Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.13.25
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The McNeese Cowboys are headed to the Big Dance for a second consecutive year after winning the Southland Conference Tournament in Lake Charles  beating their biggest rival Lamar 63 to 54. Quadir (qwah deer) Copeland led the way with 18 points. The transfer from Syracuse is going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time…

Cut 20 (13) “…was amazing”

The defending champs of the SWAC Tournament, the Grambling Tigers, upset top seeded Southern 65 to 62 in overtime. Tough loss for the Jaguars who won 20 games this year. Meanwhile, Grambling will play again on Friday.

LSU’s season ended last night with a 91 to 62 loss to Mississippi State. The Tigers finish Matt McMahon’s third season with a 14-and-18 record.

______________________________

A new league year is underway in the NFL and the Saints officially announced the signing of safety Justin Reid. The former Dutchtown star comes to New Orleans after winning two Super Bowls with the Chiefs. The Saints also announced the trade that sent defensive tackle Davon Godchaux of Plaquemine from New England to New Orleans for a seventh round pick in 2026.

Spring football got underway this week for the LSU Tigers and it’s a chance for quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to start working with his new skill position players on offense. The Tigers have 16 transfers who have joined the program, including several new wide receivers and a tight end. Coach Brian Kelly this is a good time to get that connection down…

Cut 16 (20) “…last year.”

03.12.25
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The top ranked LSU baseball team has won 12 in a row after last night’s 18 to 4 victory over Xavier of Ohio. Jared Jones and Daniel Dickinson got the Tigers off to a hot start with home runs in the first inning. Tanner Reaves hit a grand slam in the third inning to give the Tigers a 17 to 0 lead. Jake Brown had three run scoring singles and talked about the ride this team is on….

Cut 21 (14) “….complement”

LSU will begin SEC play on Friday by hosting Missouri.

The fourth ranked LSU softball team put a beat down on its in-state rival U L Lafayette yesterday, blanking the Cajuns 14 to 0.

A huge upset in the quarterfinals of the SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament as eighth Grambling takes on top seeded Southern 65 to 62 in overtime. The Jaguars just won a regular season title, but the Tigers are defending their SWAC Tournament title from a year ago.

 

A new league year starts in the NFL today and the Saints have announced their trade with New England that brings them former LSU star and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from New England in exchange for a seventh round draft pick in 2026. Luke Johnson covers the Saints for the Advocate and says the Saints needed a nose tackle to play in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s three-four scheme…

Cut 17 (17)  “…is a win.”

LSU has officially announced Kyle Williams as its new defensive line coach, signing him to a three-year contract. The Tigers have had a new defensive line coach for six straight seasons. But Head Coach Brian Kelly is hopeful Williams is here to stay…

Cut 14 (09) “…that perspective.”

03.12.25
by

2:30 LRN Newscast

On the heels of a legal challenge to Amendment 2’s inclusion on the March 29th ballot now comes an effort to get amendments 1 and 3 pulled. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

During a speech at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Governor Jeff Landry says he’s preparing an executive order that will greatly curtail work from home options for state workers…

Cut 15 (09) “….everybody back”

 

The U-S Department of Education is laying off more than 13-hundred workers, which is half of its staff. The massive reduction in workers comes as President Trump has discussed dismantling the federal agency. Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley supports the idea of eliminating the department of education and allow the states to decide their educational needs…

Cut 6 (07) “…excellence.”

Education Secretary Linda McMahon says she wants to reduce the bloat at the U-S Department of Education, which she believes will result in more federal dollars for local education.

Former LSU All-American Kyle Williams is now teaching defensive tackles at LSU as he’s the Tigers new defensive line coach. Williams started his new when spring practice began on Saturday and Coach Brian Kelly says the former NFL star knows how to coach the position…

Cut 13 (13) “…to me”

Williams has signed a three-year contract to be the defensive line coach at LSU.

03.12.25
by

11:40 LRN Sportscast

LSU has officially announced Kyle Williams as its new defensive line coach. The former All-American defensive tackle won a national title at LSU in 2003 and spent 13 seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, earning All-Pro honors six times. Head coach Brian Kelly says Williams brings an impressive resume to their staff…

Cut 12 (11) “…at LSU”

For the last five seasons, Williams was the defensive coordinator at his alma mater at Ruston High School. He will oversee the coaching of the interior defensive line.

The top ranked LSU baseball team is ready for the start of SEC play as they hammered Xavier of Ohio 18 to 4 last night for their 12th straight victory. Tanner Reaves hit a grand slam and Jared Jones blasted his seventh home run of the season. The Tigers host Missouri in the SEC opener on Friday night at the Box.

