Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.27.26
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LRN PM Newscall July 27

At least for the first half of this week, you will want to take extra precautions when spending time outdoors. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The Louisiana Department of Education has recognized the state’s teacher and principal of the year. Jeff Palermo tells us who won…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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“We’re going to have heat on steroids this week.” Those are the words of LSU Health Climatologist Barry Keim as he describes the heat and humidity that’s blanketing Louisiana this week. Keim says the culprit is an area of high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico that serves as a pump.

Cut 3 (12) “…clouds from forming.”

The lack of cloud cover allows the sun to bake on the landscape, preventing rainfall and anything else that could cool us off. Keim says that’s going to make conditions outside miserable at least through Wednesday.

Cut 4 (11) “…of those days.”

Keim says when you factor in above-normal humidity levels, that’s going to make it that much more unbearable.

Cut 5 (09) “…week moves on.”

So if you absolutely have to be outside, take every precaution possible, including drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light-colored loose-fitting clothing and taking plenty of breaks.

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The Louisiana Department of Education has named Alisha Butler as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge….

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

Butler and other teachers were honored this past weekend at the 20th Annual Educator Excellence Gala at the World War Two Museum in New Orleans. By winning the award, Butler gets to drive a new Mercedes Benz for a year. Butler says she’s proud to be a teacher in Louisiana…

Cut 7 (06) “…humbling.”

The Louisiana Principal of the Year is Lauren Rentrop at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish. Rentrop was shocked she won…

Cut 8 (04) “…possible.”

Patterson Junior High was the highest -performing middle School in St. Mary Parish on the 2025 LEAP. Under her leadership, the school has grown 18 points over six years. Rentrop was beaming with pride during her acceptance speech…

Cut 9 (11)  “…state of Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year is Sarah Corley of Alexandria. Katie Weber, a ninth grade English Teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany is the New Teacher of the Year. Jillian Graves of St. Louis Academy Head Start in St. James Parish was named Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.

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If you have a state tax refund due to you, time is running out to claim it from the Department of Revenue. Department spokesman Byron Henderson says it sent nearly 23-thousand unclaimed property letters to individual and business taxpayers.

Cut 10 (12) “…state treasurer’s office.” 

Currently, the department has more than 17.5-million dollars in unclaimed tax refunds. Henderson says if you receive one of the letters, you can claim your tax refund in one of two ways.

Cut 11 (13) “…unclaimed property letter.”

Any money not claimed by September 4th will be transferred to the unclaimed property division. Henderson says what’s important to remember is unclaimed property is never forfeited.

Cut 12 (13) “…unclaimed property division.”

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According to Leaders for a Better Louisiana, the average homeowners insurance premium runs nearly six-thousand dollars a year in the Bayou State. Better Louisiana CEO Adam Kanpp says that’s about 2.4 times the national average and one of the highest premiums in the South…

Cut 13 (04) “…Oklahoma third.”

Knapp says there was legislation approved in 2024 that has helped slow the increase in homeowners’ insurance premiums. According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, rate increases slowed to just four percent in 2025. Knapp says it’s also helped that it’s been a few years since Louisiana’s last major hurricane…

Cut 14 (08) “…better pricing.”

07.27.26
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11:30 LRN Newscast

McNeese has a new president – and for the time being, he’ll be doing double duty. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

We could see triple digit high temperatures this week. LSU Health climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 4 (11) “…of those days’

Rain chances return on Thursday.

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reporting good news about the state’s whooping crane recovery effort.   18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks this year, the largest percentage ever. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski…

Cut 8 (11) “…figured out.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011 and the Louisiana whooping crane population is now up to 84.

The Louisiana Department of Education has named Alisha Butler as the Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille at the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge….

Cut 6 (10) “…several years.”

Lauren Rentrop, the principal at Patterson Junior High in St. Mary Parish was named the Louisiana Principal of the Year. The Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year is Sarah Corley of Alexandria. Katie Weber, a ninth grade English Teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany is the New Teacher of the Year.

