Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

03.04.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU has moved up to number one in D-1 Baseball’s Top 25 ranking. The 11-and-1 Tigers are ranked ahead of Tennessee who is undefeated on the season. D-1 baseball’s Aaron Fitt on why LSU has a slight edge over the defending national champs…

Cut 16 (18) “…LSU rotation.”

And it looks like the Tigers have a lead off man. Freshman left fielder Derek Curiel got on base 21 times in 30 trips during the four games in Texas. Tonight, the Tigers host North Dakota State.

In other action tonight, ULM is at third ranked Arkansas. The Warhawks are coming off a series loss to Missouri State. Louisiana Tech hosts Nicholls for a midweek series starting tonight at 6 PM. The Colonels have lost five in a row, while the Bulldogs dropped a weekend series to Memphis.

The McNeese men’s basketball team finished off the regular season with a resounding 95 to 64 win over Stephen F Austin last night. It was the ninth straight win for the Cowboys, who also snapped a 14-game losing streak to the Lumberjacks. The Pokes will not play again until next Tuesday in the semifinal round of the Southland Tournament.

Nicholls is a three-seed in the Southland Tourney despite last night’s 63-53 loss to Lamar. Northwestern State is a four seed and has a first-round bye. The Demons beat UIW 73 to 57 yesterday as Micah Thomas had 19 points.

Southeastern is a six seed and the Lions lost last night to Texas Rio Grande Valley 77 to 76.

Yesterday as the LHSAA girls basketball tournament, Lakeview, Arcadia, Summerfield, Simpson and Sacred Heart of New Orleans were winners in semifinal action. In Lakeview’s 48 to 44 win over Midland, Timberlyn Washington had 23 points for the Lady Gators.

03.04.25
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6:30 LRN Newscast

Many Mardi Gras parades across south Louisiana are starting earlier than scheduled this morning because of high winds and approaching severe weather. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 3 (37) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

There’s an enhanced risk, level three out of five, for severe weather for all of north and central Louisiana today. Baton Rouge and Hammond and much of the north shore are also covered in that enhanced threat. Slight risk for the rest of the state.

It’s a traditional Mardi Gras celebration in Eunice today. The Cajun Mardi Gras festival started last Friday and wraps up today with a parade that pays tribute to the heritage and customs of the Acadian people who settled in southwest Louisiana. Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says for visitors it’s truly a unique experience.

Cut 7 (08) “…the whole outfit.”

Fontenot says there of course a run where men on horseback will collect the ingredients to make a traditional gumbo.

President Trump will give a speech to a joint session of Congress tonight at 8 PM. A senior administration official says Trump will likely focus on immigration, tariffs, DOGE and DEI. After the President speaks, LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will give the Democrats response…

Cut 6 (08) “….at the present time”

03.03.25
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5:30 LRN Newscast

Severe weather is putting a damper on Mardi Gras parades. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the greatest threat for severe weather tomorrow is all of north and central Louisiana and a part of south Louisiana…

Cut 7 (05) “….south of I-10”

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands on how to deal with the effects of bird flu and how to get egg prices under control.

Cut 9 (17)  “…and for poultry.”

Strain says it also might be time to import foreign eggs to help lower prices.

Former LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell ran the 40 yard dash under five seconds and made a vertical jump over 30 inches at the NFL draft combine, which is impressive for the former Neville star. Campbell believes he’s the best offensive tackle in the draft…

Cut 19 (17) “..separates me.”

There are some mock drafts that have the Patriots taking Campbell with the fourth overall pick.

03.03.25
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4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU is the new number one team in D-1 baseball’s Top 25 poll. The Tigers went 4-0 last week in Texas and second baseman Daniel Dickinson is emerging as a star for this team. The transfer from Utah Valley is leading the Tigers with 21 RBIs. Dickinson didn’t have a single scholarship offer from a Division One school coming out of high school in Seattle, but that didn’t stop him…

Cut 18 (14) “…like that’

Dickinson drove in six runs in Friday’s 10-inning win over Kansas State in the Frisco College Baseball Classic.

Tonight…McNeese will take on Stephen F Austin in a game that will be on ESPN-U. Northwestern State will host UIW. Nicholls travels to Lamar,  Southeastern Louisiana visits UTRGV, and Grambling visits Bethune-Cookman.

