Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

01.12.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The 12th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team had its biggest win of the season yesterday, handing second-ranked Texas its first loss of the year as the Lady Tigers downed the Longhorns 70-65. Coach Kim Mulkey said her team lacked toughness when they suffered back-to-back losses to open up SEC play. That was not the case on Sunday against U-T…

Cut 16 (06) “…couple of games ago”

Bossier City’s Mikaylah Williams had 20 points to lead the way.

Lane Kiffin has signed a quarterback out of the transfer portal. His name is Landen Clark and he’s an FCS All-American from Elon College. Clark threw for 2,321 yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for the Phoenix. Clark also rushed for 614 yards and had a school-record 11 touchdowns.

LSU also had a visit this past weekend from Husan Longstreet from USC. And former Arizona State star Sam Leavitt also remains a possibility.

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The LSU men’s basketball team is the only winless team in conference play in the SEC after falling to 0-3 on Saturday with an 84-73 loss to 11th ranked Vanderbilt. The Tigers host Kentucky on Wednesday and then Mizzou on Saturday.

ULM is also the only winless team in the Sun Belt, while the Cajuns are 2-and-4 in league play after losing by 20 points to Troy on Saturday.

Louisiana Tech snapped a three-game losing streak with a 70-68 win in overtime over Delaware.

Big game in the Southland tonight as Nicholls is at McNeese. The Colonels are 7-0 in league play while the Cowboys are 6-1.

In Major League Baseball…former LSU star Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. Bregman’s contract is five years for $175 million.

Saints receiver Chris Olave was voted second-team All-Pro after catching 100 passes. Olave ranked seventh in the NFL in receptions and eighth in receiving yards.

01.09.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU has yet to sign a quarterback and it is unclear who Q-B 1 will be in 2026. Demond Williams Junior seemed like he could be the guy, but the talented signal caller announced yesterday he’s staying at Washington.

 

Former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt spent two days on LSU’s campus earlier this week, but he’s still at Tennessee after leaving Baton Rouge for Knoxville on Wednesday. On3 sports is reporting Tennessee has a legitimate chance at landing Leavitt.

 

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon University, an FCS school in North Carolina. Clark put up good numbers as a freshman, 23-hundred yards passing, six-hundred rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns.

 

LSU also offered junior college quarterback Tre Guerra, who threw for 38-hundred yards, 29 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions at Tyler Junior College.

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LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis can stop doing double-duty. Weis has been Ole Miss’s play caller in the college football playoffs, but the Rebels’ run ended last night with a 31-27 loss to Miami. The Hurricanes will play the winner of tonight’s game between Indiana and Oregon for the national championship.

 

In basketball, the 12th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers looked more like themselves last night as they defeated Georgia 80-59. Flau’jae Johnson did not score in Sunday’s loss to Vanderbilt, but she scored 25 points last night and surpassed 18-hundred points for her career. LSU hosts second-ranked Texas on Sunday.

 

On the men’s side, the Ragin Cajuns outscored ULM 85 to 79. Joshua Lewis had 26 points to lead the way for U-L Lafayette.

 

Louisiana Tech’s nine game home winning streak came to an end with a 72-56 loss to Liberty.

01.09.26
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LRN AM Newscall January 9

A quarterback that LSU was reportedly interested in signing has decided he will not transfer. So where do Lane Kiffin and company go from here? Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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King Cake season is underway in Louisiana, and Colleen Crain says a healthy option is once again available.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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I hope you took advantage of the great weather this week, because change is coming by the end of this weekend. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Two organizations that advocate for children and families in Louisiana join forces. The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families merged with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, effective at the beginning of this year. LPIC CEO Libbie Sonnier says the two organizations had worked closely together for years, including launching the Geaux Far Louisiana initiative in 2021.

Cut 4 (13) “…Geaux Far Louisiana work.”

Sonnier says the merger of the two policy organizations will help it continue the course they had been on for years.

Cut 5 (09) “…with successful children.”

Sonnier says the merger will be beneficial from a financial standpoint as well, with the organization being able to maximize the limited funds it has.

Cut 6 (08) “…State of Louisiana.”

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A high-profile quarterback that LSU reportedly had interest in signing has decided to stay at his current school. Demond Williams Jr. announced on Tuesday night that he was entering the transfer portal, but last night he announced he’s staying at Washington. Earlier this week, it seemed like former Arizona State Q-B Sam Leavitt was the Tigers top target. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Glenn Guilbeau says LSU could see if Leavitt is still interested in the Tigers, but there is a health concern. 

Cut 7 (07) “…the summer, probably.”

