Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

12.28.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 28

Multipe reports say offensive coordinator Matt Canada will leave the LSU football program following Monday’s game against Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl. Before the reports came out, head coach Ed Orgeron spoke about his relationship with offensive coordinator Matt Canada. It appeared there was tension between the two after the upset loss to Troy, but Orgeron says the offense has been fanatastic…
cut 17 (09) “….been great”
Meanwhile, LSU will be without three defensive starters for the bowl game. Donnie Alexander, Arden Key and Corey Thompson are injured, so K’Lavon Chaisson, Michael Divinity and Tyler Taylor will take their spots. Orgeron says they’ll have to step up…
cut 18 (13) “…answer the bell”

The Saints head into Sunday’s regular season finale against Tampa Bay, ranked second in the NFL in total yards per game. They are averaging nearly 400 yards a contest. Quarterback Drew Brees on the success of this season…
cut 20 (16) “….exceptional”
Following Sunday’s game, Brees will travel to Texas for funeral serviecs for his grandfater Ray Atkins, who pased away at the age of 92. Atkins is a World War two veteran and a longtime high school football coach.

The USA Today has named Richwood’s Robert Arvie as the high school coach of the year in Louisiana. Arvie led the Rams to their first appearance in a state championship football game in the Superdome. Hahnville Running back Pooka Williams is the offensive player of the year, while Scotlandville defensive back Kelvin Joseph is the state’s defensive player of the year.

12.28.17
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11:30 LRN Newscast December 28

The number of officers killed in the line of duty in Louisiana and around the country in 2017 dropped from the previous year. Kelley Ray has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Following Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay , Saints QB Drew Brees will travel to Texas for funeral serviecs for his grandfater Ray Atkins, who pased away at the age of 92. Atkins is a World War two veteran and a longtime high school football coach.

The Citrus Bowl will reportedly be Matt Canada’s last game with the Tigers after an inconsistent first year leading LSU’s offense under head coach Ed Orgeron. Glen Guilbeau, who covers LSU for the USA Today Network, says Canada and Orgeron butt heads throughout the year…
Cut 6 (10) “of the football.”
It’s been reported tight ends coach Steve Ensminger will replace Canada as offensive coordinator.

It will be a big weekend in New Orleans with the New Year’s Holiday. Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve will broadcast from the Riverfront on Sunday night and Monday night’ it’s the Sugar Bowl. Sugar Bowl Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Hundley, says their fan fest will open Saturday…
cut 10 (09) “…the public”

12.28.17
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10:30 LRN Newscast December 28

Governor John Bel Edwards is pleased with the state’s economic growth, as the state’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been since May 2008. Lake Charles and Baton Rouge metro areas continue to gain jobs and two-thousand new jobs are expected to be created with DXC Technology opening an office in New Orleans. But the governor acknowledges their job isn’t done yet…
cut 6 (09) “….way to go”

A special session could take place in February to address a looming one-billion dollar shortfall. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says his latest poll shows 46-percent of respondents support the Republicans plan to reduce the budget without affecting state services….
cut 15 (11) “…legislative sessions”

A popular resolution for the New Year is getting in better shape. That’s hard to do for many, especially for those who eat out. Dietician Rebecca Guidroz with the Louisiana Department of Health has this suggestion to help you succeed…
cut 13 (09) “….will come”
Guidroz says when it comes to weight loss, make sure your goals are specific and realistic.

A big weekend is coming up in New Orleans as college football fans will make their way into the city for Monday night’s AllState Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Clemson. Sugar Bowl Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Hundley, says Allstate is hosting a New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras Parade on Sunday afternoon…
Cut 9 (10) “the country.”
Hundley says the AllState Fan Fest is back for a 12th year and it opens Saturday in the parking lot of Jax Brewery.

12.27.17
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17:30 LRN Newscast December 27

Health officials thought we would have fewer flu cases by now, but it’s getting worse in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch with the state department of health says the spread will likely get worse before it gets better, and it’s not too late to get that flu shot…:
Cut 14 (09) “less severe”
Louisiana is leading the nation in the number of flu cases this year.

