Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

11.11.18
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LRN AM Newscall November 12

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is performing a $34 million project that uses rock-filled sacks to protect the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Republican Interim Secretary Kyle Ardoin and Democrat minister and elections worker Gwen Collins-Greenup state their case for why they should be Secretary of State…

Cut 2 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”  

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Consumers are set to spent a record amount of money this year for the holiday season. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

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The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is working on a $34 million project that will use rock-filled sacks to protect the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Cameron Parish.  Authority project manager Bevin Barringer says an aggregate material is being used to keep the so called pillows, about the size of a small car, from sinking in the mucky soil.

Cut 4 (09) “…with armor stone.″

The pillows are being placed by crane along a 3-mile stretch of shoreline.  Barringer says the coastal erosion is a major concern for the area.

Cut 5 (12)  “…200 feet.” 

With erosion rapidly taking its toll on the area, Barringer says the objective is to stabilize the shoreline.

Cut 6 (12) “…constructing this project.”

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The Secretary of State’s run-off pits the now Interim Secretary, against a Democratic political new comer from East Feliciana. Interim Secretary Kyle Ardoin, the Republican in the race was appointed assistant secretary to Tom Schedler in 2010, and says his eight years in a leadership position in that office makes him the most qualified candidate.

Cut 7 (10) “…voter ID”

Ardoin assumed the Interim role after Schedler resigned in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal involving an employee. In and interview with LRN, the victim said Ardoin was aware of the harassment.

The Democrat, Gwen Collins-Greenup, a minister who worked elections at the East Feliciana Clerks Office, says her door to door campaign style reflects her opinion that politicians should do more to connect with the personal needs of constituents.

Cut 8 (11) “…participation up”

Collins-Greenup shocked analysts by making the run-off despite only raising 3,000 dollars and not securing the Democratic Party endorsement.

Ardoin says as a Republican he’s more representative of Louisiana’s values then Collins-Greenup, and he’ll fight against Democratic policies that would relax requirements for voting.

Cut 9 (10) “…liberal organizations”

Several of Ardoin’s Republican opponents criticized his handling of a now canceled voting machine contract process that two of the companies say was rigged.

But Collins-Greenup disagrees, saying after hearing from voters on the campaign trail, her priority would be to make voting more accessible for more people.

Cut 10 (10)   “…a plan“

The run-off will be held December 8th.

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Six weeks from today it’s Christmas Eve and the National Retail Federation projects a consumer will spend on average, 1,007 dollars this holiday season, up 4 percent over last year. N-R-F spokesperson Ana Serafin Smith says we’ve never seen a November and December this big.

Cut 11 (07) “…season.”

21 percent of consumers say they already started their shopping back in October.

On a whole it’s the biggest year on record as the economy is on the up-tick and some customers are finding themselves with a little more cash in their pockets than they used to have. Serafin Smith says 720-billion dollars will be spent this season.

Cut 12 (08)   “…2017”

Gift cards top the popularity list, followed by clothing, then books, movies, music, and electronics.

That thousand dollar average will be split up among your traditional gifts, and party goods you purchase to make that family get-together memorable. Serafin-Smith says folks are even spending a little more on themselves.

Cut 13 (12) “…155 dollars.”

Online shopping is on the rise, with 55 percent of customers saying they plan to both shop online and in store.

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The Saints clobbered Cincinnati 51-14 yesterday for the Black and Gold’s eighth straight win. Quarterback Drew Brees threw as many touchdown passes as incompletions, three. Michael Thomas had two touchdown catches and Alvin Kamara also found the end zone twice. Brees says the long opening drive that ended with six points set the tone…

Cut 14 (12) “…line of scrimmage.”

The victory comes on the heels of two emotional wins over the Vikings and Rams. Some analysts warned this was a trap game, with a home game against Eagles coming up next. But Brees says the players were ready to play…

Cut 15 (09) “…of the season”

The defense sacked Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton four times and picked him off twice. Saints running back Mark Ingram has his first 100-yard game of the season as he averaged eight yards a rush. Coach Sean Payton says it was a well balanced game…

 

Cut 16 (11) “…solid game.”