Leavitt has been visiting Tennessee since Wednesday after spending a couple of days at LSU earlier this week.

Guilbeau says the transfer portal window opened last Friday and LSU still has not signed a quarterback…

Cut 8 (09) “…at Ole Miss.”

If Kiffin fails to land Leavitt, he’s either going to have to dig deep into the portal or sign someone out of high school, since LSU does not have a single scholarship quarterback on the roster at this time. Guilbeau says Kiffin and company have proven that they can work magic with quarterbacks.

Cut 9 (09)  “…quite a quarterback.”

A quarterback is visiting LSU today. Landen Clark from Elon. Clark threw for 23-hundred yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed 641 yards and 11 touchdowns for the FSC.

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It’s King Cake season in Louisiana; and once again, Ochsner Health is offering its Eat Fit King Cake. Marie Page with Ochsner Eat Fit says Ochsner Health introduced the healthier King Cake about four years ago.

Cut 10 (08) “…the grocery stores.”

The Eat Fit King Cake is grain-free – it’s made with an almond flour and a coconut flour, giving it the texture of a bundt-style cake. It uses a plant-based sweetener and has no artificial colors. Page says it’s also guaranteed gluten-free.

Cut 11 (09) “…good on that.”

Page says the Eat Fit King Cake is available at more places than ever this year.

Cut 12 (08) “…one in Arkansas.”

They’re also available at all Ochsner cafes. To find a retailer near you, go to Eat Fit King Cake-dot-com.

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I hope you enjoyed the heavenly temperatures over the last few days, because potentially severe storms are on the way. LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim says the storm risk starts today.

Cut 13 (06)  “…winds and tornadoes.”

All this, as a cold front comes through the state. Keim says tomorrow will be a transitional day before temperatures really start to plummet. 

Cut 14 (10) “…Friday and Saturday.”

Keim says as you make your way into work in the early part of next week, you’ll want to bring your jacket with you, as overnight lows will get down into the 30s.

Cut 15 (09) “…in those temperatures.”

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Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity (2x).”

 

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

 

Cut 18 (18)  “…excited about that.” 

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Cut 19 (16) “…a blood clot.”

 

Cut 20 (12) “…back to winning.”

01.08.26
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has picked up a couple of commitments from defensive linemen in the transfer portal. One of the them is Malik Blocton from Auburn, who is ranked as one of the top ten defensive lineman in the portal. He’s six-foot-three 300 pounds and registered 34 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks across two seasons. Former South Carolina edge rusher Jaylen Brown has also committed to LSU. Brown did not play for the Gamecocks in 2025 because of a knee suffered last spring. He started his college career at Missouri and appeared in five games for the Tigers.

Former Union Parish football star Trey Holly says he is staying at Southern. Holly had a good freshman campaign for the Jaguars, rushing for 869 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s still facing gun charges in Union Parish for a shooting that took place in his hometown of Farmerville two years ago. Holly’s trial is set to begin in late April.

One of the main reasons the Saints feel good about their future is the play of Tyler Shough, who went five and four as a starter during his rookie season. General Manager Mickey Loomis….

Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity” (2x)

Shough was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December-January.

Tonight Ole Miss takes on Miami in a College Football Playoff semifinal game. Rebels Coach and Hammond native Pete Golding talked about why the team continues to have success despite Lane Kiffin leaving the Rebels for LSU…

Cut 19 (20) “…the tunnel”

Kick off is at 6:30.

01.08.26
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11:30 LRN Newscast

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

 

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.

Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”

Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing.

A late Christmas gift for tens of thousands of people in the greater Baton Rouge area. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, says a player from Baton Rouge won one-point-one million dollars on a penny slot machine. The Wheel of Fortune game on the main casino floor at Beau Rivage is a statewide progression. It’s linked to other Mississippi casinos and each spin increases the total jackpot.

01.08.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

If you bought your auto insurance policy from Flo, your premium will likely go down at renewal time. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (25) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

 

Construction began this week on replacing Tech Drive, also known as LA 544 overpass over I-20 in Ruston. The 39-million dollar project is expected to take until late 2029 to be completed. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says in the meantime, motorists can continue to use the existing LA 544 overpass…

Cut 5 (10) “….to do that’

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 Louisiana Black Bears were harvested during the state’s legal black bear hunting season that took place last month. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager, John Hanks, says a bear that is well over 300 pounds supplies 200 plates of food, and he says bear fat is also useful.

Cut 9 (06)   “…waterproof their boots.” 

