearly let a double digit second half lead slip away, but Tremont Waters driving layup with one second left preserved the victory. Interim head coach Tony Benford gives credit to the players…
Cut 13 (11) “…keep moving on”
LSU will face Michigan State in DC on Friday.

The newly released February employment numbers show nonfarm employment has grown for a 12th consecutive month. The Louisiana Workforce Commission says there were 59-hundred more nonfarm jobs in February 2019, compared to the previous February. LWC chief economist Ali Bustamante says the strongest job growth is with education and health services…
Cut 10 (11) “…last year”

New research shows for the first time ever more Americans subscribe to streaming services like Netflix, and Hulu rather than cable providers, 69 percent to 65 percent. LSU Director of Student Media John Friscia says the majority of his students’ prefer streaming…
Cut 7 (11) “…such as that”
The report says the average household subscribed to three paid streaming services.

43-year-old Booker Thomas of Shreveport has received a three-year suspended prison sentence after he admitted to encouraging a coworker at a Caddo animal shelter to have sex with a pitbull. Caddo Parish District Attorney spokesperson John Prime says Thomas can also no longer live or work with any animals for five years…
cut 6 (10) “…for sex offenders’
The woman involved previously received an 18-month suspended sentence.

03.25.19
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7:30 LRN Newscast March 25

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise says the Mueller Report completely vindicates President Donald Trump and calls the investigation a “witch hunt.” But Democrats say the entire report should be released. U-S Attorney General William Barr says the lengthy investigation did not find evidence that the President conspired or coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

New numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission show the state added over five-thousand nonfarm jobs from February 2018 to this past February. Connor Ferrill has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

The Motion Picture Association of America’s annual report finds that the number of subscriptions to online video services has topped cable TV packages for the first time. Director of Student Media at LSU, John Friscia, says the trend is not surprising and will likely not slow down…
cut 9 (10) “….tipping point”
The M-P-A-A report does say that many people have both a cable service and an online subscription.

A now-former animal shelter worker has pleaded guilty to crimes against nature following the accusations he encouraged a coworker at the shelter to have sex with a dog. Caddo Parish district attorney spokesperson John Prime says 43-year-old Booker Thomas of Shreveport received a three-year suspended sentence…
Cut 4 (11) “…3 months later.”
Thomas has been ordered that he can also not work with animals or have pets for the next five years.

03.25.19
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6:45 LRN Sportscast March 25

LSU basketball will face Michigan state for just the second time in program history on Friday night in the Sweet 16 as the two teams will meet in Washington D-C. The tip is set for 6:09 on Friday. The Tigers advanced to the East Regional semifinal with a 69-67 win over Maryland. LSU has won its fair share of close games this season and Interim Head Coach Tony Benford credits the belief system installed into the players…
cut 14 (12) “…win this game”
Michigan State advanced to the Sweet 16 after an easy win over Minnesota.

Tough series in Athens for the LSU baseball team as they dropped two out of three to Georgia. The Bulldogs pulled out a nine seven victory over the Tigers yesterday, despite home runs by LSU’s Josh Smith and Daniel Cabrera. LSU is 4-2 in the SEC.

The NFL owners meetings get underway today. The owners will consider several different proposals to expand instant replay as a result of the blown call in the NFC Championship game. It’s possible the owners will delay a vote on these suggestions until their May meeting.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has announced his retirement. The Saints have been trying to sign former Raiders tight end Jared Cook, but a deal is not official and now the Patriots are said to be interested in signing Cook to replace Gronk.

03.25.19
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6:30 LRN newscast March 25

New research gives more of an indication on how many people are cutting the cord when it comes to cable. Conner Ferrill has the story…
voicer 2 (28) “…..I’m Conner Ferrill”

The LSU mens’ basketball team is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2006 thanks Tremont Water’s game-winning shot with one second left to give the Tigers a two-point win over Maryland. Interim head coach Tony Benford says they knew who they wanted to take the final shot..
cut 15 (09) “….us today”
The Tigers face Michigan State on Friday night in D-C.

Strange story out of northwest Louisiana as a now former animal shelter worker pleaded guilty to crimes against nature after he encouraged a coworker at the shelter to have sex with a dog. Caddo Parish district attorney spokesperson John Prime says 43-year-old Booker Thomas was given a three year suspended sentence. Prime says the woman admitted to following through with the act said there is video of the incident on Thomas’ cell phone, but the footage was never located…
cut 5 (12) “…with another woman”
Thomas has been ordered that he cannot live or work with any animals for five years.

