Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

09.27.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast

State Police say one of their Troopers used deadly force before one A-M this morning in Hammond. L-S-P says it occurred during a traffic stop. This Hammond resident witnessed and heard the gunshots while at a late-night downtown Hammond restaurant. He says it appeared the suspect tried to take off…
cut 4 (08) “…he started firing”
State Police says the suspect died a local hospital. The Trooper was not injured.

A federal appeals court has ruled that a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals is constitutional. A Pro-choice group filed a lawsuit against the 2014 law claiming it would make it difficult if not impossible for a women to get an abortion in this state. But one of the appellate judges said there’s no evidence that any Louisiana clinic would close because of this law.

A Pineville man has been arrested after an alleged sexual assault as well as trying to entice the victim not to report it by pretending to be a cop…
Cut 2 (31) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In the House, U-S Representative Ralph Abraham gave a touching speech honoring Wes Wesselhoft of Ruston, who flew bombers during the Vietnman War. He’s now legally blind because of Agent Orange exposure…
cut 6 (07) “….be forgotten”
Wesselhoft and his family also lived through a German internment camp during World War II.

09.27.18
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9:30 LRN Newscast September 27

The Senate Judiciary committee is hearing from Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, who accuses the Supreme Court nominee of sexually assaulting her during a high school party in the 1980s. Local political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a smart move on behalf of the committee to have a female prosecutor ask the difficult questions…
cut 14 (11) “…Republicans then”
Senator John Kennedy sits on the Judiciary Committee and says he’ll be listening very carefully.

Shots rang out just before 1 AM in downtown Hammond as State Police say one of their troopers had to use their weapon on a suspect during a traffic stop. The man died at a local hospital, while the trooper was not injured. No other details are available at this time.

And Four Troopers were injured yesterday in Alexandria during a high speeds chase involving a juvenile driver.

US Representative Ralph Abraham honors a Vietnam Vet from Ruston on the House Floor. Connor Ferrill has more…
voicer 1 (29) “….I’m Connor Ferrill”

A poll on the November 6th special election for Secretary of State shows Democrat Renee Fontenot Free leading a large field of candidates. The survey was paid for by Republican candidate Rick Edmonds, which shows Edmonds and fellow GOP state legislator Julie Stokes in a tie for second. Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is in the single digits.

09.27.18
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8:30 LRN Newscast September 27

A high drama, high stakes hearing takes place today involving one of the woman who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. Senator John Kennedy will be in that room. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 3 (32) “…reporting”

Just after midnight, a State Trooper had to use deadly force on a suspect during a traffic stop in Hammond. The Trooper was not injured, while the suspect died at a local hospital. L-S-P has not released any other details.

A Pineville man charged with third-degree rape allegedly tried to tell the victim he was a police officer. Captain Tommy Carnline is with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office….
cut 8 (12) “…report anything”
Carnline says 38-year-old Mark Roberts is facing numerous charges including third degree rape and false impersonation of a police officer.

A Ruston resident who is now legally blind from exposure to Agent Orange while flying bombers in the Vietnam War was honored on the House floor by US Representative Ralph Abraham. The Congressman says Wes Wesselhoeft also spent time in a German internment camp during World War Two and then traded to the Germans for American POWs. Abraham says when Wesselhoeft returned to the U-S, he knew what he wanted to do…
cut 5 (07) “…Air Force”

09.27.18
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7:30 LRN Newscast September 27

An historic hearing takes place today as Doctor Christine Blasey Ford testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee where she is expected to provide detailed allegations of sexual misconduct by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Louisiana’s John Kennedy, who may run for governor, sits on that committee and says he plans to listen very carefully. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation could have an impact on next year’s governor’s race…
cut 15 (09) “…popular in Louisiana”

A poll on the November Secretary of State’s race shows Democrat Renee Fontenot-Free leading eight other candidates, while Republicans Rick Edmonds and Julie Stokes are battling for the second run-off spot. Edmonds commissioned JMC Analitics John Couvillon to conduct the poll and he says the undecided vote is rather high…
cut 12 (06) “…very end”

A Pineville man who claimed to be a police officer has been booked for third-degree rape, plus other charges. Captain Tommy Carnline is with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office….
cut 7 (09) “…third degree rape”
Carnline says 38-year-old Mark Roberts is also charged with False Impersanation of a Police officer for allegedly telling the victim that he was cop in an effort to keep the victim from reporting the incident.

