Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

08.11.18
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7:30 LRN Sportscast August 11

The Saints are back at the grind of training camp this weekend as they resume practices at their training facility in Metairie following their preseason victory over Jacksonville. Coach Sean Payton says there’s a lot to work on after reviewing the film of Thursday’s preseason opener…
cut 30 (17) “…all of that up”
The Saints next preseason game is Friday at home against Arizona.

Former LSU star Derrius Guice’s season ends before it really ever starts. Guice has suffered a torn ACL and the Washington Redskins rookie is out for the season.

The LSU football team has its first scrimmage or what Coach Ed Orgeron likes to call a preseason game today. It will be a chance for one of the four quarterbacks to make a case that he should be the starter.

The Pelicans 2018-19 schedule is out and it all starts with a trip to Houston to face the Rockets on October 17th. In a game televised by ESPN. It will be one 13 nationally televised games on either ESPN or TNT. The defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors will not visit New Orleans until the regular season finale on April 9th. LeBron James will bring the Lakers to the Smoothie King Center twice, February 23rd and March 31st.

The largest video board in college baseball is coming to LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. A 71-foot-wide, 38-foot tall videoboard will be installed beyond the left field wall before the season opener in mid-February. It will show replays and display stats. LSU Baseball Sports Information director Bill Franques says they’ll also have a new scoreboard in right field too….
cut 7 (11) “….other games”

08.10.18
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LRN PM Newscall August 10th

Governor Edwards made the rounds on Baton Rouge TV and radio after meeting President Donald Trump to discuss the state’s criminal justice reforms. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The state has entered exclusive negotiations with Dominion Voting Systems to purchase new voting equipment.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m  Kevin Barnhart”  

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Governor Edwards is back in Louisiana after speaking with President Trump about criminal justice reform efforts. During an appearance on AM Baton Rouge on Talk 107-3, the governor defended what he called progress in reducing the state’s inmate population. Edwards says the way the state used to lock up non-violent offenders wasn’t working.

Cut 3 (12) “as florida”

Critics, like Attorney General Jeff Landry and Senator John Kennedy have slammed Edwards, saying the reforms are putting dangerous criminals back on the streets. Edwards countered by saying most of the excess prisoners that boosted the state’s incarceration rate were behind bars for getting busted for holding drugs.

Cut 4 (07) “do better”

Landry and Kennedy along with outgoing DA’s Association President Ricky Babin have pointed to rearrests linked to prisoners who’ve been released under the reforms, but Edwards says the number of people released under the program who’ve been rearrested would still be under the national average of 40 percent.

Cut 5 (05)  “numbers” 

The 2017 reform package reduced the state’s prison population by allowing earlier releases for non violent offenders, as well as parole reforms allowing parolees to work towards shorter supervisory periods. 70 percent of the money saved is reinvested in programs targeting recidivism.

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The Tigers are installing the largest video board in college baseball in Alex Box Stadium and it’s set to go online for the 2019 season opener in February. The goliath sits right off left field and is 71 feet wide and nearly 38 feet tall. LSU Baseball Publicist Bill Franques says it’s really going to add to the game day experience.

Cut 6 (08) “the past.”

The 16mm high def board will air crucial replays and an expanded suite of baseball stats for metric hungry fans. But it’s not going to be the only board on the field, Franques says off in right field, a separate board will provide additional info.

Cut 7 (11) “other games.”

to 1996. And for those worried that your tax dollars are going towards a fancy new video board….

Cut 8 (11) “the game.”

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The state has entered negotiations to purchase 10-thousand voting machines from Dominion Voting Systems, Inc, but the price tag has increased to repace their current machines. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Aroin had projected the cost at $60 million, but he says the more realistic price tag is now in the ballpark of $90-95 million dollars

Cut 9 (06)  “…bring down that cost.”

Ardoin has acknowledged one of the two losing companies bidding for the voting machine contract has expressed concern the selection process may be “rigged” …

Cut 10 (10) “…15 to 20 years.”

Ardoin says the plan is for the state to replace early voting machines, five parishes at a time, starting this year.  Phase two would include Election Day machines replaced in the same manner, with full implementation expected by 2020.

Cut 11 (11) “…end up with.”

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A mother was stabbed to death while pushing her one-year-old son in a stroller in Gretna. That’s according to authorities who say the suspect 41-year-old Damone Ussin, and the victim 35-year-old Tarniel Gray of Gretna had a dating relationship. Ussin has been arrested for second degree murder and Gretna Captain Russell Lloyd says the scene created by the vicious act was hard to swallow…


Cut 12 (07)   “…face area”

Lloyd says the child was not injured and was discovered crying next to his deceased mother…

Cut 13 (08) “…his mother”

Lloyd says Ussin has an extensive criminal history and shows no sign of confessing…

Cut 14 (12) “…what to do”

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08.10.18
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11:30 LRN Newscast August 10

The disclipline has been reduced for three state troopers involved in the Las Vegas side trip scandal, after the troopers involved claimed they were made out to be the scapegoats…
Cut 2 (30) ”I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan calls President Donald Trump a “Goober” in a Tweet after the president critized players again for not standing for the national anthem. Three Miami Dolphins players took a knee last night, while Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette stayed in the locker room.

