Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.03.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast December 3rd

Today we find out whether or not Senator John Kennedy will jump into the 2019 governor’s race…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU will play UCF in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on New Year’s Day. The Knights have won 25 in a row and Coach Ed Orgeron says the Fiesta is the bowl his team was hoping for…
cut 15 (09) “…ready to play’
Kick-off will be at noon central time.

New CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017. President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health John Auerbach says this marks the first time that more than 1,000 people died in a single year from overdoses in Louisiana.
Cut 10 (10) “…the woods yet.”
Overdose deaths have contributed to the life expectancy rate declining for three straight years in the United States, a pattern not seen in 100 years.

A federal judge from Lake Charles who battled alcoholism was found dead in her home over the weekend. Calcasieu Coroner Doctor Terry Welke says Judge Patricia Minaldi’s death appears to be the result of natural causes. Minaldi served as a federal judge from 2003 to July 2017, when she went on disability retirement for treatment of severe alcoholism.

12.02.18
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LRN AM newscall December 3

A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse got to help set the Christmas mood in the White House this year. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Today we find out whether or not Senator John Kennedy will jump into the 2019 governor’s race…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m  Kevin Barnhart”

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A Fort Polk interior designer and military spouse had the honor last week of joining 150 of volunteers for the annual Christmas decoration of the White House. Amy Hirata was one of the seven thousand total applications sent in to join for the festive activities in the nation’s capital. Hirata says her team was put to work getting ornaments ready to hang.

Cut 4 (10) “ornaments″

She says the design was created in part by the First Lady, and described it as a traditional Christmas theme full of reds, golds, and greens. Hirata says each room was designed to highlight some of the best aspects of American life.

Cut 5 (12) “…our country.”

Most teams focused on decorating just one of the many historic rooms in the White House, but Hirata says her work can be seen throughout the entire grounds…

Cut 6 (11) “…each room.”

She says she’s particularly proud of her work on the library room, which featured her large green plaid and red velvet ribbons.

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Senator John Kennedy is expected to make his decision today on whether he’ll run for governor in 2019. Baton Rouge Republican businessman Eddie Rispone is currently the only announced challenger to Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford expects Kennedy to jump in.

Cut 7 (10) “…an announcement.”

Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham says he’s also leaning towards a run and will announce his decision by the end of the year.

If Kennedy jumps in, he’ll wade into a campaign that analysts predict will shatter previous fundraising records for Louisiana gubernatorial races. Alford says the campaign spending should easily top 20 million dollars.

Cut 8 (10) “…election cycle”

And if Kennedy is a participant, Alford says you’ll get a clear ideological divide between him and the governor on key issues that will shape the state’s future, a divide that’s played out publicly since Edwards took office.

Cut 9 (08) “…right now.”

Kennedy is less than two years into his six year Senate term.

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New CDC data indicates drug overdose deaths rose 12% in Louisiana from 2016 to 2017.  Overdose deaths has contributed to the life expectancy rate declining for  three straight year in the United States, a pattern not seen in 100 years. President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health John Auerbach says this marks the first time that more than 1,000 people died in a single year from overdoses in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (10)   “…the woods yet.”

Auerbach says part of the reason for the increase in the deaths last year was the increase in the use of synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl, with Fentanyl deaths up 45% in a single year.

Cut 11 (09) “…to it’s strength.”

Auerbach says there are many efforts in the country showing promise in reversing the trend.

Cut 12 (10)   “done in Louisiana.”

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For the first time in the 125-year history of LSU Football, the Tigers will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Day and they’ll face UCF, who has won 25 in a row. Coach Ed Orgeron says his team deserved to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl game

Cut 13 (11) “…well deserved.”

Orgeron says he’s impressed with U-C-F’s 25-game winning streak…

Cut 14 (11) “…how to win”

U-C-F beat Auburn in last year’s Peach Bowl. Some wondered if Auburn was ready to play in that game after losing to Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Orgeron says his guys want to play in the Fiesta Bowl…

Cut 15 (09) “…to play”

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Louisiana Tech will face former Western Athletic Conference foe Hawaii in the Hawaii on Saturday night, December 22nd. The Bulldogs will play in a bowl game for a fifth consecutive season, but they ended the 2018 regular season losing three of their last four. Coach Skip Holtz was not happy with how his offense performed down the stretch…

Cut 16 (25)        points up”

Hawaii is 8-5 on the season and Holtz says he’s still learning about the Rainbow Warriors, while the coaching staff also juggles recruiting

Cut 17 (18) “lot of points”

Holtz says playing a bowl game in Hawaii is an unique experience and he’s glad his team has this opportunity

Cut 18 (20)  excited about it“

12.01.18
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7:30 LRN sportscast

The nine matchups are set for next week’s state football championships. The game of the night last night was in Destrehan as the Class 5A defending champion Zachary Broncos outlasted the Wildcats 67-57. Zachary will play top seeded West Monroe as the Rebels blanked John Ehret 28-0. West Monroe has not allowed a point in the postseason.