03.25.19
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Revised LRN AM Newscall March 25

A former Caddo Parish animal shelter worker has had to give up all pets and can’t be around animals for five years after he pleaded guilty to crimes against nature.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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New research shows cable may have met its match. Connor Ferrill has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”  

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New numbers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission show the state added over five-thousand nonfarm jobs from February 2018 to this past February. Connor Ferrill has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

__________________________________

A now-former animal shelter worker has pleaded guilty to crimes against nature following the accusations he encouraged a coworker at the shelter to have sex with a dog. Caddo Parish DA spokesperson John Prime says 43-year-old Booker Thomas of Shreveport was facing up to five years in the prison for his participation.

Cut 4 (11) “…3 months later.”

Prime says the woman who admitted to following through with act said there was video of the incident on Thomas’s cell phone, but that footage was never located.

Cut 5 (12) “…with another woman.”

Thomas is now being kept on a short leash asPrime says he was sentenced to three years hard labor, suspended, three years active supervision, ordered to relinquish custody of all animals, and cannot be live or work with any animals for five years.

Cut 6 (10) “…for sex offenders.”

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Newly released research shows for the first time ever more Americans are subscribed to streaming services like Netflix, and Hulu rather than cable providers, 69 percent to 65 percent. Director of Student Media at LSU John Friscia says the majority of his students’ preference for streaming is telling of cable’s fate…

Cut 7 (11) “…such as that”

On average households subscribed to 3 paid streaming services in late 2018.

Friscia says the competitive prices of streaming have made cable consumers do a double take…

Cut 8 (09) “…cheaper price”

Friscia says the trend is not surprising and it’s not going to slow down…

Cut 9 (10) “…tipping point″

__________________________

The recently released February employment numbers show nonfarm employment has grown for a 12th consecutive month. The Louisiana Workforce Commission there were 59-hundred more nonfarm jobs in February 2019, compared to the previous February. L-W-C chief economist Ali Bustamante says the strongest industry is the education and health services industry…

Cut 10 (11) “…last year”

The number of health care jobs will continue to grow as L-H-C Group has broken ground on a Lafayette Home office that will create an additional 500 jobs in Acadiana. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says L-H-C is the nation’s number two company for home health care…

Cut 11 (12) “their growth”

The LHC Group started in 1994 as a single home health agency in St. Landry Parish. It recently merged with Almost Family and now operates in 36 states. It’s 32-thousand employees deliver home health, hospice, home and community-based services to those 65 and older.

Pierson says Lafayette has seen some big economic wins recently with the announcement of a helicopter manufacturer coming to the airport and the expansion of Waitr….

Cut 12 (11) “…as well.”

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The LSU men’s basketball team is one of the 16 teams still alive in the NCAA Tournament after a heart stopping 69-67 win over Maryland on Saturday in Jacksonville. For the second straight game in the tournament, the Tigers nearly let a double digit second half lead slip away, but Tremont Waters driving layup with one second left preserved the victory.  Interim head coach Tony Benford gives the credit to the players…

Cut 13 (11) “…keep moving on”

LSU is 28-6 on the season and they will play Michigan State on Friday night in Washington D-C. The Tigers have won their fair share of close games this season and Benford credits the believe system that’s been installed in these players…

Cut 14 (12) “…win this game”

Waters has made big buckets all season long and Benford says they knew who they wanted to take the final shot in regulation on Saturday….

Cut 15 (09) “…us today.”

03.23.19
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7:30 sportscast March 23

LSU basketball will look to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006 when they face sixth seeded Maryland for an 11:10 tip time. The Terrapins feature two big post players in Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith. Fernando is an NBA prospect who averages a double-double. LSU big man Kavell Bigby-Williams on the match-up…
cut 13 (08) “…for them”
Interim head coach Tony Benford says whoever wins the battle in the paint and on the glass will advance.

LSU’s Zach Hess won last night’s pitcher’s duel in Athens as Hess threw eight shutout innings in a 1-0 win over 5th ranked Georgia. Hess scattered eight hits and struck out nine, while Devin Fontenot earned his first career save. Antoine Duplantis scored on Daniel Cabrera’s sacrifice fly for the only run of the game. Game two of the series is at noon.