Governor John Bel Edwards made the rounds on Baton Rouge TV and radio stations this morning touting what he calls progress in the state’s efforts to improve the criminal justice syste. Critics say the reforms are too soft on crime, but Edwards countered by saying most of the excess prisoners that boosted the state’s incarceration rate were behind bars for getting busted for holding drugs.
Cut 4 (07) “do better”

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound, because of cheaper, imported seafood. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (04) “…run our prices down.”
The shrimp season is set to begin on Monday and Cooper says prices haven’t been this low since the 1980s.

08.10.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast August 10

The Saints rallied for a 24-20 win over Jacksonville in last night’s preseason opener. New Orleans defense played much better in the second half. Rookie defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence had a big night as he had five tackles and two sacks. Coach Sean Payton says it was good to see for a guy who has battled injuries…
cut 28 (20) “…getting him”
Defensive end Jayrone Elliot also had a big game, with four tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Brandon Tate and Boston Scott also looked returning kicks. The next preseason game is a week from tonight in the Superdome against the Arizona Cardinals.

An NCAA committee has denied LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton’s appeal of a two-year suspension for tampering with a drug test. That means he will not be able to play this season, unless his attorney is able to convince the NCAA to grant Fulton a waiver.

Fulton could have been a starter for the Tigers this season. LSU defensive back Terrence Alexander says the focus during camp is to get better with or without Fulton…
cut 29 (15) “…every day”

Former LSU star and Redskins running back Derius Guice went down with a knee injury in last night’s preseason game. An MRI has diagnosed it has an M-C-L sprain.

ULM will ahve a 100-play scrimmage tomorrow. The News-Star reports the Warhawks are already dealing with injuries, senior cornerback Rhoy Williams is out for the year with a torn ACL and sophomore tight end Josh Pederson has been out with an undisclosed illness.

08.10.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast August 10

During a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform, Governor John Bel Edwards told the President that the 10 laws that went effect last year to reduce the state’s prison population and improve programs to cut down on the recidivism rate have been a major win for the state…
cut 15 (09) “…with you”
Edwards also invited the President to tour the state’s pentitentary at Angola. No word if Mr. Trump will take up the governor’s invitation.

We’re approaching the two-year anniversary of the great flood of 2016 which swamped neighborhoods from Acadiana to the Baton Rouge area. A new law stemming from that incident went into effect this month. Mike Barron with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says you can now have your driver’s license suspended for two years for careless operation of a motor vehicle during flood conditions…
cut 6 (11) “….crime now”

A new shrimp season begins Monday, but Louisiana shrimpers are threatening to strike. Kevin Barnhart explains why…
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Livingston parish. According to L-S-P, Livingston Sheriff deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in Denham Springs and encountered an armed subject at a home. Shots were fired and the subject was struck and died from his injuries. No other information is available.

08.10.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast August 10

The State Police Commission significantly reduced the discpline three troopers received for their taxpayer funded side trip to Las Vegas in 2016, before arriving at a law enforcement conference in California. State Police Colonel Kevin Reeves went before the Commission arguing for a harsh punishment, as the department seeks to regain the public’s trust. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche had this reaction…
cut 9 (09) “…setback”
The FBI has been investigating former State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson for alleged improprieties during his nine-year tenure, but the probe has yet to result in any charges.

I-10 West is closed at the Scott in Lafayette Parish as a result of a crash involving an 18-wheeler that’s carrying a chemcial. The semi crossed the median and hit another vehicle. No major injuries are reported, but the closure could last several hours.

Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards is back in Louisiana after his visit with President Donald Trump to discuss criminal justice reform. The Republican President is pushing Congress to spend 50-million dollars on drug treatment, education and job skills programs. Edwards told the President the state saved 12-million dollars in the first year of its criminal justice reform effort
Cut 13 (08) “reentry”

New laws went into effect this month regarding DWI convictions. If a breathalyzer is used and the driver is convicted of a DWI, the fine for the use of that breathalyzer has been raised 50-dollars to 125-dollars. Impaired driving consultant with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Mike Barron, says judges are also now allowed to extend probation for for people convicted of multiple DWI offenses…
cut 5 (11) “….as long as eight years’

08.10.18
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7:30 LRN Newscast

Three Louisiana State Police Troopers who took a side trip to Vegas during former Superintendent Mike Edmondson’s tenure and allegedly had themselves a night out on the town at the state’s expense, had their disciplinary sentences significantly reduced by the State Police Commission. Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche says that’s highly disappointing.
Cut 7 (07) “of Louisiana.”
The commission restored the ranks of two of the troopers who were demoted and overturned a letter of reprimand for another one.