In Four-A, top seeded Karr defeated Neville 25-13 and the Cougars will face Warren Easton who crushed Leesville 54-14. In Three-A, fourth seeded Sterlington upended Iota (Eye-oh-tuh) 21-12, while Eunice (U-niss) blanked Kaplan 19-0.
In Two-A….second-seeded Amite beat Ferriday 44-20 and the Warriors will go up against defending champ Welsh, who beat top seeded Many (Man-ee) 28-21

And finally in One-A, top seeded Oak Grove blanked West St. John 30-0 and the Tigers will face Kentwood, who beat Haynesville 20-14.

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No LSU game today, but three teams from Louisiana are in action. At 11 AM its the first ever Sun Belt Championship game as the Ragin Cajuns face Appalachian State. A win for UL Lafayette and they’ll go back to the New Orleans Bowl for the sixth time in eight years, a loss willl send the Cajuns to Orlando for the AutoNation Cure Bowl.

Southern brings a five-game winning streak into the SWAC title game and the Jaguars will face Alcorn State.

And in the FCS playoffs, Nichollls will battle third seeded Eastern Washington at 4 PM. The Eagles are very good at running the football, while the Colonels defend the run very well.

LSU finds out its bowl destination tomorrow. Fiesta, Peach and Outback Bowl are the most likely options.

Saints fans will be Lion fans tomorrow as they’ll be rooting for Detroit to beat the Los Angles Rams, so that the Black and Gold can move to the top spot in the NFC Standings. New Orleans will visit Tampa Bay next weekend.

In the NBA, the Pelicans fell behind by 31 points to Miami and lost to the Heat 106-101.

11.30.18
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4:45 LRN Sportscast November 30

All good things must come to an end and the Saints 10-game winning streak ended last night with a 13-10 loss to Dallas. New Orleans was held to 176 total yards of offense as Quarterback Drew Brees was under duress for much of the game
Cut 3 (12) “we are doing”
Brees threw for just 39 yards in the first half and ended up with 127 yards passing.

The Saints also no longer own the top record in the NFC. That belongs to the one-loss Los Angeles Rams who are in Detroit this Sunday.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said today he was very disappointed by the postgame scuffle that occurred following LSU’s seven overtime loss to Texas A-and-M on Saturday, but he’ll leave it up to the two schools to hand down any discipline. On Sunday, the Tigers will find out their bowl destination. There’s a good chance it will be the Fiesta Bowl.

Can Nicholls keep its season going? They will face Eastern Washington tomorrow in the second round of the F-C-S playoffs. The Colonels have won five in a row and they’ve been jumping on their opponents right off the bat. Coach Tim Rebowe says strong starts have been a focus this year, but against this kind of opponent, they’ll need to keep their foot on the pedal…
cut 17 (15) “….slugfest”
Kick-off is at 4 Pm on Saturday.

At 11 A-M, the Ragin Cajuns face Appalachian State in the inaugural Sun Belt Championship game. The Mountaineers beat UL Lafayette by 10 points earlier this season.

In the high school football playoffs…top seeded Karr hosts Neville in Four-A tonight. These two schools have won 16 state championships between them. The Cougars are two-time defending champs.

11.30.18
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LRN PM Newscall November 30

A Louisiana school that produced viral videos showing its students receiving acceptance letters to prestigious universities is now accused of falsifying transcripts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Americans for Prosperity launches an anti-gas tax campaign on Saturday with ads on social media and gas station video screens…

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

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All good things must come to an end and the Saints 10-game winning streak ended last night with a 13-10 loss to Dallas. New Orleans was held to 176 total yards of offense as Quarterback Drew Brees was under duress for much of the game

Cut 3 (12) “we are doing”

Brees threw for just 39 yards in the first half and ended up with 127 yards passing. New Orleans couldn’t get its run game going as Alvin Kamara was held to 36 yards rushing, while Mark Ingram had just 27 yards on the ground. Coach Sean Payton says not enough success on first down, led to a long night…

Cut 4 (10) “in this game″

The officials missed an obvious targeting penalty when Dallas linebacker Jaylon Smith made helmet-to-helmet contact on Alvin Kamara. Instead of punting, the Saints should have received a first down on a critical drive in the fourth quarter. Payton was asked about the hit in the postgame

Cut 5 (11)  “…do enough” 

The Saints record falls to 10-2 and they slip to second in the NFC.