Congressman Ralph Abraham took time on the House floor to honor Vietnam Veteran Adolf Wesselhoeft, who is now legally blind from exposure to agent Orange. Abraham says the Ruston resident is the son of German immigrants. He and his family were forced into a US internment camp during World War II before being traded to the Germans in 1944 for American POW’s. Abraham says during that difficult time Wesselhoeft’s love for his country did not fade…
Cut 4 (10) “…America”
Abraham says Wesselhoeft returned to the United States, he promptley joined the Air Force.

09.27.18
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6:45 LRN Sportscast September 27

The NFL’s updated roughing the passer rule is the league’s big controversy for this season in an attempt to protect the quarterback, 34 roughing the passer flags have been thrown through the season’s first three weeks, compared to just 16 a year ago. Saints Coach Sean Payton, who sits on NFL’s competition committee, says the flag should be thrown when a player intentionally places all his weight on the quarterback, but flags have been thrown when they should have stayed in the refs pocket
Cut 19 (14) “ biggest challenge”
The Saints visit the Giants Sunday. Defensive end Cam Jordan and running back Alvin Kamara were limited in practice yesterday because of injuries.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said during his radio show last night he expects injured starting offensive guard Garrett Brumfield will miss at least a couple of weeks. True freshmen Chasen Hines from Marshall, Texas will take Brumfield’s place in the starting line up.

Through the first month of the college football season, Adrian Hardy has become Louisiana Tech’s top wide receiver as he’s caught 19 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says he’s not surprised by the sophomore’s success…
cut 17 (22) “….he’s learning”
Hardy and the Bulldogs offense will need to play well Saturday when they visit undefeated North Texas. The Mean Green defense leads the nation with 10 interceptions.

Pelicans All-Star power forward Anthony Davis says he’s the best player in the N-B-A. The former number one overall pick finished third last season in M-V-P voting as he put up huge numbers.

09.27.18
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6:30 LRN Newscast September 27

The nation’s attention will be focused today on testimony from Doctor Christine Blasey Ford who will answer questions about her sexual misconduct allegations made against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Senator John Kennedy is on the Senate Judiciary Committee, so what can we expect from him? Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 13 (10) “…the full senate.”
Kennedy says he has not prepared any questions for today’s hearing.

In the House, U-S Representative Ralph Abraham gave a touching speech honoring Adolf Wesselhoft of Ruston, who flew bombers during the Vietnman War. He’s now legally blind because of Agent Orange exposure…
cut 6 (07) “….be forgotten”
Wesselhoft and his family also lived through a German internment camp during World War II.

A new poll for the Secretary of State’s special election in November is out, with Democrat Renee Fontenot Free in the lead, followed by Republicans Julie Stokes and Rick Edmonds. The poll, by JMC Analytics, was commissioned by Edmonds. Pollster John Couvillion says the early lead for a Democrat in a red state isn’t surprising, considering how many republicans are running.
Cut 10 (10) “six ways.“
The rest of the candidates sit in the low single digits, including Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin who took over after Tom Schedler’s resignation that sparked the special election.

09.26.18
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16:45 LRN Sportscast Sept 26

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week today after throwing for 396 yards and three touchdowns in the 43-37 win over the Falcons. During the game, Brees set an NFL record for most career completions and just needs 417 yards to overtake Peyton Manning for most passing yards.

