Author Archives: Jeff Palermo

07.19.18
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14:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry is blaming Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards for not doing enough to execute death row prisoners. The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010 and since then there’s been a shortage in the drugs needed to carry out death sentences. But the A-G’s Sloicitor General Liz Murril says….
cut 29 (07) “….overcoming those obstacles”
Edwards says under current Louisiana law the state can’t follow the protocol on carrying out a lethal injection because of the drug shortage.

Friday is the deadline for Louisiana homeowners who had flood damage in 2016 to fill out a survey to participate in the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. The governor’s Communications Director Shauna Sanford says 52,500 homeowners have completed the survey that can result in federal assistance for home repairs…
Cut 12 (09) “…over the phone”

Louisiana’s Republican House members have voted for a resolution that expresses support for Immigrant and Customs Enforcement Agents. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise from Jefferson Parish….
cut 10 (07) “…our country”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calls the resolution a political stunt.

Good news for those who want to use a technique called eyebrow threading to remove unwanted hair around the eye brows. Institute for Justice attorney Renee Flaherty says after a two-year legal battle the state board of cosmetology no longer requires eyebrow threaders to undergo 750 hours of training, which she says is not needed…
cut 7 (10) “….simply don’t do”
Eyebrow threaders are still required to take a test to receive a permit.

07.19.18
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LRN PM Newscall July 19th

North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has been tagged to help negotiate the differences between the Senate and House’s farm bill. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana homeowners who suffered flood damage in 2016 have until tomorrow to fill out the Restore Louisiana Survey. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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North Louisiana Congressman Ralph Abraham has been named to the conference committee that will try to resolve differences in the Senate and House’s Farm Bill. The Farm Bill sets agriculture policy for the next five years, and also houses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Abraham says he’s looking for big changes to the food stamp program.

 

Cut 3 (07) “to work.”

Abraham says he’ll be pushing the conference committee, made up of select House Representatives and Senators, to adopt a program he’s pushing that would facilitate educational and vocational training for SNAP beneficiaries.

Cut 4  (11) “for that.”

Farm Bill discussions are hitting just as the Chinese trade war ramps up, with the eastern power targeting US agricultural products in response to the Trump Administration’s initial round of tariffs. Abraham says while that trade war heats up, he wants to make sure Louisiana growers are protected.

Cut 5  (10) “these tariffs”

The current Farm Bill expires at the end of September.

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Practitioners who use the hair-removal technique known as eyebrow threading no longer need 750 hours in order to work in Louisiana. Institute of Justice attorney Renee Flaherty says the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology has a new policy that doesn’t require expensive training.

Cut 6 (10)  “…with the state.”

Flaherty says the Institute for Justice filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Cosmetology on behalf of two eyebrow threaders in order to change the previous mandate for 750 hours of training, which is not needed to be an eyebrow threader.

Cut 7 (10)  “…simply don’t do.”

Renee believes the Board is doing the right thing and she says this will allow hundreds of threaders and their clients to practice the ancient grooming technique.

Cut 8 (10) “…back to work.”

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Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is lashing out against US Senate Democrats who blocked a House resolution from Congressman Clay Higgins that endorses the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. Higgins says the movement to abolish ICE endangers national security and threatens ICE agents.

cut 9 (09)  “American citizens”

ICE has become a controversial agency in recent months, as the agency that has been tasked with carrying out the Trump Administration’s immigration policies such as family separations and detainment of asylum seekers.

Congressman Steve Scalise praised ICE agents for their work tracking down and deporting tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants from American communities.

Cut 10 (07) “our country”

But Immigrant advocates say ICE is being used to terrorize immigrants in Louisiana who are not a threat to public safety and who moved to the state years ago to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Congress of Day Laborers Organizer Rachel Taber says the mass marches against the agency last month show its time for a change.

Cut 11 (12) “of immigrants.”

Higgins’ resolution passed the House 244-35. A similar resolution that would denounce those who call for the agencies abolishment has been brought in the Senate by John Kennedy.