It’s been a cold day in Louisiana and it looks to stay this way and get even chillier into the New Year. State Climatologist Barry Keim says thermometers are slated to read in the low 20s along the I-20 corridor next Tuesday morning, and low 30s in the coastal zone…:
Cut 11 (08) “situation”
Light freezing rain is possible New Year’s Eve night in north Louisiana.

The US Department of Agriculture will test a new method in 2018 for controlling the rampant feral hog population that involves using sodium nitrite. It’s typically used as a meat preserver, and the salty flavor usually keeps wild animals uninterested. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says part of the testing will be finding out how to get the pigs to actually eat it…
Cut 4 (12) “eating it.”
Testing starts early next year.

An officer involved shooting is under investigation in Monroe. State Police trooper Michael Reichardt says the yet unidentified suspect was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries and charges are expected to be filed…
Cut 16 (07) “point tomorrow.”
Reichardt says a deputy fired his weapon after attempting to assist a motorist that he thought was stranded in the Lakeshore area of Ouachita Parish.

12.27.17
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16:45 LRN Sportscast December 27

The Saints returned to the practice field today to continue preparations for the regular season finale in Tampa Bay. Wide receiver Michael Thomas was one of seven Saints players not spotted at practice during the portion that’s open to the media. Starting tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk were also absent.

Both Alabama and Clemson arrived in New Orleans today for Monday night’s Sugar Bowl. It’s the fourth consecutive apperance in the College Football Playoff for the Crimson Tide. Head Coach Nick Saban his players are more concerned about the outcome of the game than the bowl experience, because they know it’s win or go home.

At the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Florida State fell behind six to nothing, but the Seminoles scored the next 33 points to beat the Golden Eagles 42 to 13. James Blackman threw four touchdown passes, three of them to Auden Tate.

Tonight in the Texas Bowl in Houston, it’s Missouri versus Texas.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron spoke today for the first time since the football program signed 21 players during the early signing period. The class is currently ranked as the 12th best in the nation and Head Coach Ed Orgeron is pleased with what they’ve done so far…
cut 30 (30) “…sign em”
LSU can only sign four more players. The team leaves tomorrow for Orlando where they’ll play Notre Dame on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl.

Tonight at the Smoothie King Center, the Pelicans host the Brooklyn Nets. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

12.27.17
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16:30 LRN Newscast December 27

Louisiana continues to lead the nation in flu cases. Tamiflu is flying off local pharmacy shelves. L-D-H’s Dr. Frank Welch says Tamiflu only shortens the illness by about a day, but it can help prevent complications and says it’s best when taken soon after the flu starts…
Cut 13 (10) “unfortunately”
Welch continues to advise residents to get a flu shot.

Louisiana was one of eight states that saw a population drop between July 2016 and July 2017. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s population decreased by fewer than 2,000. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the state’s budget crisis has not helped encourage job growth. And with a projected one-billion-dollar shortfall looming, a quick fix is not coming…
Cut 7 (04) “this point.”

Louisiana is experiencing a very cold day, and it will get even chillier into the New Year. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

There was a police shooting in Louisiana today. It happened in Monroe. State Police say a Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputy approached a stalled vehicle around 2 AM, shots were fired and a man inside the vehicle was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. No deputies were injured in the encounter.

12.27.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 27

The Saints can win the NFC South with a win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Playoff seeding is also on the line. If New Orleans is victorious and the Rams win, then the Saints will be the four seed and L-Ais the third seed. The Rams are resting their starters in the regular season finale against San Francisco. There could be an advantage to being the four seed, if you get past the first round, you could play the Eagles in the second round and Philadelphia looks vulnerable with starting quarterback Carson Wentz out for the season.

LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge and then it’s off to Orlando where they’ll play Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl. Running back Derius Guice was back at practice yesterday after missing practices last week.

Alabama and Clemson arrive in New Orleans today for the Allstate Sugar Bowl which will be played New Year’s Day night in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Its Florida State versus Southern Miss in the Independence Bowl this afternoon. It will be interesting to see what kind of motivation the Seminoles will have. They started out the year thinking about playing for a national championship, instead they went 6-and-6. It’s the final game for Golden Eagles running back Ito Smith, who has rushed for nearly 45-hundred yards in his career.