5th ranked LSU will face one of the top passing games in the SEC this Saturday when they take on Ole Miss. The Rebels are averaging 348 yards per game through the air. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has thrown 10 touchdown passes to just three interceptions and his top receiver, A-J Brown has caught 26 passes. Tigers Cornerback Greedy Williams says they have to stop Ta’amu through the air and on the ground….
cut 18 (14) “….bad reads”
Last year, LSU beat Ole Miss 40-24 and they held A-J Brown to just four catches for 39 yards.

After beating Sam Houston State for the first time 13 years, the 15th ranked Nicholls State Colonels are back home this Saturday to host Lamar. Nicholls is looking to go 2-1 in the league against a Cardinals team that’s 1-and-3 overall.

McNeese will try to improve its league record to 3-0 as they’ll host Stephen F Austin on Saturday at 6 PM in Cowboy Stadium. Northwestern State will travel to Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are 1-1 in league play, while the Demons, who were off last week, are 1-0.

Grambling State Coach Broderick Fobbs is sticking with Aldon Clark as his starting quarterback, even though he threw for just 37 yards in last week’s shutout win over Alabama State. Clark and the Tigers are in Dallas this Saturday for their annual matchup with Prairie View A-and-M in the State Fair Classic.

Southern is 2-2 on the season, even though they have a turnover ratio of negative six. The Jaguars host one of the SWAC’s best teams at Mumford Stadium on Saturday when they face Alcorn State for a 6 PM kickoff.

09.26.18
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LRN PM Newscall September 26 ###changes name of soundbite in 1st story###

After 15 years on the run, 44 year old Lonnie Payne is returning to East Feliciana Parish in shackles. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Louisiana Economic Outlook for 2019-2020 has been unveiled and is showing optimism in much of the state.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Georgetown University study is out that touts the results of the state’s Medicaid expansion as a major success when it comes to improving the quality of life in rural communities. The report showed major declines in the uninsured rate in those communities after the expansion. Research Professor Adam Searing says the numbers were fairly astonishing.

Cut 3 (10) “…small towns.” 

Louisiana was a late comer to the Medicaid expansion that’s been blocked by governors in many Republican controlled states. Searing says in just two years since the expansion, the disparity between health outcomes in cities and small towns has begun to fall.

Cut 4 (12) “…other states.”

And Searing says it’s not just the uninsured and working poor that see a boost from Medicaid expansions. He says the additional revenue from Medicaid patients makes its way back into the community in ways insured people may not realize…

Cut 5 (11)  “…the community.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards recently celebrated numbers that he says show the expansion is more than paying for itself in economic benefits to the state.

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After treading water Congress only has four days to reauthorize the Land and Water conservation fund before the environmental program that helps funds outdoor destinations across the state comes to an end. Louisiana Hypoxia Working Group Coordinator Doug Daigle, on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, says it’s a vital program that funds the construction of many parks.

Cut 6 (08) “…conservation fund.”

Daigel says a number of major state locations have been constructed and maintained with cash from the fund that uses revenue from the oil industry and other natural resource extractors to assist in construction efforts.

Cut 7 (11) “…river creole.”

He says given Louisiana’s outdoorsmen economy, a failure to reauthorize would have economic penalties for the state.

Daigel says if it’s not reauthorized, parish and local efforts to rebuild parks and other family friendly outdoor locations that were damaged in the 2016 floods could be jeopardized.

Cut 8 (10) “…recreation”

The fund was created in 1964.

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After 15 years on the run, 44-year-old Lonnie Payne is returning to East Feliciana Parish in shackles.  Payne had been living in Mexico since his July 2003 escape, when he was serving twelve years for a burglary in Jefferson Parish.  Last month, he attempted to come back to the states, presented border officials with a fake identity.  East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis said the original chase at the time of the escape was quite extensive but came up short.

cut 9 (10) “…got into Mexico.”
Travis says upon hitting the checkpoint, Payne’s luck ran out.

Cut 10 (11) “…took him into custody.”

