Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

06.26.18
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6:45 LRN Sportscast June 26th

Pelicans star Anthony Davis came away empty handed from last night’s NBA Awards Show. Davis did not receive the Defensive Player of the Year award. That instead went to Utah’s Rudy Gobert. A-D was also a finalist for M-V-P, but as expected that award went to Houston’s James Harden. Former LSU standout Ben Simmons won the Rookie of the Year Award.

Former LSU basketball coach Johnny Jones has a new head coaching gig as Texas Southern has hired the DeRidder native. Jones will replace Mike Davis, who led the SWAC school to two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. The 57-year-old Jones was fired by LSU in March of 2017.

The LSU football program added another verbal commitment yesterday. Three-star Inside linebacker Kendall McCallum has announced he’s heading to LSU after high school sgraduation. The Oxford, Alabama product also considered Ole Miss and Missouri. 24-7 ranks LSU’s 2019 recruiting class as third best in the country, behind Alabama and Texas A-and-M.

LSU-Eunice’s Zach Hester has been named the national junior college division two player of the year. The right-hander from Texas was 13-and-1 with a 2.34 ERA with 133 strikeoutes as he helped LSU-E win a national title.

Mississippi State has named Chris Lemonis as its new head baseball coach. The 48-year-old has led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons. Lemonis replaces interim coach Gary Henderson, who just led the Bulldogs to a surprise trip to the College World Series.

Game one of the championship series of the C-W-S was rained out last night. So they will try again tonight at 6 PM. Arkansas will send Blaine Knight to the hill. He’s 13-0 while Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich will go for the Beavers. He’s 16-2 on the year.

06.26.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast June 26th

Louisiana’s sales tax rate will drop from five-percent to 4.45 percent on Saturday. But Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh takes issue with the governor’s claim that it’s a tax cut, because the sales tax was scheduled to go down to four-percent on July 1st.
Cut 10 (10) “dice it.”

And according to the Tax Foundation, the state’s new combined state and local sales tax will still be the highest in the country at 9.47-percent, slightly higher than Tennessee. But Tax Foundation economist Scott Drenkard says Louisiana ranks much lower when it comes to property and state income taxes…
cut 9 (13) “…six percent”

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s office is hoping to make an arrest soon in the the death of a 20-year-old woman. Sheriff Bud Torres says their investigation started yesterday morning….
cut 13 (07) “….foul play”
The victim has been identified as Madeline Falgout and Torres says the murder weapon appears to be a baseball bat and detectives have a person of interest.

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies believe a man and woman found shot in a vehicle along I-55 north near Amite is a possible attempt at murder-suicide. At last report, both subjects are in critical, but yet stable condition. And the sheriff’s office says the two individuals are not local residents.

06.25.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU football added another commitment to its 2019 recruiting class today. Three-star Alabama linebacker Kendall McCallum became the seventh verbal pledge for the Tigers in as many days. He chose the Bayou Bengals over Ole Miss and Missouri. He’s ranked as the 25th best inside linebacker for the Class of 2019. Shea Dixon of 24-7 sports says LSU has seen its team ranking jump in the last two weeks from outside the Top 15 to number three…
cut 19 (13) “….the moment”
Alabama and Texas A-and-M are the two schools ranked ahead of LSU.

Former LSU Head basketball coach Johnny Jones has landed another head coaching gig. Texas Southern has reportedly hired the DeRidder native, who was fired from LSU In March 2017.

The NBA is handing out a bunch of awards tonight and the Pelicans Anthony Davis is up for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. James Harden and Lebron James are the two MVP finalists. Davis has a better chance at Defensive Player of the Year, where he’s up against Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid.

LSU baseball signee Brice Turang has yet to sign with the Brewers, after Milwaukee selected the shortstop from California in the first round. He’s been labeled as the next Alex Bregman and has until July 6th to sign with the Brewers.

Speaking of Bregman, he’s been slumping at the plate, so during the middle of yesterday’s game he shaved his mustache. Bregman still went hitles in yestrday’s game and made an error, but Houston still beat Kansas City eleven to three. The Stros host Toronto tonight.

And tonight is Game One of the College World Series as Arkansas tries to become the fifth SEC Team to win the C-W-S since 2009. The Beavers are trying to win their first title since 2007.

06.25.18
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15:30 LRN Newscast June 25th

Two people were found shot in a parked vehicle on Interstate 55 near the Amite overpass. That’s according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office, who has deputies at the scene and State Police is assisting with traffic. Motorists should expect to see delays in the area.

The Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s office is investigating the death of a 20-year-old woman. Investigators say the door of the home belonging to Madeline Falgout was kicked in and she was found unresponsive inside her home at 10:45 this morning. No arrests have been made.

The calendar says It’s the first full week of summer and State Climatologist Barry Keim says it sure feels like it outside….
cut 10 (13) “…this time of year”
Political analyst Clancy Dubos says the big winner from the third special session is the public. That’s because lawmakers approved a sales tax plan that fully funds TOPS, public colleges, the food stamp program and health care. And Dubos says the state sales tax rate will go down just over a half-percent on Saturday….
cut 7 (10) “…this program”

The legislature appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says there other facilites are outdated….
Cut 3 (12) “those facilities.”
The facility will house juvenile offenders who have been classified as a threat to the community, and not eligible for community based rehab.

06.25.18
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LRN PM Newscall June 25th

The legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will provide funding to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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The newly passed budget and tax plan has Louisianans taking stock of the two brutal years of fiscal uncertainty that led to last night’s compromise deal. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says it provides relief to an overburdened system.

Cut 3 (12) “those facilities.”

The facility will house juvenile offenders who have been classified as a threat to the community, and thus are not eligible for community based rehabilitation.

Bueche says the new location will build on modern therapeutic research that shows better outcomes for kids who get a good education while being treated, and receive specialized care.

Cut 4  (09) “the dorm.”

High school diploma programs, and vocational training will be offered.

Bueche says he trusts that if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.

Cut 5  (10) “manner.”

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After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. The finalizing of a compromise of 4.45 percent sales tax has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

The fiscal cliff was the result of one-point-four-billion dollars in expiring taxes. Because of additional state income tax revenues as a result of federal tax reform and some spending reductions, only 466 million of the expiring taxes were needed to fund TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare. DuBos says that equates to a tax cut relative to what you paid last year.

Cut 7 (10)  “this program”

Most of the tax plan has a seven-year sunset, setting up another round of budget battles in 2025, unless a permanent tax reform plan can be enacted. There’s growing interest in a constitutional convention to facilitate that reform, but DuBos says many opponents are worried about just who would run the convention.

 

cut 8 (11) “for everybody”

This year a majority of the House voted for a constitutional convention, but came shy of the 70 votes needed to send the measure to a popular vote.

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Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover.

cut 9 (12)  “…between 100 to 110.”

Keim says the conditions will likely run through this upcoming weekend and that the morning temps will see the biggest jump compared to average levels for this time of the year.

Cut 10 (13) “…this time of year”

Keim does recommend to utilize caution with such intense heat in the area.

Cut 11 (07) “…just a bit”

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After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  The St. Landry Parish convenience store has produced other big lottery winners in recent months and news of the luck at the establishment has gotten around.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail, says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.

Cut 12 (08)   “…somebody got lucky again.”

The Powerball ticket sold over the weekend has yet to be claimed.  Sohail explains that although this particular winner didn’t match up all the numbers with the recent drawing, it was enough to land the sizable prize.

Cut 13 (10) “…with a power play.” 

Among those that have seen the luck of the store is Sohail himself, who in December won $350,000 playing the Louisiana Lottery.  He is also expecting a kickback from this most recent win at his store.

Cut 14 (08)  “…still getting lucky.”

06.25.18
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1:30 LRN Newscast June 25th

The special session came to a close last night with lawmakers approving legislation that fully funds TOPS, higher ed, health care and reduces cuts in corrections, juvenile justice and other areas. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 15 (09) “:…compromise is”
Edwards says the legislature’s decision to set the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent until July 2025, will give the state budget stability for the next seven years.

Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects to see a continuing effort for a constitutional convention, which several lawmakers say is needed for more budget and tax reform. But Dubos…
cut 8 (11) “…for everybody”

The state legislature has appropriated the four-million dollars needed to begin operating a juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Doctor James Bueche says young offenders at this facility will receive good education and specialized care…
cut 4 (09) “….the dorm”
Bueche says once fully funded, the facility will house 72 individuals.

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer. The St. Landry Parish convenience store has produced other big lottery winners in recent months and news of the luck at the establishment has gotten around. .
Cut 12 (08) “…somebody got lucky again.”
The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail, says he won 350-thousand dollars in December playing Louisiana Lotto, while no one has yet to claim the two-million dollar Powerball ticket from this past weekend.