07.27.26
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin is known as the portal king, but he’s also expressed his desire to build future rosters by signing the best high school players in the state and around the country. But Kiffin says the portal will always be a part of his roster building…

Cut 18 (15) “…through the portal”

LSU baseball could still add another big arm to its roster. Six-foot-four left-hander Logan Schmidt, who the Guardians selected with the 59th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft on July 11th, has decided not to sign with Cleveland. Schmidt is the highest selected prospect of LSU’s 2027 signees, but it’s not a guarantee that he will end up on campus. Schmidt could decide to play junior college baseball instead.

 

Saints players will report to training camp tomorrow. New Orleans is looking to end a five-year playoff drought. Expectations are higher this year because of quarterback Tyler Shough, the signing of free agent running back Travis Etienne (Ay-chan), the defense finished ninth last year in total defense and the NFL South is not a strong division.

Opelousas native Wyatt Fontenot won his first X games gold medal on Friday. He won the Best Whip Competition at the Superdome. That’s where motorcross riders launch off a massive jump and try to throw their dirt bikes completely sideways while maintaining enough control to land safely. The 24-year-old is considered one of the rising stars of the X games.

Former LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman suffered his tenth loss of the season as his rough summer continues. He didn’t pitch bad against the Red Sox, Gausman allowed three runs in six innings, but Toronto still lost six to one to Boston. The M-L-B trade deadline is a week from today and it’s possible Toronto may trade Gausman for prospects.

07.26.26
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LRN AM Newscall July 27

McNeese has a new president – and for the time being, he’ll be doing double duty. Andrew Greenstein reports. 

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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LDWF’s whooping crane reintroduction project had its most successful nesting season ever. Kace Kieschinck has the story.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Ochsner Health has partnered with a company testing a new Alzheimer’s treatment that is showing encouraging results in clinical trials. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Call him “president,” call him “senator” – when referring to Mike Reese, both titles apply to him simultaneously. The state senator from Leesville is now the new president at McNeese State University, taking over for Wade Rousse, who’s now heading the LSU system. Reese officially took over as McNeese president July 1st with words of encouragement for both current and incoming students.

Cut 4 (13) “…having wonderful careers.”

Reese notes that 78-percent of McNeese’s graduates remain in Louisiana, so it’s important that the school work very closely with the community to prepare them for life after college.

Cut 5 (08) “…meaningful to them.”

As for President Reese’s alter ego, Senator Reese says he will serve in one more legislative session and will not run for re-election. But between now and the end of his term, given the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, Senator Reese – make that President Reese – says time management will be key.

Cut 6 (11) “…as state senator.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported the state’s whooping crane recovery effort saw 10 fledged chicks. That means the chicks are fully grown and capable of flight. It brings the state’s total population to 84. LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski says it was a historic nesting season.

Cut 7 (14) “…had this year.”

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011. 18 of the 20 total pairs that nested were able to hatch chicks, the largest percentage ever. Zimorski says there could be several factors contributing to the successful season, but one is that the birds are more experienced.

Cut 8 (08) “…figured out.”

Whooping cranes are large white birds with a red head and black facial markings that can grow up to five feet tall. They are a federally endangered species that was once native to the state but had not lived in the Louisiana wilderness since 1950 before the project began. Zimorski says LDWF has a history of restoring endangered native species in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (14)  “…the next ones.”

Zimorski says if you see a whooping crane, observe it from a distance and report where you saw it on the LDWF website.

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In announcing that he will not seek a second term in his second stint in Congress, Cleo Fields noted that a lot has changed since the first time he served on Capitol Hill, and not for the better. He said when he served in the House for the first time from 1993 until 1997, representatives from opposite parties were actually cordial towards one another.

Cut 10 (09) “…their families together.”

Of course, on the day Fields left Capitol Hill the first time, there was no such thing as Facebook, X was merely the 24th letter of the alphabet, and Donald Trump was seven years away from launching “The Apprentice” on NBC. Times have changed, and Fields says so has Congress in the 28 years he had been gone.

Cut 11 (09) “…has to change.”

Fields says the lack of cordialness has spread well beyond the halls of Congress.

Cut 12 (08) “…talking at all.”

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A new at-home treatment for Alzheimer’s disease could soon be available, and Ochsner Health is partnering with the company behind the technology. Ochsner regional medical director Dr. Richard Zweifler says Cognito Therapeutics has developed the Spectris headset, which uses brain stimulation to help slow the disease…

Cut 13 (13)  “…over time.”