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LSU heads into its final home game of the year of the with an 8-2 record after holding on to beat Arkansas 24-17 on a frigid night in Fayetteville. The Tigers looked like they were going to win this game going away, but the Hogs scored two fourth quarter touchdowns. Coach Ed Orgeron was happy, even though the game got close…

Cut 17 (21) “we did”

Orgeron was looking for a bounce back win, after getting shutout by top ranked Alabama and that’s what he got on Saturday…

Cut 18 (19) “to the season”

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ULM is bowl eligible after beating South Alabama 38-10 and the Ragin Cajuns are one win away from a sixth win to become bowl eligible. UL-Lafayette rushed for a season-high 355 yards in a 36-22 win over Georgia State. Running back Raymond Calais had a career-high 186 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Coach Billy Napier says Raymond has developed over time….

Cut 19 (16)   “…elite speed.”

A win over South Alabama at Cajun Field on Saturday and UL-Lafayette will become bowl eligible. Napier says he’s still looking for his team to put it all together…

Cut 20 (13) “…every area.”

11.09.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

Big news involving the Saints newly signed wide receiver Dez Bryant. It’s being reported he was helped off the practice field today after suffering what is feared to be a torn Achilles. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the team is awaiting the MRI results .

There was a report earlier today that Bryant was not expected to play in Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. New Orleans will take on the Bengals at noon in the Queen City.

Last week, the Saints held superstar running back Todd Gurley to 68 yards rushing. Linebacker A-J Klein says Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon is also very talented…
cut 13 (11) “…with him”
New Orleans is seeking its eighth straight win, while Cincinnati is 5-3 on the season. The Saints will not have defensive end Marcus Davenport for a second straight week because of a toe injury.
LSU will face an Arkansas team on Saturday that has just two wins. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron is eager to see how his team bounces back from the Alabama loss…
cut 14 (08) “…very good offense”
Jerry Palm, senior writer for CBS Sports, says if LSU wins its remaining three remaining games they’ll end up in either the Sugar, Peach or Fiesta Bowl…
cut 18 (10) “…group of teams”

ULM came become bowl eligible with a win over South Alabama on Saturday. McNeese and Nicholls are fighting to get in the F-C-S playoffs. The Cowboys are at Northwestern State, while the Colonels host Stephen F Austin.
Southern and Grambling are battling for a spot in the SWAC championship game. The Jaguars host Arkansas Pine-Bluff, while the Tigers are at Alabama A-and-M.

11.09.18
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LRN PM Newscall November 9

Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup shocked many analysts in the midterm as the East Feliciana Parish Minister and Elections Office worker made the run-off for Secretary of State. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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A St. Bernard Parish correctional officer on trial for the death of an inmate is hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 2 (22) “Im Kevin Barnhart.”  

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Secretary of State candidate Gwen Collins-Greenup is the surprise of the midterms, as the Democrat will head to a run-off against Interim Secretary Kyle Ardoin. While some candidates fundraised and sought high profile endorsement’s Collins-Greenup says she just went door to door, talking to constituents about their needs.

 

Cut 3 (09) “…their area.”

The Democrat is a minister with a law degree, was a notary, and worked in elections in the East Feliciana Parish Clerk’s Office.

Collins-Greenup was just 10 thousand votes shy of topping the Interim Secretary, despite little fundraising and not securing the Democratic Party’s backing, which went to 3rd place candidate Renee Fontenot Free. She says she never viewed herself as an underdog.

Cut 4 (09) “…to it″

Collins-Greenup raised less than 3,000 dollars for her run.

Collins-Greenup says she’s a people person who has a passion for history and elections, and has one major priority she’d tackle if she wins the race.

Cut 5 (11)  “…our state.” 

