Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.30.19
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast January 30

In his first public comments since the blown pass interference call in the NFC Championship game, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that a flag should have been thrown when Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman hit Saints wide receiver TommyLee Lewis before he could catch a pass from Drew Brees. But at a press conference in Atlanta, Goodell defended the work of his officials…
cut 7 (11) “…they’re human”
Saints Coach Sean Payton also spoke with the media today. Payton said in the days after the game he locked himself in a room and watched Netflix and ate ice cream, but soon the franchise will have to move past this…
cut 4 (11) “…at it again’
19th ranked LSU looks to improve to 7-0 in the SEC when they visit Texas A-and-M tonight. The Aggies are just 1-and-5 in league play, but Tigers guard Skylar Mays says they can’t overlook A-and-M…
cut 18 (17) “…this league”
Guard TJ Starks leads the Aggies in scoring at 13-points a game, but he’s only shooting 35-percent from the floor. Tip time is at 8 PM.

Also tonight, Southeastern hosts Sam Houston State. The Bearkats are undefeated in league play, while the Lions have won four in a row. Northwestern State is at UNO and Nicholls hosts Lamar. The Colonols will look to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Pelicans host the Nuggets tonight. New Orleans will once again be without most of their starters because of injuries.

01.30.19
by

LRN PM Newscall Jan 30

Saints Coach Sean Payton responded to the heartbreaking loss in the NFC Championship like many of us after a bad break-up. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

_____________________________________________

Gueydan High School students in Vermilion Parish are back in class after an extended weekend thanks to a bat infestation.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________________________

Saints head coach Sean Payton spoke publicly today for the first time since one of the darkest days in the history of Louisiana sports, the NFC Championship loss against the LA Rams now known as the Bayou Burglary. Payton says for the first 24 hours he was angry, but in the days that followed, he resorted to coping in isolation.

Cut 3 (10) “…it’s probably sugar.”

Payton says teams encounter disappoints throughout the season, but as tough as this one is, they’ll get past it.

Cut 4 (11) “…at it again.″

Payton says he’s proud of his team’s season after winning 14 games.  He adds he has spoken with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the time since the game, but the conversation was brief.

Cut 5 (11) “…and any statement.”

_________________________________________________

NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell addressed the controversial NFC Championship no-call today at a press conference, saying he understands the fans’ frustrations, and that it was a “play we want to have called”. The commish noted the competition committee will consider rules changes over the summer addressing no-calls, but…

Cut 6 (10) “…every time”

Despite admitting it was a missed call, Goodell says he’s confident officiating in the NFL is better now than it has ever been.

Cut 7 (11) “…they’re human”

Goodell noted that suggestions that no-calls should be challengeable have been met with significant resistance in the past, due to the complicated and unforeseen consequences of such a significant expansion of officiating oversight.

Cut 8 (11) “no flag”

Saints coach Sean Payton sits on the competition committee.

______________________________________________

The eastbound side of the I-210 Bridge in Lake Charles will be shut down for the next several month while it undergoes extensive repair work starting at 9PM today. In the meantime, traffic will be maintained in both directions, but on the westbound side. DOTD spokesperson Tammy York says drivers approaching the structure should expect some new traffic diversions.

Cut 9 (12) “outside lane″

Vehicles wider than 11 feet, 18-wheelers, and buses will not be allowed on the bridge during this portion of the construction.

York says they’ll be installing a guardrail, constructing an inspection deck, and tearing up huge portions of concrete to get the bridge ready for the future.

Cut 10 (11) “…same thing”.

York is asking the public to try to avoid the bridge if at all possible in the meantime to keep traffic moving at a reasonable pace for those who rely on the structure every day.

Cut 11 (10) “to be”

____________________________

Gueydan High School in Vermilion Parish reopened today following a two-day closure for a bat infestation.  The initial bat sightings lead school leaders to believe it was a small problem, but Vermilion Schools Superintendent Jerome Puyau says  they learned there were about 600 bats inhabiting the school.

Cut 12 (09)   “…clusters of hundreds.”

Puyau says an expert had to be brought in to identify how the bats got into the area, as well as to execute a protocol for getting the bats out, as these types of bats are endangered.

Cut 13 (13) “…cave would be.”

After surveying the amount of bat droppings in the area where the bat colonies were located, Puyau says it is estimated the bats had been in the school for the better part of a decade.

Cut 14 (13) “…open that space.”

ULM has also seen the closure of Sugar Hall as the result of bats in the buildings AC vents.