Former LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell ran the 40 yard dash under five seconds and made a vertical jump over 30 inches at the NFL draft combine, which is impressive for the former Neville star. Campbell was a three-year starter at LSU. In his final 30 games, he allowed only two sacks. Campbell puts his resume up against any of the other tackles…

Cut 19 (17) “..separates me.”

There are some mock drafts that have the Patriots taking Campbell with the fourth overall pick.

The LSU women’s basketball team lost its fourth game of the season yesterday, falling to Ole Miss 85 to 77. The Lady Tigers finish the regular season 27-4, 12-4 in the SEC and they are the three-seed in the SEC tourney which is this week. Flau’Jae Johnson will not play in the conference tournament as she’s out with a shin injury.

03.03.25
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LRN PM Newscall March 3

Severe weather is putting a damper on Mardi Gras parades. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Authorities have made at least one arrest in a shooting that wounded five people after Mardi Gras parade in Franklinton last night. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (24) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Mardi Gras parades will not be rolling in Jefferson Parish tomorrow. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says that’s because the high winds in the forecast will make conditions unsafe. 

Cut 3 (11) “…hour is possible.” 

President Sheng says if those wind speeds are high enough to keep buses and Entergy crews off the roads, they’re certainly high enough to make conditions for a parade unsafe.

Cut 4 (14) “…tents, chairs, tarps.”

Sheng says this is not a decision that she wanted to make, but the weather forecast left her with no other choice.

Cut 5 (14) “…work with us.”

Parade times have been moved up in the towns of Kaplan, Crowley, New Roads and Franklin.

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The state is forecast to have its first major potential spring weather event; and unfortunately, it arrives on Fat Tuesday. Meteorologist Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says the severe weather threat begins tomorrow morning.

Cut 6 (11) “…there as well.”

Hemingway says most severe weather is forecast to move across North Louisiana, but could possibly extend south into Central Louisiana.

Cut 7 (05) “…south of I-10.”

Hemingway says to expect sever weather to move into northwest Louisiana around 9 a.m.

Cut 8 (11) “…through sunset.”

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Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollands on how to deal with the effects of bird flu and how to get egg prices under control.

Cut 9 (17)  “…and for poultry.”

Strain also says they will temporarily allow the import of eggs into the United States to help decrease egg prices and allow poultry farmers to increase the egg supply.

Cut 10 (15) “…rebuild the population.”

Strain says there is not an overnight solution but is confident that in time egg prices should be back under control, and back to normal.

Cut 11 (03) “…gonna be riots.”

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While parades in Jefferson Parish are cancelled tomorrow due to the high winds, New Orleans is working to fit in its parades. The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Krewe of Rex will still hold their parades – Zulu at 7 a.m. and Rex at 9 a.m. Marching krewes and truck floats will not be allowed, and all parades must wrap up by noon. Collin Arnold, New Orleans’ director of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says the city made the most of a tricky situation.

Cut 12 (09) “…to reschedule.”

Arnold says while Mayor LaToya Cantrell certainly has input and influence, she’s not the final decision-maker in this instance.

Cut 13 (04)  “…of that decision.”

Arnold says not all floats are able to withstand high winds.

Cut 14 (12) “…wind as others.”

03.03.25
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11:40 LRN Sportscast

D-1 Baseball has the LSU Tigers ranked number one in the country after winning five games last week, including four in Texas and three at the Frisco College Baseball Classic. The Tigers completed their road trip with a 12 to 8 win over Sam Houston yesterday. LSU is scheduled to host North Dakota State tomorrow.

The Saints have the ninth overall selection in the NFL draft. And former LSU offensive tackle Campbell confirms one of the teams he spoke with at the Combine was the Black and Gold. He says it would be an honor to play for the Saints…

Cut 20 (14) “…everything to me.”

Campbell could be the first offensive tackle taken in the draft, but there’s a concern his arms are not long enough to play offensive tackle in the NFL.

 

The seventh-ranked LSU Lady Tigers coughed up a 15-point third quarter lead and lost to Ole Miss, 85-77 yesterday. It was LSU’s second consecutive loss and fourth loss of the season. Senior Aneesah Morrow scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, making it her 100th career double-double. After the game, Morrow said despite the loss, it’s a significant milestone.

Cut 16 (19) “…in this generation.”

LSU played yesterday’s game without Flau’Jae Johnson, who is dealing with a shin injury and Johnson will not play in this week’s SEC Tournament.