The run-off election will be held December 8th

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Those looking for an excuse to break out that beloved hoodie or sweater will get the opportunity to do so this weekend.  But you’ll need the heavier jackets next week. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Tim Destri says a cold front is pushing through most of the state starting today.

Cut 6 (10) “…next week as well”

If you spend any time outside this weekend, you’ll need a coat.  Destri says south Louisiana can expect highs in the mid to upper 50s for Saturday and Sunday into the low 60s.  sorth Louisiana will struggle to get out of the 40s.

Cut 7 (04) “…than late fall.”

Destri says much of the state will flirt with freezing temps overnight Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Cut 8 (09) “…or below freezing”

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A 17-year-old is dead following a single vehicle crash last night just after 9PM.  Louisiana State Police responded to a crash on US Hwy 165 just north of Bastrop.  LSP spokesperson Senior Trooper Michael Reichardt says the vehicle was southbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the driver lost control.

Cut 9 (12) “…of the car.”

The driver was buckled up and sustained only minor injuries.  Reichardt says the teen who died was not wearing a safety belt.

Cut 10 (07)   “…of the crash.“

Reichardt says during the holidays, the death of a loved one is news no one wants to receive, and says this is a reminder to always buckle up.

Cut 11 (11) “…save your life.”

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The hype is not as high as it was last weekend when the Tigers and Saints hosted a pair of undefeated football teams, but it’s still a big weekend for the LSU and New Orleans. The Black and Gold are at Cincinnati and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says they better be ready for the 5-and-3 Bengals…

Cut 12 (11)   “…he does.”

In the Saints win over the Rams last week, they held Rams superstar running back Todd Gurley to 68 yards rushing. Linebacker A-J Klein says they face another good ball carrier on Sunday in Joe Mixon…

Cut 13 (11) “…with him.”

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LSU will face an Arkansas team on Saturday that has just two wins. Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron is eager to see how his team bounces back from the Alabama loss…

Cut 14 (08) “very good offense.”

If LSU wins its remaining three remaining games they’ll likely play in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games. Orgeron says winning 10 games is the goal…

Cut 15 (15) “…same page”

11.09.18
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2:30 LRN Newscast November 29

Gwen Collins-Greenup is the surprise participant in the December 8th runoff for Secretary of State. The Demcrat from East Feliciana Parish received nearly as many votes as interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. Analysts say Ardoin will win because he’s a Republican, Collins-Greenup is confident she can get her vote out and if she does win, the political newcomer will look to increase voter turnout…
cut 5 (11) “…our state”
Collins-Greenup is a minister with a law degree, who has worked in the East Feliciana Parish Clerk’s office.

It will be a cold weekend and more cold air is on the way. Tim Destri is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Slidell and says we could see a first major freeze during the middle of next week…
cut 8 (09) “…or below freezing”
High temperatures tomorrow will only be in the 40s to upper 50s.

Another big football weekend is on tap for Louisiana. Maybe not as big as last weekend, when the Tigers and Saints hosted undefeated teams. LSU is at 2-7 Arkansas tomorrow night and Coach Ed Orgeron says finishing with three more wins in the regular season is the goal…
cut 15 (09) “…shooting for”
A 10-win season could get the Tigers into the Sugar, Fiesta or Peach Bowl.

Last week, the Saints held superstar running back Todd Gurley to 68 yards rushing. Linebacker A-J Klein says Cincinnati running back Joe Mixon is also very talented…
cut 13 (11) “…with him”
The Saints and Bengals will kick-off at noon on Sunday. New Orleans is seeking its eighth straight win, while Cincinnati is 5-3 on the season.

11.09.18
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11:40 LRN Sportscast November 9

The LSU football team leaves today for frigid Arkansas where they’ll play the Razorbacks tomorrow night in Fayetteville. The game time temperature is expected to be in the mid-30s.