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A federal judge has ordered $34.8 million in restitution from the owner of Explo Systems, a military contractor hired to demilitarize artillery charges at Camp Minden in Webster Parish, in a case stemming from a huge munitions blast in 2012 due to illegal dumping of the materials.  US Attorney David Joseph says it was a difficult case to clean up.

Cut 6 (12) “…at Camp Minden.”

Explo Systems, who went bankrupt in 2013 had an $8.7 million contract for the job.  In addition to the restitution, David Alan Smith, owner of the company was sentenced to just shy of five years in prison, with four others in the company receiving sentences of between 2 to 5 years behind bars.  Joseph says he’s happy with the outcome.

Cut 7 (07) “…was done here.”

Joseph says the state has already been reimbursed for the cost it incurred from the case, so the restitution would be going toward the military.

Cut 8 (03) “…is currently due.”

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A Koch brother’s backed conservative advocacy group will begin airing anti-gas tax ads on social media and at gas station video screens across the state this weekend ahead of next year’s legislative session that may include a push to raise the tax to pay for road projects. Americans for Prosperity State Director John Kay says it’s no time for another tax.

Cut 9 (10) “you can”

Last year. infrastructure advocates attempted to pass a 17 cent gas tax that would have raised half a billion dollars a year to pay for infrastructure. Kay says that kind of price hike on an everyday item would hurt.

Cut 10 (07)   “…Louisiana”

Those advocates say they’re considering a six-cent gas tax increase next legislative session, with two cent hikes every other year after that.

Louisianans pay 38.4 cents per gallon in gas taxes total, 20 of which is state gas tax, one of the lowest totals in the nation. Kay says that’s something to be lauded, and that makes up for the state’s higher than normal sales tax rate.

Cut 11 (08) “…bad thing”

Pennsylvania leads the nation in state gas tax rates at 58.7 cents a gallon.

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Holiday traditions and events around the Bayou State are becoming quite the draw for visitors.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says as the state continues to promote staycations in Louisiana, it’s a great time to take the family around the state to take in some of the great celebrations.

Cut 12 (11)   “…parade on Saturday.”

Nungesser says Louisiana is more often becoming the place where families congregate for the holiday festivities.

Cut 13 (11) “…all over Louisiana.”

Nungesser highlights the Nachitoches Chrismas Festival, which is in its 92nd year in 2018, as the one of the state’s staple Christmas celebrations.

Cut 14 (11) “…lights and celebration.”

Other events this weekend include Christmas in the Park in Bogalusa, Winter Fete in Alexandria, there’s a Christmas Parade in Jeanerette on Sunday and there’s the always popular Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans.

11.30.18
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2:30 LRN Newscast

Americans for Prosperity launches an anti-gas tax campaign on Saturday with ads on social media and gas station video screens…
Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

Shreveport Police are looking for one or more people who fired gunshots at a five-year-old boy and a man and a woman who arrived at a location to sell a puppy. Authorities say the child was shot once, while the adults were shot multiple times. The gunshot wounds to the three individuals are not considered life threatening. A motive for the shooting has not been established. The puppy was not hit by gunfire.

It was a really frustrating night for the Black and Gold as the Saints were held to 176 yards of total offense in a 13-10 loss to Dallas. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for just 39 yards in the first half and ended up with 127 yards passing. Coach Sean Payton says not enough success on first down, led to a long night…
cut 4 (10) “…in this game”
The loss ends the Saints 10-game winning streak and they drop to second place in the NFC as the Rams now own the best record in the league.

With no Saints or LSU game this weekend, it’s an excellent opportunity for Louisiana residents to check out one of the many weekend holiday festivals that are planned. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says these festivals are helping to attract out of state visitors, especially those who have loved ones in the Bayou State….
cut 13 (11) “…over Louisiana”
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival begins tomorrow, there’s also winter fete in Alexandria and Christmas in the Park in Bogalusa.