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Friday is the deadline for Louisiana homeowners who had flood damage in 2016 to fill out a survey to participate in the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. The governor’s Communications Director Shauna Sanford says 52,500 homeowners have completed the survey that can result in federal assistance for home repairs…

Cut 12 (09)   “…over the phone”

Sanford believes those that have not yet completed the survey are hesitant to do so, due to receiving other forms of government assistance.

Cut 13 (11) “…from the Restore.” 

Many recipients for SBA loans have not been able to access money from the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. But Sanford says Congress could make changes to the guidelines, making more flood victims eligible for additional federal assistance…

Cut 14 (10) “…out that survey”

Eligible homeowners have been offered grant awards totaling 348-million dollars through the Restore Homeowner Assistance Program. The survey can be found at restore.la.gov or call 1-866-735-2001.

07.19.18
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13:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Louisiana homeowners who suffered flood damage in 2016 have until tomorrow to fill out the Restore Louisiana Survey. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barhart”

The state department of corrections says two Angola inmates serving a life sentence were found dead in their cells this morning. It’s believed they died from a drug overdose. Corrections officers are conducting a shakedown of all cells as they try to determine how the prisoners got a hold of the drugs.

The U-S House has approved Representative Clay Higgins’ Resolution that affirms congressional support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Higgins says ICE agents play a critical role in stopping human, drug and weapons trafficking. But Congress of Day Laborers Organizer Rachel Taber disagrees with the role ICE plays…
cut 11 (12) “….of immigrants”

Practitioners who use the hair-removal technique known as “eyebrow threading” no longer need to undergo hundreds of hours of expensive training to work in Louisiana. Institute for Justice attorney Renee Flahert says after a two-year legal battle, the state’s Cosmetology Board has a new policy…
cut 8 (10) “…back to work”

07.19.18
by

12:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation is lashing out against US Senate Democrats who blocked a House resolution from Congressman Clay Higgins that endorses the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE. Higgins says the movement to abolish ICE endangers national security and threatens ICE agents.
cut 9 (09) “American citizens”
But Immigrant advocates say ICE is being used to terrorize immigrants in Louisiana who are not a threat to public safety.

Eyebrow threaders no longer have to spend 750 hours in order to receive esthetician license. Institute of Justice attorney Renee Flaherty says the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology is now allowing eyebrow threaders to work without having to undergo irrelevant and burdensome training.
Cut 6 (10) “…with the state.”
Eyebrow threading is an ancient grooming technique that removes unwanted hair around the eyebrows.
Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish will have a major say on what the final version of the Farm Bill will look like. He’s been named a member on the conference committee that will attempt to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versionsl. The Farm Bill also contains the regulations for the nation’s food stamp program and Abraham says he wants language that would require work and educational training for able-bodied SNAP recipients…
cut 4 (11) “….for that”
The current Farm Bill expires at the end of September. Abraham is confident a new Farm Bill can be sent to the President before then.

07.19.18
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10:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has been an obstacle in efforts to carry out executions of death row prisoners. The governor has responded by saying there’s a lack of availability of drugs to carry out lethal injections…
cut 8 (10) “…made available’
But Landry says Louisiana could expand the options to carry out a lethal injection, which has happened in other states.

Bayou Bridge pipeline protesters are demanding a face-to-face meeting with Governor John Bel Edwards as they are concerned about safety of residents in St. James Parish, because of the new pipeline. But Edwards says when it comes to safety, pipelines are a much better option than the alternatives….
cut 14 (10) “…and accidents”

Today is day two of qualiying for the November sixth election as Louisiana’s six US house members are up for re-election. Four of them have drawn challengers, including Republican Clay Higgins who will have three opponents, two Republicans and one Democrat. Qualifying ends tomorrow afternoon.

An LSU PhD student is working on a way to better predict the effects of flooding from a hurricane. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 1 (33) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

07.19.18
by

8:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has been an obstacle in efforts to carry out executions of death row prisoners. The governor has responded by saying there’s a lack of availability of drugs to carry out lethal injections…
cut 8 (10) “…made available’
But Landry says Louisiana could expand the options to carry out a lethal injection, which has happened in other states.