Two players from Louisiana will be the starting safeties for the Saints next season. The Saints have restructured the contract of veteran safety and fan favorite Tyrann Mathieu. New Orleans has also signed former Dutchtown High School star and two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Reid to a three-year, 31.5-million-dollar contract. But Luke Johnson who overs the Saints for the Advocate says New Orleans will need another cornerback, with Paulson Adebo leaving New York on a free agent contract…

Cut 18 (11) “….this offseason”

At the boys basketball playoffs….Plainview, Country Day, Avoyelles Public Charter, Calvary Baptist and Lacassine all advanced to championship games yesterday.

03.12.25
by

9:30 LRN newscast

U-S District Judge Shelly Dick has put a halt to the scheduled execution of Jessie Hoffman, who was set to become the first death row inmate in Louisiana to be put to death with nitrogen gas. Dick halted the execution over concerns it’s cruel and unusual punishment. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says in a statement that the state disagrees with Judge Dick’s decision and will immediately appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Loyola University Law professor Dane Ciolino says it’s unclear when this execution will happen, if it does…

Cut 15 (10) “…perhaps months”

Judge Dick said in her ruling that a firing squad would be a quicker and a more humane method. Hoffman was sent to death row after he was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Hoffman testified he’s fine with being executed, but since he’s Buddhist he does not want to be put to death with nitrogen gas.

 

The National Federal of Independent Business says small business optimism has fallen as inflation remains a problem, along with labor quality. NFIB state director Leah Long says there’s also uncertainty over a 20-percent small business tax deduction that’s set to expire…

Cut 8 (07) “….massive tax hike”

Long says small businesses in Louisiana are also concerned about insurance rates.

 

New Orleans saw a huge decrease in crime this Carnival season. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick credits the cooperation between local, state and federal resources, in light of Mardi Gras being designated a SEAR-1 event by the Department of Homeland Security. Kirkpatrick says during the 12-days of Carnival, NOPD made 388 arrests – a huge drop from last year.

Cut 10 (06) “…in crime incidents”

The NOPD says it’s the fewest reported number of crimes since 2019.

03.12.25
by

8:30 LRN Newscast

A ruling from a federal judge in Baton Rouge has delayed the execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman. Colleen Crain has the story.

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

A 39-year-old West Baton Rouge Parish woman has entered a not guilty plea to a felony charge for allegedly obtaining abortion inducing drugs from a doctor in New York and then providing them to her pregnant teenage daughter. The doctor, Margaret Carpenter, also faces charges, but New York’s laws prevent Louisiana from going into their state to arrest her for this type of activity.

The New Orleans Police Department says crime during the Mardi Gras carnival season was way down this year. NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says this year, there were 493 crimes reported, compared to 951 last year. She says both violent crime and property crime saw huge decreases this year.

Cut 11 (07) “…crimes against property.”

18 firearms were confiscated during Carnival season.

For years, Southwest Airlines has allowed all passengers to check up to two bags free, but that’s changing as of May 28th. The Dallas-based airline will start charging for bags after that date, unless you are in the upper tier of their Rapid Rewards loyalty program, have a business class ticket or use the airline’s credit card. UNO business professor Mark Rosa still expects Southwest Airlines to be a popular choice for travelers…

Cut 5 (05) “…the ticket”

03.12.25
by

7:30 LRN Newscast

Jessie Hoffman will not be executed next Tuesday. Federal Judge Shelly Dick ruled in favor of the death row inmate in his quest for the state not to use nitrogen hypoxia to execute him for kidnapping, raping and killing a woman in 1996. Loyola University New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says Hoffman gave compelling testimony that was likely the deciding factor in Judge Dick’s ruling.

Cut 13 (09)  “…the Eighth Amendment.”

During a daylong hearing on Friday, Hoffman told Judge Dick that he is a Buddhist and breathing techniques are a big part of the religion. Hoffman says  with nitrogen hypoxia he would not be able to practice his religion at the time of his death. The state is appealing Judge Dick’s ruling.

Funeral services are today in Franklin for former First Lady Alice Foster. She was the wife of former two-term governor Mike Foster. Alice Foster died last Thursday at the age of 84.