Karl Scott is the new defensive coordinator at UL Lafayette. The Houston native has coached the defensive backs at Texas Tech the last two seasons. This past season the Red Raiders forced 29 turnovers.

The Pelicans begin a three-game homestand tonight when they host the Brooklyn Nets. New Orleans is 17-and-16 on the year, while the Nets are just 12-and-21 and in last place in the Atlantic Division. Tip-off is at 7 PM.

The only game on the schedule in college basketball tonight, the Lady Tigers host Sam Houston State. Tomorrow, the LSU men’s team is at Memphis and Louisiana Tech is also in action as the Bulldogs are at Western Kentucky for the Conference USA opener.

12.27.17
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10:30 LRN Newscast December 27

Louisiana casino operators would like to build bigger entertainment venues, but for that to happen there needs to be a change in the legislation so they can build over land and not just water. Executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty….
cut 5 (08) “…the water”
Legislation could be filed this year that would allow the 15 licensed “Riverboat Casinos” to move their gambling operations to land.

The state has entered negotiations to purchase land near Thibodaux to relocate residents from an island that’s disappearaning as result of the rising sea level. The residents who live there are members of the Biloxi-Chitmacha-Choctaw tribe. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry….
cut 9 (10) “…themselves”
Berry says there are about 100 residents left on the island.
A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours…:
Cut 3 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting”

As the LSU football team continues preparations for the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame on New Years Day, players had a special visitor attend practice on Tuesday afternoon. Governor John Bel Edwards talked to The Tigers prior to workouts, and even joined in on a few plays…:
CUT 25 (03) “Tigers”
LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge before heading to Orlando. The Fighting Irish arrived in Florida yesterday.

12.22.17
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11:40 LRN Sportscast December 22nd

A dynamic and explosive running back from south Louisiana has decided to sign with Kansas. Hahnville’s Pooka Williams has been committed to the Jayhawks for several months and despite a recruitment effort by LSU, he decided it was best for him to play for the Jayhawks. Williams rushed for over 13-hundred yards in the postseason.

The Saints can win the NFC South this Sunday with a win over rival Atlanta and a Carolina Panthers loss. In the first game against the Falcons, New Orleans wasn’t able to get its running game going. Quarterback Drew Brees expects a big game this time from Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram…:
Cut 17 (15) “the job”
The Saints have placed safety Kenny Vaccaro on injured reserve. The free agent to be, may have played his last game with the Black and Gold.

The Pelicans have a chance to snap their two-game losing streak tonight when they visit the Orlando Magic. New Orleans lost to the Magic earlier this season 115 to 99. Orlando is currently on a six-game losing streak and they have the third worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The LSU basketball team hosts North Florida tonight at the PMAC. U-N-F will start four sophomores and a freshman tonight as they bring a 5-and-9 record to the PMAC. The 7-and-3 Tigers are coming off a 22-point win over Sam Houston State.

Funeral servies are today for Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Charlie Hennigan, who still holds two NFL receiving records. Hennigan starred for the Houston Oilers in the 1960s after a standout career at Northwestern State, where he excelled in both football and track. He still holds NFL records with three games of at least 200 yards receiving in a season and he also had seven straight games of at least 100 yards receiving in 1961.

12.21.17
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16:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Safety Kenny Vaccaro has been placed on injured reserve as a result of a groin injury, which means he’ll miss the rest of the season. He suffered the injury on November fifth and a source says it never healed correctly and it will require surgery.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says Arden Key will not play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s been dealing with injuries all season long. Starters Donnie Alexander and Corey Thompson will also not play as they are also banged up.

On the first day of the early signing period, LSU signed 10 offensive and defensive linemen, including six-foot-one defensive tackle Davin Cotton from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says Cotton has great upper body strength and an explosive first step to shed blockers…
Cut 18 (12) “defensive linemen”
The early signing period ends tomorrow.

Louisiana Tech won its fourth straight bowl game last night, crushing SMU 51-10 in the Frisco Bowl. The defense returned two interceptions for a touchdown and quarterback J-Mar Smith completed three touchdown passes and rushed for a score.

The federal tax reform bill means fans can no longer deduct the donations they make for the right to purchase season tickets for college athletics. Kelley Ray looks at what it means for LSU…
Voicer 5 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”