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The Saints are reportedly on the verge of signing tight end Jared Cook. Nothing is official yet, but Cook said he’s a big fan of Drew Brees and it will be awesome to catch passes from Brees. The 10-year veteran of the NFL caught a career-high 68 passes for 896 yards and six touchdowns for the Raiders last season and made his first pro bowl.

At LSU pro day, cornerback Greedy Williams declared he’s the best cornerback in the NFL draft. Williams had eight career interceptions in Tiger Town, while Georgia’s Deandre Baker had seven, but it was Williams who won the Jim Thorpe Award which goes to the nation’s top corner.
In college baseball last night, Louisiana Tech downed Middle Tennessee five to one. Matt Miller allowed one earned run in the victory. Tanner Huddleston and Parker Bates each drove in two runs.

Cajuns blew a 4-0 lead and lost to Appalachian State 6-5. Texas State downed ULM five to one, Southern crushed Grambling 18-8. Southeastern Louisiana clobbered Abilene Christian 14-1, Nicholls over Corpus-Christi five to three, Lamar edged Northwestern State four to three and Incarnate Word over McNeese four to one.

03.22.19
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU can secure a spot in the Sweet 16 tomorrow when they face Maryland in round two of the East Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Terrapins have two big post players in Bruno Fernando and Jalen Smith. Fernando is a big-time NBA prospect who averages a double-double. Interim head coach Tony Benford says this game will come down to who wins the paint and the rebounding battle…
cut 14 (10) “…great matchup”
Tip off is at 11:10.

Great matchup in college baseball this weekend as 7th ranked LSU visits 5th ranked Georgia. The Bulldogs are 19-2 and have won 10 in a row. The Tigers have won five straight, but they are looking for their first win on the road this season. First pitch is at 6 PM.

Also, La Tech is at Middle Tennessee, ULM visits Texas State and the Cajuns host Appalachian State and Grambling is at Southern.

The Saints have reportedly signed defensive back and returner Marcus Sherels, who has spent all eight of his seasons in the NFL with the Vikings. Sherels is the all-time leader in Vikings history for punt returns for touchdowns. He averaged 12 yards a punt return last season. New Orleans ranked in the NFL’s bottom in punt returns the last two seasons.

It was Pro Day at LSU today, representatives from all 32 teams were there. Greedy Williams told reporters he’s the best cornerback in the NFL draft.

LSU gymnastics looks to defend its SEC meet championship when they compete against seven other Southeastern Conference schools at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Saturday. Coach DD Breaux says tickets are going fast…
cut 8 (11) “…conference”
LSU is the top seed and the Tigers will compete in the second session at 7 PM.

03.22.19
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

The LSU men’s basketball team survived and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 79-74 win over Yale yesterday in Jacksonville. Guard Tremont Waters was one of four Tiger players in double figures with 15 points…
cut 10 (11) “…the best”
LSU’s next opponent is the Maryland Terrapins, who are 23-10 on the season. One of there best players is Bruno Fernando, a six-foot-10 forward, who is a future NBA lottery draft pick. Tip time tomorrow is at 11:10.

Following yesterday’s win over Yale, Alleva told Jeff Goodman of the Stadium that he wishes suspended head coach Will Wade would just come to him and tell the truth and that Alleva can handle the truth even it’s bad. Wade has been suspended for two weeks and has said he can’t talk about a purported FBI wiretap under the advice of his legal counsel.

Former LSU Tiger Shaquille O’ Neal will be the new face of Papa John’s Pizza and he’s the pizza maker’s newest board member. O’Neal is also investing in nine Papa John’s restaurants in Atlanta. The endorsement deal will net the Hall of Fame basketball player a reported 8.25 million dollars.

The 7th ranked LSU baseball team is in Athens for the weekend for a big three-game series against 5th ranked Georgia. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri on the 19-and-2 Bulldogs…
Cut 16 (10) “…power arms”
LSU will face one of the top sophomore pitchers in the country tonight. Georgia right-hander Emerson Hancock is 5-0 with an E-R-A well below one. First pitch tonight is 6 PM local time.

Also, ULM basketball has advanced to the second round of the C-I-T Tournament as the Warhawks defeated Kent State 87-77. Travis Munnings had 28 points, nine rebounds, and four assists last night.