Crime in New Orleans during Carnival season saw a huge drop this year. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A national survey of small businesses finds optimism is receding among small business owners. State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Leah Long, says there are concerns about what’s happening on the federal and state levels with pending legislation…

Cut 9 (09) “…on insurance rates”

03.12.25
by

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Former Dutchtown High School star and two-time Super Bowl champion safety Justin Reid has reportedly signed a three-year, 31.5 million dollar contract with the Saints The 28-year-old Reid had 87 tackles and two interceptions for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. The Prairieville native is expected to start opposite of fellow safety Tyran Mathieu, who will stay with the Saints next season as the Honey Badger is expected to sign a reworked one-year deal that includes incentives on playing time.

The Saints are also bringing back tight end Juwan Johnson on a three year deal worth more than 30-million dollars..

The Saints have officially announced the three-year contract extension for defensive end Chase Young. Luke Johnson with the Advocate believes it was a wise decision to bring Young back on a long-term deal…

Cut 16 (17) “…potential there.”

 

The top ranked LSU baseball team continues to show they are ready for the start of SEC play as they hammered Xavier of Ohio 18 to 4 last night for the Tigers 12th straight victory. LSU had 18 hits last night. Tanner Reaves hit a grand slam and former Sulphur star Jake Brown had three hits and drove in three runs. Jared Jones blasted his seventh home run of the season. Daniel Dickinson hit his sixth. The Tigers host Missouri in the SEC opener on Friday.

Also last night….the Ragin Cajuns defeated Southern seven to five, Northwestern State over Grambling 11 to 1. ULM beat Alcorn by that same score and Tulane topped Nicholls nine to five.

In the Southland men’s basketball tournament in Lake Charles…McNeese and Lamar advanced to the championship game. The Cowboys downed Northwestern State 83 to 64 and the Cardinals dribbled past the Colonels 58 to 55. The championship game is at 4 PM.

 

03.12.25
by

6:30 LRN Newscast

U-S District Judge Shelly Dick has halted the March 18th execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman. Hoffman was set to be the state’s first nitrogen gas execution. But Dick says the courts need more time to answer the question whether the nitrogen hypoxia method is cruel and unusual punishment and violates the Eighth Amendment of the U-S Constitution. The state is appealing. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says if Hoffman is executed, it will not happen for a while…

Cut 14 (10) “…. hypoxia at all”

In her ruling, Judge Dick said a firing squad would be a quicker and more humane method. Hoffman is on death row for the 1996 kidnapping, rape and murder of Molly Elliot who was walking to her car in New Orleans when Hoffman attacked her. Hoffman left Elliott’s body in the Middle Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish.

 

Many people fly Southwest Airlines because you can check two bags for free but that policy is changing on May 28th…..

Cut 1 (33) “….I”m Sean Richardson”

 

A national survey finds small businesses are less optimistic than they were a month ago. Leah Long is the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business…

Cut 7 (08) “….doing business here”

Inflation and labor quality remain the two biggest problems for small businesses.

03.11.25
by

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The top-ranked LSU baseball team gets its final tune-up before the start of SEC play tonight as the Tigers host Xavier of Ohio. The Musketeers are 7-and-9 and have lost four in a row, but those four losses came against second-ranked Tennessee, and they got swept by 12th-ranked Vanderbilt. First pitch is at 6:30.

In other action tonight, Southern is at U-L Lafayette. ULM hosts Alcorn State, Grambling travels to Northwestern State and Nicholls visits Tulane.

Tonight is the semi-final round of the Southland men’s basketball tournament…Northwestern State will try to upset top-seeded McNeese and then Nicholls will look to take down Lamar.

At the high school boys’ basketball tournament… top-seeded Calvary Baptist will face fifth-seeded Rosepine in a Division Three select semi-final. In a Class B semi-final contest, top-seeded Lacassine will face fourth-seeded Simsboro.

In the Class C semifinals earlier today, Plainview beat Gibsland-Coleman 64 to 55.

___________________________________________________

The Saints are bringing back fan favorite and safety Tyrann Mathieu. According to New-Orleans-dot-football, the Black and Gold have reworked Mathieu’s contract, and he’ll make up to seven-point-two million dollars this year.

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr’s contract was restructured over the weekend, converting part of his deal to a signing bonus. The move saves the Saints 30-million dollars in salary cap space, and it means Carr will get his full 40-million dollars in salary for 2025. Coach Kellen Moore is glad Carr will be with the Black and Gold in 2025…

Cut 14 (07) “…good situation.”

Moore’s new staff was made available to the media yesterday. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley on why he wanted to be part of the new coaching staff in New Orleans…

Cut 18 (15) “….just really special”