01.30.19
by

1:30 LRN Newscast Jan 30

For the first time since the NFC Title game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the infamous missed pass interference call. Goodell admitted a penalty should have been called on the play. The commissioner says the competition committee will look at changing the rules to allow recourse for a blatant non-call, but he says previous suggestions that no-calls should be challengeable have been met with resistance…
cut 8 (11) “…no flag”

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that he has spoken with Goodell a couple of times following the NFC title game, but never asked the commissioner to step in and have the game replayed…
cut 5 (11) “…any statement”
And we don’t know for sure, but it appears Payton is wearing a T-shirt depicting Goodell as a clown under his polo shirt at today’s press conference.

Gueydan High School in Vermilion Parish re-opened for classes today after it was closed Monday and Tuesday due to a bat infestation. The initial bat sightings lead school leaders to believe it was a small problem, but Vermilion Schools Superintendent Jerome Puyau says it turns out there were 600 bats inhabiting the school….
Cut 12 (09) “…clusters of hundreds.”
Puyau says many of the bats have since flown out of the school since they were discovered Monday.

I-210 Eastbound lanes in Lake Charles will close tonight so that crews can conduct major work on the highway. State transportation spokesperson Tammy York…
cut 10 (11) “…same thing”
York is asking the public to try to avoid the bridge if at all possible.

01.30.19
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast January 30

Saints Coach Sean Payton spoke today for the first time since the team’s devastating loss in the NFC Championship game. Payton says he was like many fans, he stayed in his room for two to three days…
cut 28 (06) “….three straight days”
Payton says anger over the non-call lasted about 24 hours, than it was just disappointment. He says during that time several people reached out..
cut 29 (12) “…for awhile”
Payton says he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get over it, but the team will need to move on…
cut 30 (05) “…this team’
Goodell also said he briefly spoke with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but did not go into details on what was said.

The Pelicans pulled off a shocking win last night as they defeated Houston 121 to 116. New Orleans was missing five of its top six scorers, Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic, E’Twaun Moore and Julius Randle. Jrue Holiday led the way with 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a career-high six blocked shots. Davis is expected to speak Friday for the first time since his agent demanded a trade out of New Orleans.

The 19th ranked LSU Tigers will try to stay undefeated in SEC play tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are coming off an improbable win over Missouri, where they finished the game on a 15-1 run to send the game into overtime, where they eventually won. Skylar Mays says it was a great win, but they can’t forget why they were down by double digits…
cut 17 (16) “…against A-and-M.
A win for Tigers gives them their first undefeated January since 1981.

01.30.19
by

10:30 LRN Newscast January 30

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been appointed as the Republican Ranking member of a House Subcommittee on Border Security. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will likely have to break his silence today about the infamous no-call of the pass interference that happened in the final two minutes of regulation of the NFC Championship game. Goodell delivers his state of the NFL address in Atlanta at noon.

Over 14-hundred state educators are in Baton Rouge today learning from national experts on how to handle behavioral challenges in the classroom. Lisa French, with the state department of education says the goal is to see troubled students remaining in the classroom instead of going to alternative schools or being suspended and sent home.
Cut 12 (10) “…their behavior

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says if you are one of the many Louisianians who leave vacation days on the table, he’s urging you to use those days for a staycation in the Bayou State. Nungesser suggests this spot in Beauregard Parish
cut 5 (07) “….of ghosts”
Nungesser says in north Louisiana he recommends visiting the Chennault Aviation and Military museum.

01.30.19
by

9:30 LRN Newscast January 30

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been named as the top ranking Republican on a House Border Security Subcommittee. Higgins appointment comes as another federal government shutdown looms, unless President Donald Trump receives funding for a border wall…
cut 9 (12) “….my home”
Higgins says this subcommitte will be a focal point of the border security debate.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is urging Louisiana residents to take a “Staycation” this year. Nungesser says research shows that Louisiana residents do not use 25-pecent of their vacation days and suggests using vacation days to check out a couple of great World War two era historical must-sees…
cut 6 (13) “…to fly”
1400 educators have gathered today at the Raising Canes Baton Rouge River Center to discuss how to respond to children with behavioral issues. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Students at Gueydan High School in Vermilion Parish returned to school today after a bat infestation kept them home on Monday and Tuesday. School officials say most of the bats are gone and the few remaining are contained to one area. Students were given a flyer telling them how to respond if they see a bat.

01.30.19
by

8:30 LRN Newscast January 30

Two state lawmakers will urge the legislature this year to spend an additional 86-million dollars so that 114-thousand young children can receive early childhood education. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says a report from a state commission has found that one dollar invested in early education, can yield a $7.30 return…
cut 15 (11) “….investment”
173,000 children are in need of early childhood education.