After a few days in the clink in Mexico, Travis says Payne was motivated to real his true identity.

Cut 11 (06)“…tell who he is.”

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The Louisiana Economic Outlook predicts the state will add  nearly 60-thousand jobs before 2020 ends, surpassing the 2 million job mark next year for the first time in history.  LSU economist Loren Scott says after emerging from the 2016 floods and the 2017 lull in construction, Baton Rouge should see a continuing rise.

Cut 12 (06)   “…19 and 20.” 
Scott says Louisiana economy suffered a 28-month recession losing many jobs in the oil patch including just over 21-thousand jobs in Lafayette and 16-thousand in Houma.  It’s now expected that the oil patch has bottomed out and will now be on the rebound.

Cut 13 (10) “…continue to rise.”
The Lake Charles area has been the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States between 2013 and 2018.  Scott says over the next three years, he foresees three major liquefied natural gas export terminals to begin building.

Cut 14 (07) “…industrial construction jobs.”

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09.26.18
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11:40 sports

A struggling Saints secondary will be without cornerback Patrick Robinson for at least eight weeks as the Black and Gold have reportedly placed him on injured reserve after suffering a broken ankle in Sunday’s win over the Falcons. Williams has been the team’s nickel back. He could come back after staying on I-R for eight weeks. New Orleans has yet to sign someone to take his place. Former Washington and Oakland cornerback David Amerson is reportedly scheduled to visit the Saints this week.

LSU’s defense is spending the week correcting the mistakes that resulted in Louisiana Tech Quarterback J’Mar Smith throwing for 330 yards against the Tigers last Saturday. Cornerback Greedy Williams…
cut 17 (14) “…all you can do”
LSU faces the SEC’s top passing team this Saturday, the Ole Miss Rebels.

Grambling State Coach Broderick Fobbs is sticking with Aldon Clark as his starting quarterback, even though he threw for just 37 yards in last week’s shutout win over Alabama State. Clark and the Tigers are in Dallas this Saturday for their annual matchup with Prairie View A-and-M in the State Fair Classic.

ULM is at Georgia State Saturday for the start of a three-game road trip. Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says the Panthers leading rusher is their quarterback Dan Ellington and they also have a dangerous receiver and return man in Penny Hart….
cut 20 (20) “….last year”
Kick off is at 1 PM.

Houston’s 4-1 win over Toronto last night was their 100th of the season and they clinched the N-L West for a second straight year.

09.26.18
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06:45 LRN Sportscast

The Tigers take on Ole Miss Saturday after getting scorched by La Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith in an unexpectedly close game where the Bulldogs threw for 330 yards on LSU’s defense. The Purple and Gold secondary has looked vulnerable at times, cornerback Greedy Williams says its something they are trying to correct…
Cut 16 (15) “.. upcoming week .
Saturday’s game kicks off at 8:15.

The Saints will have to play at the least next two months without cornerback Patrick Robinson. He was placed on injured reserve with a broken ankle suffered in the win over Atlanta. Robinson could be eligible to return after eight weeks, but the team has not said if that’s a possiblity. New Orleans faces the New York Giants this Sunday.

ULM heads to Georgia State for the start of a three-game road trip. The Warhawks opened Sun Belt play with a 35-27 loss to Troy last week. Coach Matt Viator’s team fell behind 35-7 at halftime and he’s still trying to figure out why they didn’t perform well in the first half…
Cut 19 (19) “ happen again”
Viator says their leading receiver, Marcus Green, is day-to-day with a hand injury.

Grambling will be in Dallas on Saturday for their annual matchup against Prarie View A-and-M. Tigers Coach Broderick Fobbs says Aldon Clark will continue to start for them at quarterback. Clark threw for just 34 yards in a win over Alabama State last Saturday. .

Tulane has a short week. The Green Wave hosts Memphis Friday night on ESPN 2. Tulane is off to a 1-3 start.