Semi-final action begins today in the girls high school basketball tournament. The first game of the day in Hammond is Lake View versus Midland, followed by Arcadia against White Castle, Summerfield plays Plainview, Simpson goes up against Reeves at 6:15 and the final game of the day is Academy Sacred Heart against Rosepine.

03.03.25
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10:30 LRN Newscast

The application window is open for families seeking state dollars to pay for private school tuition and other education related expenses. Germain Gilson with the state Department of Education says the state’s voucher program is moving to the L-A Gator Scholarship Program…

Cut 5 (14) “…are a priority”

Go to the department of education’s website for more information.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says construction on the infrastructure to support the new Buc-ee’s I-20 will begin this week. Walker says Buc-ees will be a major economic boost for Lincoln Parish and the region…

Cut 10 (15) “…it’s a huge plus.”

The threat of severe weather tomorrow has resulted in Jefferson Parish canceling Mardi Gras parades on Fat Tuesday. Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says the National Weather Service is reporting wind gusts over 40 miles per hour and up to 60 miles per hour is possible, so it’s not safe to have parades. Parades are still scheduled to roll in Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Houma-Thibodaux, but we’ll keep up updated.

With a measles outbreak threatening the state, Congressman Troy Carter is urging Louisiana residents to take precautions. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

 

03.03.25
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9:30 LRN Newscast

The application window for the new L-A GATOR scholarship program is now open.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Five people were injured following a shooting at the Pepe Mardi Gas Parade in Franklinton last night. One of the victims is in critical condition and two others are hospitalized in stable but guarded condition. Authorities say it was a gang related shooting and 18-year-old suspect has been arrested.

Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says construction on the infrastructure needed for the new Buc-ees’ on I-20 will begin this week. Walker says the eight-million-dollar project to improve the Tarbutton Road Interstate 20 interchange will take 10 to 12 months to complete,

Cut 11 (09) “…handle all the traffic”

Walker says it will take 12 to 15 months to build the Buc-ees travel store.

Officials have expressed concern that a measles outbreak in Texas could make its way to Louisiana. Congressman Troy Carter stresses the urgency of proactive measures to prevent further spread….

Cu 8 (10) “….through vaccinaton”

Carter encourages community members to stay informed, follow public health guidelines, and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others.

03.03.25
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7:30 LRN Newscast

With a measles outbreak threatening the state, Congressman Troy Carter is urging Louisiana residents to take precautions. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s frustrated that veterans are having trouble getting services from the Veterans Administration. So he’s introducing a couple of bills to help including the Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act.

Cut 15 (11) “…to other providers.”

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The application window for the new L-A GATOR program is now open. It opened at nine Saturday morning. L-A GATOR is the state’s new program that provides education scholarship accounts to families.   Germain Gilson, the assistant superintendent of the office of school choice says the money does not necessarily have to be used for private school tuition.

Cut 6 (12) “…or uniforms.”

Ruston will begin infrastructure work next week for the new Buc-ee’s, with travel center construction starting in about five weeks.  Mayor Ronny Walker called the project a major economic boost for Ruston, Grambling, and the region.

Cut 10 (15) “…it’s a huge plus.

03.03.25
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

The seventh ranked LSU women’s basketball team finished the regular season yesterday with an 85 to 77 loss to Ole Miss. The Lady Tigers were without superstar Flau’Jae Johnson, who was out with inflammation in her shin. Coach Kim Mulkey said especially since the game meant nothing in terms of their seed in the SEC Tournament, she sat Johnson….

Cut 17 (21)  “…decided after Alabama.”

LSU will be the three-seed in this week’s SEC Tournament.

The second-ranked LSU baseball team won all three games at the Frisco College Baseball Classic. The Tigers topped Sam Houston 12 to 8 yesterday. Josh Pearson, who was six for nine at the plate, was named tournament MVP.

Former LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is expected to be a top-ten pick in the NFL draft, but some question whether he can play tackle in the NFL because of his short arms. He measured 32 5/8 inches at the NFL draft combine on Sunday. NFL teams prefer tackles with 34 or 35 inch arms. Campbell is confident he can play offensive tackle in the NFL…

Cut 18 (18)  “…different defenders.”

Campbell was a three-year starter at LSU. In his final 30 games, he allowed only two sacks

The Saints are reportedly considering releasing 32-year-old safety Tyrann Mathieu before the start of free agency. The three-time All-Pro performer has one year left on his contract. Mathieu has 47 solo tackles and three interceptions last season.