Police records from the St Charles Parish Sheriff’s office shows 21-year-old Dakota Theriot had a troubled history before he killed five people on Saturday, including his parents in Gonzales. Deputies say Theriot was hallucinating when they arrested him in 2017 after he allegedly threatened to burn his family’s home down. The Advocate reports Theriot was diagnosed with “substance-induced mood swings.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been named as the Top Republican on a Subcommittee of Border Security, Facilitation and Operations. Higgins says he expects the subcommittee to be one of the more contentious in the 116th Congress, and he wants to unify both sides of the border security debate.
Cut 8 (07) “…as a country.”
Higgins is optimistic an agreement will be reached on border wall funding before another possible government shutdown next month.

A report shows Louisianans are not using 8.9 million vacation days a year, 27th most in the nation. So Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says now is a great time to start planning your “Staycation” for this year. To start, he recommends the overlooked beauty of a bayou southwest of New Orleans.
Cut 4 (08) “state park”

01.30.19
by

7:30 LRN Newscast January 30

Saints fans would say that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell comes out of hiding today. That’s because he’s holding a press conference in Atlanta, the site of this year’s Super Bowl. Goodell normally does a state of the league address during Super Bowl week, but you can bet he’ll be asked about the infamous no pass interference call in the NFC Championship game.

A report shows Louisianans do not use a quarter of their vacation days that they earn every year, and the Lt. Governor says he has a fix for that…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A state commission proposes spending an additional 86-million dollars on early childhood education. The funding plan, called LA B to 3, aims to provide assistance to a total of 114,000 children three and under. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says it’s a crucial first step.
cut 13 (11) “…from that”
A report says only half of Louisiana kindergarten students are considered ready for school.

Students’ behavior is another critical area in education. About 14-hundred educators are in Baton Rouge today for a summit on the issue. Lisa French with the state department of education says national experts will discuss methods on how to keep troubled students from dropping out or being sent to an alternative school…
cut 10 (11) “..curriculum”

01.30.19
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast January 30

The Pelicans went into Houston last night and without Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle, E’Twaun Moore and Elfird Payton, New Orleans still found a way to beat Houston 121 to 116, despite 37 points from James Harden. New Orleans got a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds from Jahlil Okafor. Meanwhile, the league has fined Davis 50-thousand dollars, because his agent went public with his trade demands.

19th ranked LSU will look to extend its winning streak to 10 games tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers are coming off a remarkable victory, where they rallied from 14 points down late in the second half to beat Missouri on their home floor. LSU guard Tremont Waters says that win shows a lot about their team…
cut 16 (13) “…fight to the end”
Tip off is at 8 PM.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses reporters today in Atlanta and you can bet your dollar bottom that he’ll be asked about the infamous no pass interference call towards the end of regulation in the NFC Championship game. Goodell or the league has not addressed the controversy to this point.

And not to be outdone, Saints Coach Sean Payton will have his end of the season press conference at 10 AM.

The NCAA will consider changes to its overtime format in college football. There’s a concern about an increased injury risk when the O-T periods continue to pile up, like they did when LSU lost to Texas A-and-M in seven overtimes in November. The overtime changes will be discussed when a rules committee meets during the last week of February. The panel will also discuss changes to the targeting rule and look at a proposal to make less serious targeting calls not an automatic ejection.

College hoops tonight…Southeastern hosts Sam Houston, while Lamar is at Nicholls.

01.30.19
by

6:30 LRN Newscast Jan 30

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been named the top Republican of the Subcommittee of Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations, which is responsible for all aspects of security ops along land, air, and maritime borders. It’s an appointment that Higgins will not take lightly.
Cut 7 (10) “…our southern border.”

A state panel is proposing that Louisiana spend an additional 86-million dollars this year to provide 114 of the 173-thousand children that need early childhood education. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is behind the effort…
cut 14 (10) “…an example”
Mizell says less than a third of three-year-olds can access quality childcare in Louisiana.

About 14-hundred educators gather in Baton Rouge for what the state department of education calls a Behaviorial Intervention Summit. Chief of Staff of the Office of Student Opportunities at the state department of education, Lisa French, says the summit is a first in the state and comes as a response to behavioral issues faced in the classroom, in an effort to identify the best implementation of appropriate interventions.
Cut 11 (10) “…in this space.”
French says the goal is to see the behavioral needs being met with students remaining in the classroom instead of going to alternative schools or being suspended and sent home.