06.25.18
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11:30 LRN Newscast June 25th

A budget and sales tax deal is on its way to the governor’s desk that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, and sets the state’s sales tax rate at 4.45% on July 1st through mid-2025. The bill raises 463-million dollars for next fiscal year. Mandeville Republican Senator Jack Donahue says it’s the compromise the legislature needed to get done…
cut 10 (11) “….this state”
After the third special session of the year ended last night, Governor John Bel Edwards thanked lawmakers for finding courage to compromise and put Louisiana first…
cut 14 (11) “…as well”

The legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will provide funding to begin operating a new Juvenile Justice facility in Bunkie. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Lottery says a Powerball ticket purchased at One Stop in Grand Coteau in St. Landry Parish is worth two-million dollars. That ticket matches the five regular numbers in Saturday’s drawing and the ticket had a powerplay multiplier which doubled the winnings to two million dollars.

06.25.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast June 25th

The LSU football program received five verbal pledges in five days and now 24-7 sports has the Tigers ranked as having the third best recruiting class for 2019. Yesterday, three-star cornerback Cordale Flott de-committed from Auburn and flipped to LSU. The Tigers also landed a pair of junior college prospects since Friday night. Copiah-Lincoln Community college tight end TK McClendon and Eastern Arizona Community College defensive back Dreshun Miller. 24-seven-sports-dot-com’s Shea Dixon really likes the addition of Miller…
Cut 18 (19) “the country”
LSU’s 2019 recruiting class consists of two five-star commitments and six-four star prospects.

The NBA Awards are tonight and the Pelicans Anthony Davis is a finalist for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. LeBron James and James Harden are also in the running for MVP. Rudy Gobert and Joel Embid are the other two finalists for Defensive Player of the Year.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named Northwestern State’s David Fry as the hitter of the year. The senior hit .336 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs. The Demons Bobby Barbier was named Coach of the Year as Northwestern State won the Southland Conference Tournament. Ragin Cajuns’ Colton Schmidt was named Pitcher of Year as he went 7-0 with a 2.45 ERA. LSU’s Daniel Cabrera is the Freshman of the Year.

LSU baseball still waiting to see if Brice Turang will come to Baton Rouge or sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, who selected the shortstop in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

And there’s some sad news to pass along, Eunice native Jason Johnson died his injuries sustained during a bad wreck at a World of Outlaws race in Wisconsin. He was just 41-years-old.

06.25.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast June 25th

With a new fiscal year set to begin on Saturday, state lawmakers finally agreed on a sales tax plan that prevents Louisiana from going over the fiscal cliff, which would have resulted in deep cuts to colleges, TOPS and public safety programs. Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign the measure that renews .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax…
cut 16 (12) “…divides us”

A group of Republican US Senators will head to Russia this week, including Louisiana’s John Kennedy. Kennedy says he wants to establish some rapport with high-ranking government officials and he hopes one of those meetings will include Russian President Valdimir Putin.
Cut 7 (10) “…Russian economy.”
Kennedy says he’s heard the Russian economy is in shambles, because they are spending their money on Syria and weaponry.

Big fundraiser takes place tonight for Republican Josh Guillory, who is an attorney that’s seeking to unseat fellow Republican Clay Higgins as the Congressman for southwest Louisiana. President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Guiliani is the headliner for the fundraiser, but Mr. Trump has endorsed Guillory. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says President Trump’s endorsement of Higgins will lead to more votes for the incumbent Congressman than Giuliani’s fundraising efforts for Guillory…
Cut 6 (13) “…called weird.”

The auto racing world is mourning the death of Sprint car driver Jason Johnson of Eunice. Johnson died from his injuries sutained in a wreck during a World of Outlaws race Saturday night in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The crash happened on lap 18 of a 40-lap race as Johnson was racing for the lead. He was 41-years-old.

06.25.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast June 25th

Governor John Bel Edwards is celebrating the passage of a budget deal that he says will fully fund the state’s most critical priorities in a responsible way. Edwards made these remarks last night following the end of the special session…
Cut 14 (11) “as well”
The key legislation is a sales tax bill that will set the rate at 4.45 percent as of July 1st and stay that way until July 2025. The sales tax rate was set to drop to 4-percent on Saturday. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt blames the governor as a reason why consumers will pay higher taxes…
cut 12 (11) “…priorities”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani continues his support of Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory today in Lafayette. Michael Farrar has the story.
Cut 1 (29) I’m Michael Farrar.“

A group of US Senators, including Louisiana’s John Kennedy, will travel to Russia later this week. Kennedy says the goal is to establish some rappport with high-ranking government officials…
cut 8 (06) “…our common problems”
Kennedy says he wants to find out more about Russia’s economy and he says allegations that Russia interfered with the presidential election in 2016 will also be brought up.