A deer shot and killed by a hunter on the Richard K Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, bringing the total number of CWD detections in wild deer up to 49. CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. Deer Program Manager Jonthan Bordelon says cases of neurodegenerative disease of White-tailed deer in Louisiana have been confined to the Delta Parishes…

Cut 12 (10) “…north-south pattern”

CWD is 100-percent fatal in affected deer.

01.08.26
by

8:30 LRN Newscast

New dietary guidelines issued by the Trump Administration urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.

Cut 13 (10)  “…metabolic risk factors.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 black bears were harvested during a 16-day hunting season in December. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, say it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years because the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Cut 8 (10) “…was 341 pounds.”

The largest bear harvested was 565 pounds.

 

Governor Landry says he will travel to Greenland in a couple months as part of his new side hustle as special envoy to Greenland. It comes as President Trump has ramped up talk of acquiring the island nation from Denmark. Both Denmark and Greenland are staunchly opposed to the idea. Landry told Brian Kilmeade of Fox News that the United States could do more for Greenland than Denmark.

Cut 28 (09) “…and partner.”

The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.

Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”

Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing.

01.08.26
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

The Trump Administration has published new dietary guidelines, and it recommends that Americans should eat more whole foods and protein and stay away from processed foods and added sugar. The guidelines also suggest Americans should choose whole-food sources of saturated fat—such as meat and whole fat dairy. Cathy Champagne, a nutrition professor at LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center, says while whole fat dairy may be good for some, it may cause complications for others…

Cut 14 (07) “…. advantageous to you”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 16 Louisiana Black Bears were harvested during the state’s legal black bear hunting season that took place last month. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager, John Hanks, says a bear that is well over 300 pounds supplies 200 plates of food, and he says bear fat is also useful.

Cut 9 (06)   “…waterproof their boots.” 

 

A major bridge replacement project in Ruston is now underway. Joe Gallinaro reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

If you have Progressive Auto Insurance, you could see your rates go down this year. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple has approved a six-point-six percent average rate decrease for Progressive Security Insurance Company customers and a four-percent average decrease for Progressive Paloverde Insurance. The rate decreases will impact 470-thousand policyholders.

01.08.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

Tonight is the College Football semifinal game between Ole Miss and Miami. It is being played in Glendale, Arizona, the site of the Fiesta Bowl. There are two LSU coaches that will be helping the Rebels tonight. They are offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and running backs coach Kevin Smith. Head coach Pete Golding says offensive coaches Joe Cox and George McDonald are now full-time with LSU.

The Saints are getting ready for the offseason and there is a sense of optimism in the air because of a strong finish. General Manager Loomis says winning a division title is one of the organization’s biggest goals for next season, but he expects the team to do even more.

Cut 17 (15)  “…going to be.”

Loomis feels good about quarterback Tyler Shough going forward, but it remains to be seen if aging veterans Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara will be a part of the 2026 Saints.

 

LSU landed a commitment on Wednesday from one of the top receivers in the portal, and he has experience making plays in the Southeastern Conference. Eugene “Tre” Wilson is leaving Florida for the Tigers after catching 107 passes for 1,043 yards and ten touchdowns after three seasons with the Gators. The Tigers have signed ten players out of the portal, four of them are receivers.

A high school football star from Baton Rouge has signed to play at Tulane. Quarterback Zeon Chriss has signed with Tulane after spending last season at Houston. Chriss signed with U-L Lafayette after leading Madison Prep to a state championship in 2020.

The Pelicans lost their ninth straight last night as they fell to the Atlanta Hawks 117 to 100. New Orleans is now 8-31 on the season.

The 12th ranked LSU women’s basketball team looks for its win in SEC play tonight as they visit a one-loss Georgia team.

On the men’s side, Louisiana Tech hosts a good Liberty team. The Ragin Cajuns host ULM. Both teams have just three wins on the season.

01.08.26
by

LRN Newscast 6:30

New federal nutrition guidelines have been released. Andrew Greenstein has more…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

State Police is investigating a fatal shooting in Ville Platte involving an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy. According to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office the incident stemmed from a tip received about illegal drug transactions. A person was shot and died at a local hospital. No deputies were injured during the incident.

 

Work is underway to replace the L-A 544 bridge also known as Tech Drive over I-20 in Ruston. State transportation officials say the bridge was originally built in 1963 and has outlived its usefulness. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says the overpass replacement is not the only component of this four-year, 39-million-dollar project.

Cut 4 (05) “…traffic flow, too.”

There will be two roundabouts north of I-20 and one south of I-20, and they will replace the traffic lights that are currently at those intersections.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st.  LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters could legally hunt black bears.

Cut 7 (14) “…that area.”

Twenty-six tags were issued for the lottery hunt. Hanks says it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years because the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.