The device is still in clinical trials and has not been approved by the FDA. But Zweifler says early results show the therapy may help remove the plaque associated with Alzheimer’s…

Cut 14 (11) “…high quality of life.”

Ochsner expects FDA approval could come by next June. Through its partnership with Cognito Therapeutics, Zweifler says the goal is to make the treatment available to Ochsner patients as soon as possible…

Cut 15 (05) “…game changing.”

Patients would wear the headset for one hour a day, and Zweifler says side effects appear to be minimal.

An estimated 95,000 Louisianans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers hope the Spectris headset could provide a less invasive alternative to infusions or oral medications.

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At SEC Media Days last week, LSU coach Lane Kiffin said his goal at LSU was to combine the top portal classes with elite high school talent. Kiffin has become known as the “Portal King” in college football, and welcomed the number-one class this offseason. He said people need to reframe how they look at transfers.

Cut 16 (11) “…eligibility left.”

Kiffin said programs that have tried to invest in only traditional high school classes have not survived. The most famous case of this is Dabo Swinney’s Clemson who brought in only five portal players in seven years before adding ten this offseason. Kiffin said freshmen don’t stick around anymore because of playing time or money.

Cut 17 (14) “…have that.”

He proposed a limit on the earnings of incoming freshmen similar to NFL rookie contracts.

Kiffin said to find success, coaches need to balance top-end young talent with long-term transfers and immediate impact transfers, and that balance will look different for every school. As for his LSU tenure, he does not plan to abandon his portal kingdom.

Cut 18 (15) “…through the portal.”

07.24.26
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Baton Rouge Congressman Cleo Fields made it official Friday morning — he will not seek a second term in his second stint in the U.S. House. His decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, leading to a redraw of his district. Fields says the new map leaves him with no realistic path to re-election.

Cut 6 (12) “…the winning path.”

Instead, Fields will run for his old state Senate seat, which became vacant following the death of Senator Larry Selders earlier this month. Selders had succeeded Fields after his election to Congress.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Tropical Storm Arthur caused an estimated $112 million in damage to Louisiana agriculture. Strain says the losses extend beyond crops and include damaged infrastructure.

Cut 11 (11) “…of fencing.”

LSU has been picked to finish fifth in the SEC preseason media poll. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

And the Great American Seafood Cook-Off is set for tomorrow at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Thirteen chefs from across the country will compete for the title of best seafood dish. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana will be represented by Lafayette chef Kris Allen.

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish.”

07.24.26
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1:30 LRN Newscast

Congressman Cleo Fields’ legislative career seesaw continues. Andrew Greenstein was on hand for a major announcement from the Baton Rouge Democrat…

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is up another penny to $3.68. Gas prices are up 12 cents from a week ago and 17 cents from a month ago.

 

LSU is picked to finish fifth in a poll of media members who attended SEC Media Days. Georgia is the preseason favorite followed by Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. This is the first season that the SEC will have a nine-game conference schedule and head coach Lane Kiffin is not a fan…

Cut 13 (11) “..anyone else”

LSU has key games with Ole Miss, Texas A-and-M, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee this season.

Tomorrow is the Great American Seafood Cook-off competition in New Orleans at the Morial Convention Center. Lafayette chef Kris Allen and a dozen other seafood chefs from around the country will compete to be the new King of Queen of American Seafood. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this event does a great job of promoting domestic seafood over cheap foreign imports…

Cut 5 (12) “…throughout America”

07.24.26
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11:30 LRN Newscast

The world’s best skateboarders, BMX and Moto X athletes are in New Orleans this weekend for the first ever X Games Championship event. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

Also this weekend, it’s the Great American Seafood Cook-off. Thirteen chefs from around the country will try to cook up the best seafood dish in the land on Saturday at the Morial Convention Center…

Cut 4 (06) “…best seafood dish”

That’s Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. He says Kris Allen from Lafayette will represent Louisiana.