LSU is hoping to play in a warm weather bowl. CBS-sports-dot-com senior writer Jerry Palm predicts the Tigers will play in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, where they’ll likely face off against a Group of Five school, most likely U-C-F….
cut 17 (12) “….Fiesta Bowl”
ESPN and Sports Illustrated predicts LSU will end up in the Peach Bowl, but they need to win their final three games.

It’s win or go home for Louisiana high school football teams starting tonight as it’s the first round of the playoffs. In Class Five-A, top-seeded West Monroe hosts district rival Pineville. Second-seeded Destrehan hosts Hammond. Acadiana is the three seed and the Wreckin Rams host Live Oak.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters had a sharp reaction to Saints Coach Sean Payton’s statement that they got the match up they wanted on the game-clincing touchdown pass to Michael Thomas last week. Peters seems eager to face the Saints again in the playoffs…
cut 30 (14) “…together”
Peters couldn’t stop Thomas last week as the Saints star receiver had 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown. Peters had coverage on Thomas for six of those catches.

The playoffs basically get underway Saturday for McNeese and Nicholls State. Both teams need to win to keep their hopes alive of getting into the F-C-S playoffs. The Cowboys are at Northwestern State, while the Colonels host Stephen F Austin.

The Ragin Cajuns will be wearing special uniforms on Saturday when they host Georgia State. It’s Military Appreciation Day at Cajun Field for the 4 PM kick-off.

11.09.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast November 9

Cold weather is on the way. State Climatologist Barry Keim says don’t expect the temperature to go up as the day goes on….
cut 7 (11) “…afternoon hours” (2x)
Tomorrow high temperatures will be in the 50s for south Louisiana and upper 40’s for the northern half of the state. Even colder weather arrives at the middle of next week.

Sunday marks Veterans Day and there are 278-thousand veterans in Louisiana. The state’s Veterans Affairs Secretary, Colonel Joey Strickland, says when soldiers return to civilian life, it’s important the transition is seamless as possible…
cut 13 (11) “…of Veteran’s Affairs”
Strickland says if Louisiana Veterans and their families are experiencing financial hardships, they can apply for help through the state’s Military Family Assistance Fund. Go to vet-affairs-dot-la-dot-gov.

Louisiana’s public school report card is out, with fewer As and more Fs than last year. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

Morehouse Parish superintendent David Gray says their school system is broke and they are looking at closing two elementary schools in the parish. Morehouse schools are facing a one-point-five million dollar deficit and laying off 50 employees is also on the table. Gray says a decision on school closures must be decided next month.

11.09.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast November 9

Louisiana’s public school report card is out, and the number of schools scoring “A”s is down while “F”s are up, with 40 percent of schools ordered to submit plans to improve their performance, but there’s a catch, standards were raised this year. Superintendent of Education John White says the bar was raised in several areas.
Cut 10 (11) “…students earn“
13 percent of schools scored an A, while 12- percent of schools nabbed an F rating.

Veterans Day is Sunday. A few years back, there were mounting complaints against V-A hospitals, but Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Colonel Joey Strickland, says medical needs for vets have improved…
cut 14 (10) “…to address that”
Two Republican-run states raised their minimum wage Tuesday, and advocates say that’s great ammunition for Louisiana’s upcoming attempt in 2019.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

An employee at McDonald’s in Columbia is facing gun and drug charges after she allegedly dropped a gun in the restaurant. The weapon went off and a bullet hit a water line in the ceiling. There were no injuries, but Caldwell Parishes deputies arrested the worker and the McDonald’s was closed to fix the water line.

11.09.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast November 9

Two Republican run states voted this week to increase their minimum wage. Arkansas’ wage will go up to 11 dollars an hour by 2021, and Missouri’s minimum wage will rise to 12-dollars by 2023. Efforts to raise the minimum wage in the Bayou State have failed, but New Orleans Senator Troy Carter believes what happened in Arkansas will help convince lawmakers in Louisiana that our minimum wage of $7.25 is to low…
Cut 4 (09) “…and wrong.″
The National Federation of Independent Businesses opposes raising the wage as they say an increase at entry level jobs would necessitate pay raises at higher positions, something businesses can’t afford.