The season begins Monday for Louisiana shrimpers, but they are threatening to strike, because cheap imports have flooded the market, causing prices to drop. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says tariffs are only a temporary fix. He says a better soultion is a cap on imported shrimp….
cut 11 (04) “…where we at now”
Cooper urges consumers to buy Louisiana shrimp.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Kevin Barnhart has the details on a few of them.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Saints opened preseason play by scoring two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to beat Jacksonville 24-20 last night. But Coach Sean Payton is not happy the Jaguars scored on their first three possessions.

And after hearing his appeal, the NCAA has upheld LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton’s two-year suspension for tampering with a drug test, so he’s still ineligible to play this season.

08.10.18
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6:45 LRN sportscast

For the first time since 2014, the Saints won their preseason opener, rallying to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20 last night. But Coach Sean Payton didn’t like how the game started as the Jaguars scored on their first three possessions…
cut 28 (19) “…cleaned up”
The Saints backup quarterbacks played well as Taysom Hill was 8 of 9 for 72 yards and also rushed for 52 yards. Tom Savage directed two scoring drives and was 7 of 10 for 70 yards. A couple of players on the bubble played really well. Defensive end Jayrone Elliot forced a fumble and Devaroe Lawrence had two sacks. The next preseason game is a week from tonight in the Dome against the Cardinals.

LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton remains suspended for the 2018 season as the NCAA has upheld his two-year ban from college athletics for tampering with a drug test. Fulton’s attorney says he’ll now seek a waiver from the NCAA. LSU athletics director Joe Alleva says the the school made a strong case for reinstatement, and they are disappointed with the decision.

The LSU coaching staff hoped Fulton could start at one of the cornerback spots, as they don’t have much depth at that position. Terrance Alexander was brought in as a graduate transfer from Stanford and the former John Curtis star says they can still have a great defense without Fulton…
cut 29 (11) “…we have”
Former Evangel standout and Tigers linebacker Micah Baskerville reportedly suffered a minor foot injury that will require surgery. He’s expected back at practice before the season opener against Miami.

08.10.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast August 10

John Bel Edwards was the only elected Democrat to participate in a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform with President Donald Trump. In the portion open to the media, Edwards told the President about the efforts in the Bayou State to lower the state’s inmate population…
cut 14 (13) “…yes sir”
Edwards also invited the President to take a tour of the State’s Penitentiary at Angola.

Louisiana shrimpers say a strike could be coming soon if prices hit thirty cents a pound, because of cheaper, imported seafood. Louisiana Shrimpers Association President Acy Cooper says many of the imported shrimp from countries like Indonesia are flooding the market just before the season kicks off in the Bayou State.
Cut 10 (04) “…run our prices down.”
The shrimp season is set to begin on Monday.

Several new traffic laws went into effect as of August 1. Among those laws, were stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws on driving in flooded areas, and the use of off-road vehicles on public roads. Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for the use of a breathalyzer if the traffic stop results in a DWI conviction. The increase raises the fine to $125. Impaired driving consultant, with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Mike Barron, says that money is being reinvested into traffic safety.
Cut 4 (10) “…the DWI laws.”
Barron says lawmakers also changed existing law to give judges the ability to sentence a third and fourth-offense DWI driver to probation for up to eight years.

08.09.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast August 9

Tonight is the Saints first preseason game. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says it’s a chance for former Louisiana Tech standout Boston Scott to make an impression….
cut 28 (11) “….the NFL”
Kick-off is at 6 PM.

Meanwhile at LSU camp, Coach Ed Orgeron says a former Baton Rouge high school football star is excelling at the running back position…
cut 30 (18) “…tailback”
Orgeron says there’s been no change with the quarterbacks as far as a true depth chart and he expects it to stay that way for another week.

LSU and Florida State will play each other in football in the next few years, but the games will not be played in Baton Rouge or Tallahassee. The Tigers will host the Seminoles in the Superdome in 2022 and then next year, the two schools will face off in Orlando.

LSU has suspended sophomore linebacker Tyler Taylor after the school learns he was the alleged getaway driver in a January burglary of a pawn shop in Georgia. Taylor was not arrested until May and the school reportedly learned of the incident yesterday.

And freshman linebacker Micah Baskerville from Shreveport has reportedly suffered a foot injury that required minor surgery. He’s expected to return to practice before the season opener versus Miami.

The Pelicans have announced they signed free agent center Jahlil Okafor. Okafor was the third overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He performed well his rookie season, but last year he averaged just six points a game.