11.30.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

It was a really frustrating night for the Black and Gold as the Saints were held to 176 yards of total offense in a 13-10 loss to Dallas. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for just 39 yards in the first half and ended up with 127 yards passing. Alvin Kamara was held to 36 yards rushing, while Mark Ingram had just 27 yards on the ground. Coach Sean Payton says not enough success on first down, led to a long night…
cut 4 (10) “…in this game”
The loss ends the Saints 10-game winning streak and they drop to second place in the NFC Standings as the Rams now own the best record in the league.

The Ragin Cajuns and Southern are gearing up to play conference championship games on Saturday. UL Lafayette is at Appalachian State, while the Jaugars will face Alcorn State.

The Colonels take a five-game winning streak to Eastern Washington on Saturday for a second round F-C-S playoff game against The Eagles from the Big Sky Conference. Nicholls Coach Tim Rebowe says he’s bringing a confident team to the Pacific Northwest…
cut 18 (17) “…arrogance'”
Kick-off is at 4 PM.

Tonight it’s the semi-finals of the high school playoffs on the non-select side. In Class One-A…top-seeded Oak Grove hosts West St. John, while third seeded Kentwood makes the long trip to Haynesville. In Two-A, top seeded Many hosts defending champion Welsh and second-seeded Amite hosts Ferriday. You can watch that game on Cox Sports Television.

11.30.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast November 30

Donald Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana took a big jump this year, thanks to swelling support from his base…
Voicer 3 (31) “…Matt Doyle”

Congress has approved legislation that extends the National Flood Insurance Program for another week. It was set to expire today. Louisiana’s senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are pushing for a six-month extension, so they can come back in the next Congress and approve a long-term deal for the program that billions of dollars in debt.

Good news for the estimated 25-thousand motorists who use the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish, as two-lanes will re-open tomorrow. The bridge was closed last month for repairs after a crane barge hit the structure. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says this comes after crews have been working around the clock on repairs…
Cut 7 (06) “…main cords replaced.”
Mallett says the bridge will not fully re-open until January.

Louisiana is under the threat of severe weather today, especially for those north of Interstate 20. National Weather Service Shreveport Meteorologist Brandi Richardson says an upper-level trough will push rain into the area during the daylight hours.
Cut 13 (12) “…north of there.”

And don’t forget tomorrow is the last day to early vote in the December 8th runoff election that features the Secretary of State’s race.

11.30.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast November 30

All good things must come to an end and the Saints 10-game winning streak ended last night with a 13-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. New Orleans was held to 176 total yards of offense as Quarterback Drew Brees was under duress for much of the game…
cut 3 (12) “…what we were doing”
The Saints record falls to 10-2 and they now have the second best record in the NFC.

A new statewide poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana has increased by seven-percent over the last year and now a clear majority of voters support him. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says 2018 featured big issues important to white conservative voters which dominate the state’s electorate….
cut 10 (10) “…55% popular”
On the flip side, 86-percent of black voters gave Trump a negative rating.

A more active hurricane season than predicted comes to an end today with 15 named storms, two of the them developed into major hurricanes that caused wide spread damage in the Carolinas and Florida, plus killing dozens. Forecasters were anticipating a near normal season, which means a dozen named storms, but Colorado State Hurricane Forecast Researcher Doctor Phil Klotzbach says vertical wind shear never really developed in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic…
cut 6 (10) “…a hurricane”

There’s the potential for severe weather today, especially for the northern third of the state. Brandi Richardson with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says an upper level trough is making its way towards Louisiana and there’s a cold front behind this weather system…
cut 14 (07) “…force those thunderstorms”
There’s also slight chance for severe weather in southeast Louisiana.

11.30.18
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7:30 LRN Newscast November 30

A new statewide poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Louisiana has increased from 48-percent to 55-percent over the last year. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says over a quarter of the voters surveyed say Mr Trump is doing an excellent job…
cut 11 (07) “…percent”
Pinsonat says Senator John Kennedy’s overall positive job rating is 61-percent, while Governor Edwards approval rating fell from 65 to 60-percent.

The state department of transportation plans to open two lanes of traffic on the Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish tomorrow. The structure has been closed for seven weeks after it was hit by a crane barge. Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says a main weight-supporting beam known as a chord has been replaced, which allows for two lanes of traffic, each going one way…
cut 8 (05) “…of feet”
25-thousand vehicles once used the bridge on a daily basis.

Today marks the end of a hurricane season that researchers under-predicted when it comes to the number of storms produced.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana is under the threat of severe weather today, especially for those north of Interstate 20. National Weather Service Shreveport Meteorologist Brandi Richardson says an upper-level trough will push rain into the area during the daylight hours.
Cut 13 (12) “…north of there.”