A handful of protesters attempted to stop Governor Edwards from walking into the L-R-N studios for his Ask the Governor monthly call-in show. They are upset over the construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline…
cut 12 (10) “….evacuation route”
Edwards says he’s spoken with St. James Parish officials and there are no major concerns about the pipelin.

LSU P-H-D student Felix Santiago-Collazo is working on developing a new hurricane computer model that predicts both rainfall runoff and storm surge. Santiago-Collazo wants to make sure emergency planners take into account the combined effect of both rainfall and storm surge during a hurricane…
cut 6 (12) “….on that”
Felix hails from Puerto Rico and survived the devastating Hurricane Maria last September.

Congressman Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish will have a major say on what the final version of the Farm Bill will look like. He’s been named a member on the conference committee that will attempt to iron the differences between the House version of the Farm Bill and what the Senate passed. The current Farm bill expires in September.

07.19.18
by

7:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry is putting blame on Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards for not doing enough to execute death row prisoners. The last execution in the state was in 2010 and since then there’s been a shortage in the drugs needed to carry out death sentences. But the A-G’s Sloicitor General Liz Murril says….
cut 9 (07) “….overcoming those obstacles”
Edwards says under current Louisiana law the state can’t follow the protocol on carrying out a lethal injection because of the drug shortage.

Over a dozen Bayou Bridge protesters attempted to break into the Louisiana Radio Network studios, site of the monthly Ask the Governor talk show, to demand an audience with Governor Edwards….
cut 11 (08) “….chanting”
The protesters are concerned the pipeline, which is under construction, will prevent an evacuation route out of a St. James community, if there’s a chemical accident. Edwards has been a supporter of the Bayou Bridge pipeline.

LSU PH-D student Felix Santiago-Collazo is attempting to develop a new hurricane computer model that can predict both rainfall runoff and storm surge. Last September, the native of Puerto Rico survived Hurricane Maria…
cut 5 (09) “…this study”
Santiago-Collazo hopes his new hurricane computer model can help emergency planners determine where extreme flooding may occur.

Much of the state will be under a heat advisory this afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mario Valverde says it will be even warmer tomorrow, with triple digit readings in north and central Louisiana…
cut 16 (06) “….D-F-W area”
The intense heat will remain in place over the weekend.

07.19.18
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6:45 LRN Sportscast

With training camp set to start next week, the Saints have added another veteran running back to the roster. The team inked former Patriots and Giants ball carrier Shane Vereen, who is more of a pass catcher then a true running back. He caught 44 passes for the Giants last season and rushed for 164 yards.

Louisiana Tech, who is picked to finish second in the West Division of Conference USA, appeared at the league’s media day yesterday. The Bulldogs return eight starters on offense, including four of their top five pass catchers. Teddy Veal told Watch ESPN they can be explosive on offense…
Cut 18 (21) “our offense”
Coach Skip Holtz says returning starting quarterback J-Mar Smith has grown mentally.

The Southland Conference Media Day takes place today in Houston. Northwestern State’s Brad Laird and Southeastern’s Frank Scelfo are among the first-year head coaches that will be in attendance. While McNeese and Nicholls State will be among the favorites to win the league.

Meanwhile, at SEC Media Days, Alabama Coach Nick Saban made it clear he doesn’t know who his starting QB will be between two-year starter Jalen Hurts and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa…
Cut 20 (20) we’ll see”
LSU will host Alabama on November 3rd, they’ll likely have their quarterback situation figured out before then. LSU will reportedly play this season without Jamal Pettigrew, who injured his A-C-L.