 

The SEC preseason media poll has been released and the LSU Tigers are predicted to finish in fifth place. Georgia is picked to win the SEC for a third consecutive season. Texas is picked to finish second, followed by Ole Miss, Texas A-and-M and LSU. Linebacker Whit Weeks says one of reasons he came back was to restore the tradition of LSU’s defense…

Cut 13 (08) “…to Baton Rouge”

Louisiana Works has received a federal grant that will be used to train inmates who are closed to finishing their prison sentence so they can get a job in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding…

Cut 27 (12) “…targeted support”

Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen says the grant is for more than five million dollars.

07.24.26
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10:30 LRN Newscast

Democrat Jamie Davis says his U.S. Senate campaign raised 1-point-6 million dollars during the latest fundraising quarter from donors in all 50 states. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says raising money outside Louisiana can help demonstrate broader support…
Cut 8 (08) “…home state.”

Davis reports 480-thousand dollars cash on hand. Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow, his opponent in the Senate race, has 1-point-4 million dollars in cash on hand.

New Orleans hosts its first-ever X Games this weekend. Massive skateboard courses, BMX ramps and Moto X dirt jumps have been built inside the Superdome for nearly 100 athletes competing in the action sports showcase…
Cut 6 (06) “…against each other.”

Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says two Louisiana natives will compete: Wyatt Fontenot of Opelousas and Broc Raiford of Destrehan.

 

At SEC Media Days, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin discussed how LSU rebuilt its football roster in just one offseason. Kace Kieschnick has more.
Cut 27 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Governor Jeff Landry and Entergy have signed a voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge aimed at shielding residential customers from higher electric bills tied to the growing energy demands of AI data centers. Several data centers are under construction across Louisiana, and officials say they’ll require significant amounts of electricity.

07.24.26
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9:30 LRN Newscast

The Democrat in the U-S Senate race believes his campaign has some serious momentum because of his victory in the Democratic Party Primary. The Jamie Davis campaign says the Tensas Parish farmer raised one-point-six million dollars in the most recent quarter. But LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says it’s still not enough for Davis to spring the monumental upset over his opponent, Republican Julia Letlow, in the November election…

Cut 9 (14) “…last few decades”

Currently, Letlow has more than 1.4-million dollars in cash on hand, compared to less than 480-thousand dollars for Davis.

 

Tonight’s Mega Millions Jackpot is 743-million dollars. That’s the tenth highest jackpot in the game.

 

Incarcerated people approaching the end of their prison sentences have a new program to get job training, thanks to a new federal grant. Louisiana Works Secretary Susie Schowen (SHAU-in) says the Department of Labor awarded the state a RESTART Grant of more than five-million dollars, and the money will be put to good use.

Cut 10 (12) “…the first place.”

Schowen says they will use this grant to help train inmates for jobs in manufacturing, construction and shipbuilding.

For the first time, the Caesars Superdome will host an X games event as the MoonPay X Games Championship will begin today and run through Sunday. The three-day event will feature skateboard, BMX and Moto X competitions from nearly 100 athletes and it will be televised by ESPN and ABC…

Cut 5 (09) “…period of time”

That’s Jay Cicero, president of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. Find tickets at x-games-dot-com.

07.24.26
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8:30 LRN Newscast

The latest campaign finance reports for the two candidates running for U-S Senate are out. Republican Julia Letlow has outraised Democrat Jamie Davis by three fold. LSU political science professor Robert Hogan notes that more than three-fourths of Letlow’s 6.2-million dollars in donations have come from the GOP and political action committees.

Cut 7 (14) “…those traditional sources.”

Davis’s campaign says the farmer from Tensas Parish has raised one-point-six million dollars in the latest quarter. They say an overwhelming majority of the money has come in since he won the Democratic party primary.

The Louisiana Department of Health says Disaster SNAP benefits will be available for residents in Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne Parishes impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur. Residents can apply next week by calling 1-888-524-3578.

 

The first ever X Games Championship event is this weekend in NOLA. Joe Gallinaro talked with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”

During LSU football’s makeover, 42 players were brought in through the transfer portal. All-SEC linebacker Whit Weeks says he loves playing alongside TJ Dottery, who transferred in from Ole Miss…

Cut 15 (12) “….to play with”

Dottery started his college career at Clemson and that’s who LSU opens the season against on September 5th.