Shreveport Police are trying determine who killed a couple that was found in a burning car. It’s believed the victims earlier in the night gave a man a ride home from Mall St. Vincent.

School performance scores are out and the percentage of public schools that received an “A” went down, while the percentage of “Fs” increased. Schools are judged by a more rigorous scoring system and there’s also nearly 40-percent of schools who will have to submit an improvement plan. Education Superdintendent John White….
cut 12 (09) “…our kids”
The report labeled the public education system as a whole in Louisiana as “B”.

Sunday is Veterans Day a chance to honor the 278-thousand veterans who live in our state. Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says his office is working to make sure younger veterans have the education skills they need to make sure they succeed as a civilian…
cut 15 (10) “…foundation for that”

11.09.18
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7:30 LRN Newscast November 9

The Louisiana Department of Education has released school performance scores. Education Superintendent John White says over 500 schools have been identified as struggling and must submit an improvement plan to the state…
cut 11 (10) “…those plans”
13-percent of schools received an “A” grade while 12-percent of schools statewide received an “F” grade.

On election day, Missouri and Arkansas voters agreed to raise their state’s minimum wage above the federal minimum wage. Louisiana is now one of just five states that still goes by the federal minimum wage of $7.25. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter has been a proponent of raising the wage…
cut 5 (10) “….fair wage”
Carter says he’ll once again file legislation next year to raise the wage.

Sunday marks Veterans Day and there are 278-thousand veterans in Louisiana. The state’s Veterans Affairs Secretary, Colonel Joey Strickland, says its important to remember our country is still at war and when our soldiers return to civilian life, it’s important the transition is seamless as possible…
cut 13 (11) “…of Veteran’s Affairs”
Strickland says if Louisiana Veterans and their families are experiencing financial hardships, he advises them to apply for help through the state’s Military Family Assistance Fund. Go to vet-affairs-dot-la-dot-gov.

Rain is falling across a good portion of the state and once the rain moves out, cold air will move in. State Climatologist Barry Keim says temperatures will be just above freezing in north Louisiana tomorrow morning…
cut 9 (11) “…event”
Even colder weather is in the forecast for the middle of next week.

11.09.18
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints newest acquisition, Dez Bryant, spoke with the media for the first time since inking a deal with the black and gold to finish out the season. He joins a depleted receiving core that’s lost Ted Ginn Jr, Tommy Lee Lewis, and now Cameron Meredith to injuries. The former All-Pro says he’s excited about the opportunity to work with his new squad.
Cut 19 (13) “…with these guys.”
So will Bryant play this Sunday against Cincinnati? Coach Sean Payton says they are taking it one day at a time.

A win over the Bengals and the Saints lead for first place in the NFC South will grow to two games, because the Steelers crushed the Panthers 55-21 last night. Tough night for Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. He was sacked five times and threw a pick six.

If LSU is able to win its final three games, the Tigers are in position to play in one of the New Years Six bowl games. CBS-sports-dot-com Senior Writer Jerry Palm says the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans is a possibility for the Tigers….
Cut 16 (11) “…as well.”
If Georgia doesn’t make the four-team playoff or if the Bulldogs do not finish higher than LSU in the college football playoff rankings, than LSU will end up at the Sugar Bowl. And Coach Ed Orgeron says defensive linemen Breiden Fehoko will not play tomorrow against Arkansas because of an injury. So your starting defensive line will be Ed Alexander, Glen Logan and Rashard Lawrence. Safety John Battle will only play in an emergency.

Here’s the college football schedule for Saturday, Louisiana Tech will host Rice. McNeese tries to remain in first place in the Southland as the Cowboys host Northwestern State. Nicholls is also in a three-way tie for first place and the Colonels host Stephen F Austin.