07.19.18
by

6:30 LRN Newscast July 19th

Over a dozen Bayou Bridge protesters tried to force their way into Louisiana Radio Network studios when Governor Edwards showed up for his monthly call-in radio show. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A heat advisory will be in effect for most of the state this afternoon as the heat index values could surpass 110 degrees. National Weather Service Meteorologist Mario Valverde says the hot temperatures are expected to last a while…
Cut 15 (06) “…heat of the day”

In an open letter from Attorney General Jeff Landry to Governor John Bel Edwards, Landry blamed the governor for the lack of executions in the state since 2010, saying victims’ families suffer in legal limbo while waiting for justice to be carried out. Edwards responded during his “Ask the Governor” radio program, saying Landry had not attempted to contact him or his office and the letter was out of the blue.
Cut 7 (07) “…October of last year.”
And Edwards says the state can not carry out an execution because of a national shortage of drugs that could be used in Louisiana for a lethal injection, but Landry points out that executions are taking place in other states.

07.18.18
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LRN PM Newscall July 18

A recent request for a change of venue in a court case involving a gun charge is getting plenty of attention, but not because of the nature of the crime.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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The Louisiana Health Department reports the first six human cases of the West Nile Virus has been detected. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A six-month-old baby in Natchitoches is dead after a kidnapping that ended with authorities finding the child covered in severe burns. Last night Natchitoches Police responded to a call from a mother who said her child had been stolen after a home invasion at her residence in Mayberry Trailer Park. Captain Christopher Payne says the mother was blindsided.

 

Cut 3 (09) “mace.”

Payne says after the home invaders knocked at the door and maced the mother who answered, the mother momentarily retreated while the attackers entered her home.

Cut 4  (06) “baby missing.”

Natchitoches Police, Sheriff’s deputies, State Police, and Northwestern State Police scoured the area for the child. An hour after police responded to the mother’s initial call, Payne says they got a second call from someone reporting that a barn had caught fire about three miles north of the trailer park.

Cut 5  (09) “its body.”

The baby was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, where he was airlifted to University Health, where he later died.

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Can a black person get a fair trial in a courthouse with a confederate statue in front of it?  Attorney Niles Haymer says he doesn’t believe so.  Haymer has a black client currently facing a gun charge, but has requested a change of venue from the East Feliciana courthouse.  He says his client is intimidated by a thirty-foot soldier at the entrance of the building.

Cut 6 (07)  “…at the courthouse.”

Haymer says it’s a very controversial and divisive issue and that the statue is a political statement.

Cut 7 (08)  “…make political statements.”

Haymer says the issue of confederate symbolism at courthouses is a widespread issue around the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…at our courthouse.”

Twentieth Judicial District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla has responded saying the presence of the statue outside of the 1800s era courthouse is no reason to change the location of the trial.

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The Louisiana Health Department announces six people have been diagnosed with the West Nile virus. It’s the first human cases of 2018. Assistant State Health Officer, Doctor Parham Jaberi, says the public should take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites

cut 9 (12)  “we can”

Jaberi says 80-percent of people who get West Nile are unaware they have the virus, as they are asymptomatic. But he says in this latest report, three of the cases are the more serious form of the disease

Cut 10 (12) “…the hospital”

The three cases of Neuroinvasive Disease were found in DeSoto, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa Parishes. Jaberi says they are not surprised to see their first human cases of West Nile..

Cut 11 (10) “…surveillance.”

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The Secretary of State’s race is officially on as qualifying is underway. Democrat Renee Fontenot Free, the director of the Public Protection Division in the state A-G-‘s office, and Republican former state legislator A.G. Crowe joined the race today. Crowe says if elected, he would focus on upgrading the office’s technology, to better protect election privacy and integrity.

Cut 12 (10)   “highest level”

Crowe says he plans on running a clean campaign, and rejecting the common political impulse to attack his rivals in the race.

Cut 13 (10) “my opponets” 

Fontenot Free says if elected, along with maintaining a non-partisan approach, she would focus on the state’s sagging level of voter participation, specifically in state and local elections.

Cut 14 (10) “about it”

Political analysts consider the Secretary of State’s race to be one of the more difficult offices to obtain, due to its lower profile and lack of abundant money that’s usually available in more partisan legislative races. Free says she won’t be relying on big money backing to push her over the finish line.

Cut 15 (08) “warchest”

The election is November 6th.